Official Website of Hadrian's Wall Country

Housesteads Roman Fort will be closed this winter from 16 October 2011 for re-development by English Heritage, National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority. The English Heritage facilities including the visitor centre, toilets, museum, shop and disabled parking will be closed, but visitors are still welcome to view the fort itself free of charge during this time.
 
Visitors and schools can use the toilets and shop at the National Trust Visitor Centre (Open daily 10am to 4pm - closed 25 and 26 Dec and 1 Jan) and the car park remains open. The new and improved Housesteads Museum will re-open to the public and schools in Spring 2012.

Housesteads has it all: magnificent ruins, a museum and truly spectacular views. This iconic (yes, we know, that’s an overworked word but when you get here you’ll see what we mean) site was kind of an afterthought; like Chesters, it formed the second part of the ‘grand plan’ for the frontier and was an addition to Hadrian’s Wall.

Perched commandingly high on the exposed escarpment of Whin Sill, the aptly named ‘hilly place’ is the most complete Roman fort in Britain and really does control this wild landscape. Perhaps it’s the position, perhaps it’s the completeness of the remains; whatever it is, this fort really does manage to convey the spirit of the past as well as the beauty of the present.

Unusually for a Wall fort, Housesteads is aligned towards the rising sun rather than towards the enemy. So, this makes the East gate the main gate – the deeply worn wheel ruts are still visible. Exactly 1.4m apart. So what? you may say. Well, that was the standard Roman cart axle width which set the standard for …. the British standard railway gauge. Those Roman cart-makers had no idea what they were starting.

The museum here contains a complete model of how Housesteads would once have appeared. Have a good look before exploring the real thing. The magnificent ruins include granaries, barracks, hospital and a renowned multi-seated latrine (now that’s communal living for you). The four double-portal gateways are clearly visible and the perimeter wall is intact. In the kitchen of the Commanding Officer’s House nestles the oven, and the hypocaust (underfloor heating system to you and me) is clearly visible. Just what was required during a long cold winter.

Over in the hospital is a room that has been identified as the probable site of the operating theatre; now that really wouldn’t be our idea of fun. Even more interesting, and certainly less worrying, are the loos. Carefully placed at the lower end of the fort (hmmm, think about it), they were fed by water that drained out of the fort altogether. Modern loos have been built now - more effective, no doubt, but definitely less interesting.