One of 16 forts built as part of the Hadrian’s Wall frontier system, today the ruins of Birdoswald Roman Fort are some of the best preserved of any along the Wall.
Birdoswald’s history began when a wooded spur was cleared for the building of Hadrian’s Wall in AD 122. The fort, added to the Wall shortly afterwards, was garrisoned by an infantry cohort of over 800 men and remained in occupation throughout the Roman period. Its defences are the best preserved of any along the Wall.