Chesterholm Museum - Vindolanda

Chesterholm Museum sits on the archaeological site of the Roman fort and settlement commonly known as Vindolanda in Northumberland, England. It interprets finds from the site and supports public access to ongoing excavations.

The museum interprets material from the Roman fort of Vindolanda, which was established by the late 1st century AD and remained occupied into the early 5th century AD. The site has been excavated extensively in the 20th and 21st centuries and continues to produce finds that the museum conserves and exhibits.

The site and museum lie in rural Northumberland near the line of Hadrian’s Wall, on private farmland that contains earthworks and stone remains from the Roman fort and settlement.

• Notable finds: Houses artefacts recovered from the Vindolanda excavations, notably fragile organic finds such as leather, textiles and the site's wooden writing tablets dating to the Roman period.
• Occupation period: The Roman settlement at Vindolanda was occupied from the late 1st century AD through to the early 5th century AD, so exhibits cover several centuries of military and civilian life.

What to See #

• Museum collection: Located on the Vindolanda Roman site in Northumberland, adjacent to the visible remains of the fort and vicus; the museum displays finds recovered from the ongoing excavations.
• Excavation trenches: The archaeological site contains multiple open excavation trenches where visitors can view active digs and in-situ Roman remains during the main visiting season.
• Fort and site remains: The museum is sited beside earthworks and stone foundations belonging to the Roman fort and settlement known as Vindolanda, with interpretive displays close to the visible ruins.