Britain is the site of many Roman ruins, these include the stunning and posh town of Chester, various Roman roads, Hadrian's Wall, and many other sites. Almost all the Roman ruins are in England and Wales, while many people may think that Hadrian's Wall is the border of England and Scotland, it is actually located entirely within England. The Wall has many defensive forts along with it and one of the best evacuated is the Roman fort of Vindolanda. These are some of the best Roman ruins to visit.
All About Vindolanda
Vindolanda was a Roman auxiliary fort near Hadrian's Wall. The Roman name for this sort of fort was "castrum." This is a word that survives in English cities' names that grew out of these Roman forts as "Chester" like in the names of Manchester, Chester, and Worchester. This is one of the best excavated Roman forts in Britain and the site was occupied from around 85 AD to 370 AD (the Roman occupation of Britain lasted from 45 AD and gradually petered out around 410 AD.
Today Vindolanda is located in Northumberland and would have guarded the Stonegate - an important Roman Road running south of the wall linking the Roman forts.
- Fun Fact: The Roman Name For North Of The Wall (What Is Basically Scotland) Was Caledonia (Scotland Is Named For The Scotti - The Irish Tribe That Invaded Later)
Some of the archeological finds of note at Vindolanda are weighted dice and unfairly weighted merchant scales (people around here were cheats apparently). But perhaps the most interesting are wooden leaf tablets that miraculously survived. These were the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain when they were discovered. They are letters and notes written by the soldiers stationed here and offer an intimate glimpse into the life and times of the Romans in Britain.
Visiting Vindolanda
Today you can visit the site of Vindolanda. It has been extensively excavated (around 24% has been excavated and excavations are continuing). There is also a museum at the site showcasing the history of the Romans here.
- Admission: £8.30 or $11.50 Adult Admission To The Vindolanda Site
- Admission: £6.89 or $9.50 Adult Admission To The Roman Army Museum
- Fun Thought: Hadrian's Wall Was The Inspiration For The Wall In Game Of Thrones - So One Can Also Fancy Vindolanda As Being Castle Black
Hadrian's Wall
About Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall wasn't the only wall the Romans built across northern Britain, there was also the Antonine Wall that was built 20 years after Hadrian's Wall. This wall was earthen, located in the Scottish Lowlands and little of it survives today. It wasn't long before the Romans abandoned it in favor of the more practical Hadrian's Wall.
- Date Built: Construction Began 122 AD
Roman frontiers weren't like in A Song Of Ice And Fire. Instead, they were often trading posts and the Romans would have relations with the peoples and tribes living on the other side. They would trade with them and recruit soldiers from them. The Roman world tended to fade at the frontiers. While it can be said that the Wall marked the end of the Empire the actual reality on the ground was a little fuzzier.
- Fun Fact: Hadrian's Wall Never Formed The Border Between England And Scotland
- Length: 73 Miles or 117.5 Kilometers
As well as being militarily defensive, the wall was probably also economic servicing as a sort of customs post.
Today significant portions of the wall still survive and it can be explored by hiking along the Hadrian's Wall Path. It is the largest Roman archeological ruin in Britain and has been UNESCO-listed since 1987.
- Fun Fact: England Is Named After The Angles (Angle-land) And Wales Is The Old English Word For "Foreigner"
The construction of Hadrian's Wall marked a shift in Roman strategy. Up to around this point the Romans had been expansionary, but this, together with other fortifications around the Empire became more defensive in nature. There was very little expansion after this date.
What To Do At Hadrian's Wall
Today you can walk along the trail running along the wall. If you like there are more Roman attractions and events around the wall and across the country. A list of the various attractions and activities can be found on English Heritage's website. There are numerous forts and other sites - Vindolanda is just the largest and best known.
Other Roman forts include:
- Birdoswald Roman Fort
- Chesters Roman Fort
- Corbridge Roman Fort
- Housesteads Roman Fort
Unlike Vindlonda, these are all managed by English Heritage. There are also numerous trails:
- The Housesteads Trail: Follows Less Well Known Sites
- The Chesters Trail: Follows A Tranquil Section Of The Wall
- The Corbridge Trail: Heads Into Newcastle-upon-Tyne And Mixes Urban With Rural Settings
Hadrian's Wall is regarded as one of England's greatest national treasures and it is a great opportunity to learn about the farthest reaches of the powerful Roman Empire. Just if you go, don't expect a Game Of Thrones-style wall of ice, nor are the Scots to the north wildlings.
If you are planning to visit England be sure to explore Hadrian's Wall and the Roman Fort at Vindolanda.