Explore the magic of Roman History at Binchester Roman Fort, a living, breathing slice of our Roman past. Nested in the beautiful County Durham landscape, the fort is wonderfully well preserved and offers an exciting glimpse of what Roman life was like. Excavated in 1815, the site has served as a visitor attraction since 1972.
The Fort was founded in 80 AD and was occupied for 400 years, and for a time was one of the largest Roman military installations in Northern Britain. It was large enough to have facilitated a battle-group made up of several cohorts of legionary infantry and troops of auxiliary cavalry. Visitors can observe and engage with a variety of activities and re-enactments on event days, each as exciting and dramatic as the next. Visitors can spectate fights between Romans and Celts, immersing themselves in the brutal majesty of our country’s past.
The site has two bath-houses, kept pristine and in line with the designs they were originally founded on. One bath-house has had its protective structure replaced in 2018 with improved interpretation and decoration, and in doing so keeping true to its original brilliance. The site is abundant in fun things for visitors to participate in and is ideal for an educational and fun day out for children, with an education room, artefacts, puzzles, playroom and picnic area.
The Fort holds various events, notably a Roman Festival Weekend, held on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July in 2019, wherein demonstrations of archery, slingstaffs and the firing of a full-size artillery catapult can be watched. Weapons, armour and equipment of Roman soldiers are also exhibited along with stalls of civilian traders and artisans. A guided tour of the site is also available, proving as informative as it is exciting. On Monday 26th August Roma Antiqua, Barbaratus and various mercenaries will be at the Fort once again displaying fighting skills and weaponry.
The Fort is the perfect day out for families and budding explorers, as well as accommodating school groups and excursions, with a school room, workshop activities and guided tours. The site also caters for people in wheelchairs and or with prams, with level access to all attractions. The site has plans to replace and update visitor facilities and each summer is the scene of research excavations in order to bring further information forward for the public.
T 01388 663089
www.durham.gov.uk/binchester