Corbridge Roman Town
No Roman campaign at this northern edge of the known world (that’s pretty much how the Romans saw it anyway - shades of ‘there be monsters’ lay beyond!), was possible without the garrison town of Corbridge.
 Northern Horizons, HWHL_128_634600790898985000.JPG)
 Northern Horizons, HWHL_128_634600790845391250.JPG)
An audio guide brings the story of the town to life and the modern museum has a fascinating array of finds. Writing tablets found at Vindolanda show that troops from Vindolanda were stationed here at times, or came here on leave. Walk along the main street of this Roman garrison town, flanked by the remains of granaries, a fountain house, markets, workshops and temples. It was the most northerly town in the Roman Empire and one of only two on Hadrian’s Wall, the other being at Carlisle.
The most famous finds include a hoard of Roman armour and other equipment and the stone Corbridge Lion whose image is used to guide children on a trail round the museum. The open space of the former forum is used for events during the summer.
The site is managed by English Heritage. Light refreshments, books and souvenirs are available at the visitor centre.
More information
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/corbridge
1 Apr-30 Sep, daily 10am-5.30pm (last admission 5pm)1 Oct-4 Nov, daily 10am-4pm
5 Nov-28 Mar, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan Closed
Admission: adults £5.00, concessions £4.50, children £3.00. (01434) 632349
Access
Sat Nav: NE45 5NT
Regular train services between Newcastle and Carlisle stop at Corbridge. The Roman site is a 20-30 minute walk from the train station.
Regular bus service between Newcastle and Hexham/Carlisle stop at Corbridge.
Other things to do
The pretty market town of Corbridge boasts a plentiful array of shops, tea rooms, art galleries pubs, craft, gift and local produce shops. The river banks offer pleasant walking and if you cross the bridge and take the southern bank walking west, you will discover the original Roman bridge abutments where Dere Street (the Roman road between York and Scotland) would have crossed the Tyne.
If you would rather take a stroll out of the town then head up to Medieval Aydon Castle (English Heritage), perhaps the finest preserved Mediaeval manor house in England. This pleasant walk takes about an hour and crosses farmland and meanders through pretty ancient woodland.
Other local places of interest just a short drive or train journey away:
Dilston Castle
Dilston Physic Garden
Fififofum Fine Art Gallery (Newton)
Hexham Abbey
Hexham Moot Hall
Hexham Old Gaol
Queens Hall (Hexham)
Tyne Green Country Park (Hexham)
In Corbridge and Hexham there are Tourist Information Centres.
