Birdoswald Roman Fort | Exploring Cumbria
Having an English Heritage membership is paying dividends this half term, giving us free days out to explore. With John at work, I decided to brave a day out with our four babes alone. Read on to check out our visit to Birdoswald Roman Fort, including the ‘Kids Rule’ event they had running for the half term holiday.
About Birdoswald Roman Fort
Birdoswald - known as Banna during the time of the Roman Empire - is home to the longest surviving stretch of Hadrian's Wall and the remains of a Roman fort. The fort was occupied by Roman auxiliaries from approximately AD 126 to AD 400.
Whilst there is a fair amount to explore, they have not finished excavations yet. Plans for further excavations have been made to 2026, so who knows what more will be there to check out in the future.
Where can I park?
Birdoswald has its own car park, but as it is also used by those wanting to walk the Hadrian's Wall Path. This means it is set a short walk from the Birdoswald site, but it offers plenty of space for you to park up and visit.
To find the car park nearby, use this post code: CA8 7DD
What is available at Birdoswald Roman Fort?
The fort ruins
The ruins of the headquarters, barracks and more are partially excavated and can be explored with ease. Simply follow the signs, head through the gate and into the field where the ruins of the fort lie.
To make the exploring a bit more exciting for children they have created a quest with clues to decipher. Crack the clues to move onto the next, have a go at replica Roman games and more as you walk around the site. It worked wonders to keep my older children occupied and they loved every second.
Special events
Occasionally English Heritage likes to host special events at their sites, and Birdoswald is one of them. In the May half term they ran an event called ‘Kids Rule’. During the event they taught the children about Roman history, how and why Romans joined the army, and even a few Latin words. They also gave them a chance to learn how to become legionaries - including how to use a traditional stabbing sword and shield.
Read the signs and discover more about the heritage
All around the main site of Birdoswald Roman Fort there are a variety of signs to be found. They detail different features and history associated with Birdoswald Roman Fort, from what it looked like to how they defended it. Squidgy in particular showed great interest in reading the signs, and learning everything she could.
FAQs about our family days out
Is it suitable for children?
A fair amount of Birdoswald is actually geared towards children, ensuring this is 100% a child-friendly day out. It's not just the activities they have designed for children that make it family-friendly, however. The girls led the charge on finding other ways to enjoy themselves, even if it was only rolling down the hills.
Are there facilities available?
Just inside the entrance to Birdoswald, in the main courtyard, you will find accessible toilets including baby changing facilities.
Is there anywhere to eat nearby?
Birdoswald does have a small tea room and occasionally, an ice cream van too. We didn't stop off in the tearoom as it looked too busy, however we did pop via the ice cream van on the way back to the car. It is not on site all the time, and the prices are not cheap, but it does sell locally sourced products and it was a special treat - so I didn't mind spending a little extra (especially as they were so well behaved while we were out!)
The length of Hadrian's Wall from Northumberland to Cumbria offers so many amazing places to explore, including Sycamore Gap to Vindolanda and of course Birdoswald. My family love the opportunity we have to explore these places and I can't wait to share more with you.
For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces England has to offer, check out my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in the Lake District and Cumbria? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.
Pin It!
Check out the beautiful Buttermere Circular, with all the info you need to plan your own visit.