Things to see and do
See the longest stretch of Hadrian's Wall
Discover one of the most awe-inspiring views in the north of England. Birdoswald Roman Fort sits on the longest continuous stretch of Hadrian's Wall which still remains today.
Stand on the same ground as Roman soldiers who once patrolled and guarded their empire. And be blown away by the most famous Roman frontier spanning as far as the eye can see before you. This incredible feat of Roman engineering has dominated the landscape since AD 122.
Step into the Roman story
March like a Roman soldier through a four meter high gatehouse to find the new exhibition. Get your head around the history of Hadrian's Wall with lots of hands-on fun and games.
Big and little kids alike can get creative with bricks to discover how the Wall was built. Take a quiz to work out what role you would have played in the Roman army and summon your troops with a signalling game as you find out about what the Wall was for.
You can even take a peek through a periscope to see the same view as the Roman look-outs, at the original height of the Wall. The exhibition is the perfect place to start if you're new to Roman history.
Explore the landscape
Look no further than the cliff edge to get a taste of the fort's surroundings. The vista over the Irthing valley will take your breath away. Once you've seen the view you won't be able to resist venturing out into the countryside beyond the Birdoswald - rugged and unchanged for centuries.
Lace up your walking boots and set out to see the impressive remains of all of the Wall's defining features. Nearby you'll find Harrow's Scar milecastle (a type of small fort), a turret (49b) and the Roman bridge abutment at Willowford.
Grab a bite to eat
Relax after your adventure with a hearty Cumbrian dish or a Roman refreshment.
We have a selection of sandwiches and soups, and you can satisfy your sweet tooth with one of our cakes and desserts. We've got a whole range of hot and cold drinks to quench your thirst, and there are plenty of children's options on the menu too.
Pull up a chair inside the rustic style café or kick back on a picnic bench outside. Peckish walkers, cyclists and passers-by are welcome too.
You can find allergen and nutritional information here.
Get hands-on with the family
Dive into the story of Hadrian's Wall with the help of our life-sized illustrated Roman characters. Enjoy plenty of play and discover as you go - we'd recommend taking a turn on the have-a-go crane to find out what skills were needed to build the Wall.
Head out to the fort and get exploring with a clue-cracking quest. Have a go at replica Roman games and activities as you find out more about life at Birdoswald during the Roman era.
If you need it, take time out in the new family room. There's space to sit or feed, a sink to use as you need and Roman themed soft play to keep little ones busy.