Birdoswald Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall — Attraction in Waterhead

It was OK. I think they've made the most of it with information plaques and a planned route to walk. But ultimately its the remnants of an old wall, not a huge amount of it left and nothing else really there to see. If you're into British Roman history it's worth a visit but as a historical visit alone, I certainly wouldn't rush back. There are only two disabled bays and it was a little pricey for what was there: I think it was £10 per adult? Over-priced for some old bits of wall scattered about and some printed words on placards every now and then. And the staff were a little odd but mild and massively over-precautionary when it came to a "sheer" drop on one side of the hill beside the wall... My 60yr old father moved closer to the edge of where we were standing, to get a picture and an excitable teacher-like figure sprung into action and threw herself as quickly as she could over the lumpy field, mud shooting everywhere, hair flapping about like an old dishcloth and upon reaching him, flushed and sweating rather, firmly reminded us all with a fixed and serious gaze that there was indeed a dangerous drop quite close to where he was standing, which was reassuring because he had obviously already seen it and was taking pictures of said drop, so at least we all know he isn't going blind. And funnily enough, the photographs he was taking while she tried to catch her breath and I started considering CPR, had the sign which said "sheer drop" directly in them. She wanted to make it absolutely clear in that same firm and serious tone that should my rational, sensible thinking father decide to test gravity and throw himself from the dangerous drop, then she would somehow be responsible and would lose her job... I'm not sure what sort of sense that makes, obviously it does to her, to us it was confusing and strange and a little offensive for my ex-military father to be treated like five year old by someone who was wearing velcro strapped shoes. But, hey ho. It always makes for a memorable trip when you encounter unnecessary and bizzare behaviour! But anyway, the wall was fine. Solid 5/10. (See pic 2 for dangerous...

Birdoswald Roman Fort is a fantastic place to dive into the history of Hadrian’s Wall and really imagine what life must have been like on the edge of the Roman Empire. Set in a beautiful, dramatic landscape with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, it’s one of the most evocative and accessible spots along the wall.

From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, happy to answer questions and point out the best ways to explore the site. It’s clear they are passionate about the history and genuinely want visitors to have a great experience.

The visitor centre is excellent, with plenty of information displays that are interesting without being overwhelming. The facilities are also top-notch — clean toilets, a nice little café for a post-walk coffee or snack, and a well-organized layout that makes it easy to navigate.

One thing that stood out was the souvenir shop. It’s full of cool Roman-themed gifts, from books and replicas to fun items for kids. It’s much better than the typical tourist fare you find at many sites — definitely worth a browse.

The fort itself is incredibly atmospheric. You can walk among the ruins, stand in the remains of ancient buildings, and really get a sense of the scale and significance of the place. There’s also easy access to stretches of Hadrian’s Wall for those wanting a longer walk through the landscape.

The only downside to the visit was the broken ticket machine in the car park. Instead of being able to quickly pay and display, you have to go up to the visitor centre first to pay for parking, then head back to your car to put the ticket on display. It’s a small hassle but slightly annoying, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating or if you have mobility issues.

That said, this was a minor inconvenience in an otherwise wonderful visit. Birdoswald Fort offers a perfect blend of history, scenery, and good facilities, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in Roman Britain or just looking for a beautiful and fascinating day out...

Mum came to stay from East Anglia so it seemed appropriate to share some local history. I did my research as she's over 80 and walks with a rollator. All the staff we encountered were superb and super helpful. I was able to use the disabled parking right next to the centre and cafe. The car park is down the steep hill, so was not suitable on this occasion. If you're not an English Heritage member there are fees for parking. Mum was able to navigate all of the ruins and chilled out on a bench under the trees whilst I explored further afield. The information available allowed us to picture what the site might have been like back in the day. We took a stroll around the exhibition element which had some fabulous activities for children, including lego so they could build their own wall!! The accessible gift shop had a good range of practical, fun, and local products alongside the regular souvenirs. We had a lovely cuppa and snacket in the café. The facilities were ideal, all accessible, and you didn't need to buy a ticket to use the shop, cafe, and toilets either making it a perfect stop for anyone walking Hadrian's Wall too. There were a number of short walks available, with nearby sections of wall, mile castle, turrets, and lots of picnics occurring among the young families which was lovely to see. You can pre-book or buy tickets on the day. Pre-booking online is slightly cheaper, and members get free entry. I will definitely use the café facilities again and it's a perfect goto for any guests I have who want to visit Hadrian's Wall. Mum had a...