Romans Close to Hadrian's Wall

Birdoswald.
Chesters.
Housestead.
Vindolanda.

What do they have in common?  The Romans built them, lived in them, moved away and left them.  They are each in a different state of research, discovery and reconstruction.  They are each unique and interesting. We visited all of them.

The section of Hadrian's Wall at Birdoswald is in the best condition.

Birdoswald was a farm with several buildings built from the wall's stones.

Chesters Fort looking across the river to the old bridge supports built by the Romans. The bridge is gone but the supports remain.

The Baths at Chesters Fort were large and very elaborate.

Raised floors for underfloor heating  in the Prefect's house at Chesters Fort.

Model of Housestead when the Romans were there.  They are fairly sure how it looked, as all forts were built along the same plans and architectural style.

A collection of objects found at Housestead.

Housestead today, this is the granary where enough stores for the entire garrison for 6 months were kept.

A young Roman fighting his way though Vindolanda!  He was quite dramatic, even "impaling" himself on his sword, followed by lying very still while dead.

Vindolanda has been excavated and rebuilt for the past 40 years.  This year they are celebrating the 1800th anniversary!

Volunteers work every summer at Vindolanda, digging and sorting the next area.

Also not to be missed, but they didn't allow photos, so.....is the Roman Army Museum, associated with Vindolanda.  The information is superb and presented in a very fun and interesting way.  They also have models of the tools and weapons that you can pick up and play with.  Some of the weapons were incredibly heavy!