Segedunum Roman Fort — Gateway to Hadrian’s Wall

Where Hadrian’s Wall Meets the Sea

At the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall, Segedunum Roman Fort guarded the approaches to the River Tyne for nearly 300 years.
Located in Wallsend, near Newcastle, its name means “Strong Fort” — a fitting title for a frontier outpost at the edge of the Roman Empire.

Today, its excavated fort, museum, and viewing tower give visitors a vivid look at life on the ancient border.

A Strategic Roman Stronghold

Segedunum was founded in AD 122, the same year construction began on Hadrian’s Wall.
It housed around 600 soldiers, mostly cavalry and infantry who protected the river crossing and monitored movements beyond the frontier.

The fort remained active until the 4th century, later disappearing beneath industrial development — until 20th-century excavations revealed its layout once again.

Therefore, Segedunum stands today as one of the most complete Roman forts in Britain.

Exploring Segedunum Roman Fort
1. The Excavated Fort

Walk through the fort’s foundations and imagine barracks, workshops, and commanders’ quarters in their original positions.
Information panels explain daily life for the troops — from training routines to border surveillance.

2. Viewing Tower

A 35-metre high tower provides a bird’s-eye view of the entire fort and the line where Hadrian’s Wall once continued eastward.
This helps visitors grasp the scale and importance of the frontier system.

3. Reconstructed Bath House

A full-scale Roman bath house reconstruction shows how soldiers relaxed and socialised after patrols.
Inside, displays explore Roman hygiene, rituals, and engineering innovations.

4. Fort Museum

The museum features artefacts discovered on-site — including weapons, pottery, coins, and personal items.
Interactive exhibits and models bring Roman culture to life for families and history enthusiasts alike.

A Living Part of Roman Britain

Segedunum isn’t only archaeology — it’s storytelling.
Events and re-enactments recreate legionary drills, military tactics, and Roman crafts.
Furthermore, its riverside location highlights how geography shaped defence strategies along Hadrian’s Wall.

Stand on the ramparts and picture the soldiers who watched this frontier nearly 2,000 years ago.

Visiting Segedunum
How to Get There

Address: Buddle Street, Wallsend NE28 6HR

By Metro: Wallsend Station — 5-minute walk

By Bus: Regular services from Newcastle

By Car: Free parking available

Opening Hours & Admission

Open daily (seasonal hours); small admission fee, concessions available.

Facilities

Visitor centre and museum shop

Café and picnic areas

Step-free access to most areas

Family trails and learning hub

For more information please visit Segedunum Roman Fort official website

Nearby Attractions

Arbeia Roman Fort — Supply base for Hadrian’s Wall

Tynemouth Priory — Dramatic coastal ruins

Great North Museum: Hancock — Roman collections in Newcastle

Wallsend Walkway & Hadrian’s Cycleway — Trails tracing the wall’s route

Together, they form the Tyneside Roman Frontier Trail.

Why Visit Segedunum Roman Fort?

The Segedunum experience makes the Roman frontier real.
It’s one of the best places to understand how soldiers lived, worked, and defended Rome’s northern edge.

Whether you explore its ruins, climb the viewing tower, or dive into the museum’s stories — Segedunum brings history to life in unforgettable ways.

It’s not just a fort — it’s the beginning (or end) of an empire.