Vindolanda

Arrive at the extensive and fascinating site of Roman Vindolanda with its superb Museum – home of Britain’s top treasure, the Vindolanda writing tablets.

Explore Vindolanda,the most excavated site on the Roman Frontier, and our world class museum with its ‘not to be missed’ outstanding collection of Roman objects.

40+ years of active archaeology has brought this Roman frontier site and its people straight from the past right into the present.

Archaeological Site

Vindolanda lies just to the south of the curtain wall of Hadrian’s Wall and has a very different ‘feel’ to other sites along the Wall. It lies upon the first Roman frontier in the north – The Stanegate Road and in a stunning landscape which lets your imagination really connect with its past. You will probably visit Vindolanda by driving or walking along this road to reach the fort and museum. Although first built by the Roman army before Hadrian’s Wall Vindolanda became an important construction and garrison base for the Wall, a Hadrian’s Wall fort in its own right. During this time Vindolanda was demolished and completely re-built no fewer than nine times. Each re-build, each community, leaving their own distinctive mark on the landscape and archaeology of the site.

After Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman occupation was abandoned by its imperial armies Vindolanda remained in use for over 400 years before finally becoming abandoned in the 9th century.

The Museum

As you pass through the museum you will encounter a whole range of personal belongings lost, left or scattered by the Roman inhabitants including shoes, textiles, coins, jewellery, pottery and so much more.

Vindolanda Museum