Roman Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum

Explore the remains and uncovering of an ancient Roman fort. Then visit the Roman Army Museum.

Before, during and after Hadrian's Wall

Vindolanda lies just to the south of the curtain wall of Hadrian's Wall and has a very different ‘feel’ to other sites along the Wall. It lies upon the first Roman frontier in the north – The Stanegate Road and in a stunning landscape which lets your imagination really connect with its past.

You will probably visit Vindolanda by driving or walking along this road to reach the fort and museum. Although first built by the Roman army before Hadrian’s Wall Vindolanda became an important construction and garrison base for the Wall, a Hadrian’s Wall fort in its own right. During this time Vindolanda was demolished and completely re-built no fewer than nine times. Each re-build, each community, leaving their own distinctive mark on the landscape and archaeology of the site. 

After Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman occupation was abandoned by its imperial armies Vindolanda remained in use for over 400 years before finally becoming abandoned in the 9th century. 

Live Excavation Experience

The excavations at Vindolanda, set in its stunning landscape, aim to unravel the mysteries of its nine Roman forts/towns and countless communities. It is a huge and complicated task which is undertaken by a dedicated team of professionals leading a veritable army of volunteers. Come and see what the archaeologists discover, the excavations rarely disappoint, and continue to provide some of the most stunning examples of Roman and early British material culture to come from nine forts and nine centuries.

The physical remains include some of the following:

• A large Pre-Hadrianic bath house and a beautifully preserved 3rd century bath house.

• Several commanding officer’s residences and barrack buildings

• A headquarters building

• 3rd and 4th century evidence of village houses and workshops, latrines, and a Roman Celtic temple to an unknown Romano Celtic God.

• The only temple to be found on display to a Roman god inside an auxiliary fort anywhere in the Roman Empire (Jupiter Dolichenus).

• A Post-Roman mausoleum and late Roman Christian churchReplicas of a Roman temple and shop, a Romano-British house and replica sections of Hadrian's Wall in turf timber and stone

Added to all of this is the stunning Museum on the site, housing the cream of the Vindolanda Trusts collection from its on-going excavations.

The collection includes the famous writing tablets (Roman post cards covered in ink handwriting), the finest collection of Roman footwear from the Roman Empire, textiles, pottery, militaria and personal items from the communities that lived there. 

Roman Army Museum

Lying in magnificent countryside next to a sweeping section of Hadrian's Wall and based at the site of Carvoran Roman Fort, the Roman Army Museum is an authentic and dramatic tribute to Rome’s extraordinary military legacy.

Step into the life of a Roman soldier and experience life on the front line of Emperor Hadrian’s formidable British frontier. Explored through reconstructions, objects excavated along Hadrian's Wall and the Vindolanda Trust’s inspiring interpretations of army life including the exclusive 3D Edge of Empire film, the museum pays unforgettable homage to Rome's military accomplishments in Britain.

The Museum

This very spacious must-see museum stands next to Walltown Crags, one of the highest standing sections of Hadrian’s Wall. Fabulous new exhibitions in three exciting galleries allow you to immerse yourself in the life of the Roman army - there is nothing else like this on Hadrian’s Wall!

When you enter Gallery 1 you walk straight into the role of the army in the Roman Empire. Watch the Empire expand and contract, learn more about the strength and variety of different types of soldier, look at real Roman artefacts from Vindolanda including the only Roman helmet crest ever to be discovered, listen to the recruiting officer and decide whether to join up.

Now take a time line walk into Gallery 2 where the main room is devoted to Hadrian’s Wall with a spectacular image banner of truly monumental proportions. A side room highlights the successful invasion and occupation of Britain by the Romans and leads to the 3D film theatre. The 3D film gives an aerial view of the Wall as it is today then transports you back nearly 2000 years to Roman times for a truly memorable time travel experience.

You now have time to visit Hadrian and find out more about his life from boyhood to Emperor and frontier builder before entering Gallery 3 where the daily life of the multi-cultural army on the Wall awaits.

Schools

We have a long tradition of welcoming all types of groups and schools to our two sites of Roman Vindolanda and The Roman Army Museum here in the fabulous central section of Hadrian's Wall.

Many have caught the Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum bug and return again and again. Whether you are a teacher looking for ideas and curriculum support or a coach tour operator planning new packages or routes we are here to help with our decades of experience dealing with your individual needs. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us. We value personal contact and are happy to bespoke any aspect of your visit to our wonderful attractions. 

The Roman Army Museum is equipped with the superb 3D Eagles eye film, the perfect way to start your visit to Hadrian’s Wall. It also has the engrossing and fun virtual Latin lesson in our Roman classroom, this is engaging for all ages and abilities. The Roman Army Museum is all indoors and carefully designed to be openly accessible to all abilities and ages so you can guarantee that whatever the weather, or mobility of your group, you will have a great experience. 

At Vindolanda you can take advantage of the free site talks offered by our archaeological staff to groups that number 15 or over. These give a personal introduction to the remains and an opportunity to directly engage with specialists who work at the site and to tap directly into their considerable knowledge. Between April and September the Vindolanda excavations continue with live archaeology taking place. Here you can watch the site being carefully uncovered and witness some of the remarkable discoveries as they happen before your own eyes. 

Once you have made your visit with us you can see what happens next by keeping up to date with the museums and excavations and events through our website, twitter and facebook. Your visit and the resources that go with it don’t have to stop when you leave us.