Hadrian's Cycleway - Roman Antiquities

Birdoswald Fort and Museum
On Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72

Birdoswald was a major Roman military fort built to protect Hadrian's Wall and a crossing over the River Irthing.
The fort is remarkably complete, and offers an enjoyable glimpse of life on the Roman frontier long ago. The site covers about 5 acres on a high spur of land overlooking the river gorge.

It is unique because at no other point along the Wall can all the components of the
Roman Frontier system be found in such a small area.

At Birdoswald you can see the early turf wall built in AD 122, over the original fort.
The turf wall, stone wall, and the fort itself are all visible reminders of the Roman occupation.

Hadrian's Cycleway passes the fort before turning north and on to Gilsland.

Follow Marcus or Tony for an interactive tour of the Birdoswald Roman Fort.
As it was in Roman times and the remains that can be seen today.

North Cumbria Tullie House Museum - Carlisle This Museum contains material relating to the Roman military from Carlisle's two forts, and activities connected with the western part of Hadrian's Wall. Material is displayed from many sites, including Birdoswald, Stanwix, and Burgh by Sands. Life in Roman Carlisle, including writing tablets, jewellery, sculpture, domestic activites and burials are also depicted. For more information Click Here For Museum Website Click Here Roman Antiquities - Hadrian's Wall The western 30 miles of Hadrian's Wall was first built of turf, with stone turrets. This section went from Bowness-on-Solway, on the West coast, to the River Irthing near Harrow's Scar, Milecastle 49. Within about ten years, the turf wall was replaced with stone. These turrets were later incorporated into the stone wall. Between Banks and Birdoswald - Hadrian's Cycleway closely follows the line of the Wall. The first remains to be seen are at Leahill Turret 51B. Banks East turret 51A is passed next, along with a short stretch of wall leading up to Pikes Hill Signal Tower. At Birdoswald remains of the Roman fort can be found with a length of the original turf Wall later replaced by the stone Wall slightly to the north. Note:- convention is to number the Milecastles and Turrets from east to west. The Milecasatles were one Roman mile apart about with two turrets equidistant in-between. One Roman Mile approx. 0.93 Modern Mile or 1.5 Kms Cross section of typical Hadrian's Wall Defences Layout of Milecastles and Turrets Hadrian's Wall Remains (Banks to Birdoswald)
Banks East Turret 52A with Pike Hill Signal tower on crest of hill. On Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72	Leahill Turret 51B On Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72
There were two turrets, at 1/3 mile intervals in between the milecastles. These were designed for temporary occupation by soldiers patrolling the wall, and had an upper floor with ladder access, and a wall walk. There are also remains of turrets 51A & 49A further eastwards just before Birdoswald Fort. All these turrets are alongside the road that Hadrian's Cycleway follows, and are in the care of English Heritage. Information panels are provided at each turret, with drawings showing how they may have looked. Remains of Turret 49A and Hadrians Wall
Pike Hill Signal Tower On Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72	Pike Hill Signal Tower - close up view On Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72
A hundred metres east of the Banks East Turret 52A is the Pikes Hill Signal Tower. From its 45º orientation and the kink in the Wall, it is evident that Pike Hill was a pre-existing structure which was later incorporated into the stone Wall. The Stangate runs some way to the south here, across the Irthing river, and a forward signal tower would have been an ideal means of keeping watch to the north, and alerting troops at Nether Denton Fort located on the Stangate about a mile to the south-east across the river. Pikes Hill Signal Tower stands alongside the route of Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72.
Hadrian's Wall Milecastle	Hadrian's Wall Turret
Birdoswald Fort and Museum On Hadrian's Cycleway NCN 72 Birdoswald was a major Roman military fort built to protect Hadrian's Wall and a crossing over the River Irthing. The fort is remarkably complete, and offers an enjoyable glimpse of life on the Roman frontier long ago. The site covers about 5 acres on a high spur of land overlooking the river gorge. It is unique because at no other point along the Wall can all the components of the Roman Frontier system be found in such a small area. At Birdoswald you can see the early turf wall built in AD 122, over the original fort. The turf wall, stone wall, and the fort itself are all visible reminders of the Roman occupation. Hadrian's Cycleway passes the fort before turning north and on to Gilsland. Follow Marcus or Tony for an interactive tour of the Birdoswald Roman Fort. As it was in Roman times and the remains that can be seen today. MarcusTony Courtesy of Wallnet - Hadrian's Wall Education Website.