Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium)

The basics

Originally called Vercovicium, Housesteads is Britain’s most complete example of a Roman Fort. Visitors buy tickets to explore independently: roaming the crumbled relics and visiting the museum to view soldiers’ possessions and virtual recreations of the original buildings.

Housesteads features on many Hadrian’s Wall tours, providing the bonus of round-trip transport and guided commentary. Tours typically run from places such as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Windermere, and Hadrian’s Wall locations. Choose from small-group or private tours that cover Housesteads and attractions such as Vindolanda Fort and the Roman Army Museum; or guided wall walks that visit the fort. International travelers can purchase sightseeing cards such as the English Heritage Overseas Visitors Pass, which includes access to Housesteads and money-saving entry to numerous other attractions.

Things to know before you go

• Allow around 1-2 hours to explore.
• On-site facilities include restrooms, a gift shop selling snacks and drinks; picnic benches, and indoor seating.
• The museum and visitor center are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. Wheelchair access to the fort involves steep terrain, so requires a companion.
• There’s a fairly strenuous 10-minute walk from the visitor center to the fort.

How to get there

Housesteads sits north of Haydon Bridge on the A69 between Carlisle and Newcastle, and is best accessed via tours that include round-trip transport and other Hadrian’s Wall locations. Public transit is limited, with the nearest bus stop from Newcastle at Allen Bank on the A69. Hadrian Wall’s buses run daily to Housesteads during summer from Haltwhistle train station. Drivers reach Housesteads via the A69, turning northward from Bardon Mill to reach it via the B3618.

When to get there

Housesteads is open daily excluding major public holidays. The fort is popular, especially during spring, summer, and fall weekends; and school vacations. To avoid the busiest times, visit on weekdays or early or late in the day.

What Not to Miss at Housesteads Roman Fort

A wander around the fort ruins reveals the layouts of the Roman barracks, granaries, hospitals, and communal latrines. Having explored here, visit the museum to see visual recreations of the fort in its heyday and fascinating displays of Roman artifacts. Treasures include Roman jewelry, pots, and parts of a soldier’s shoe, all excavated at the site.