Overview: History, what to expect, and unique features
Chesters Roman Fort (Cilurnum) is one of the best-preserved cavalry forts along Hadrian’s Wall. Built around AD 124, it was garrisoned for centuries by a 500-strong unit of auxiliary cavalry, the Ala Secundae Asturum, recruited from Spain. Unlike many other Roman sites, Chesters is uniquely known for the survival of its exceptionally preserved bath-house, located beside the River North Tyne.
Visitors can expect a pleasant and comparatively flat walk through river meadows leading to the extensive ruins of the fort and bath-house. The site offers a peaceful atmosphere with excellent views of the Wall as it descends toward the river. The visit is complemented by the Clayton Museum, which houses a nationally important collection of Roman finds, inscriptions, and altars collected by the 19th-century antiquarian, John Clayton, who saved the fort from destruction. Chesters is a key UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by English Heritage.
To book Chesters Roman Fort tickets online, head here.
Chesters Roman Fort opening times
The fort and museum are open year-round, but specific hours vary by season. Visitors should confirm the schedule on the English Heritage website for the exact date of their visit.
- Summer season (29 March to 25 October): Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
- Winter season (26 October to 27 March): Open weekends and school holidays from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
- Last entry: Last admission to the site is generally one hour before closing (e.g., 4:00pm in summer, 3:00pm in winter).
- Closures: The fort and museum are closed on 24, 25, and 26 December.
Chesters Roman Fort admission fees and tickets
Admission prices cover both the fort ruins and the Clayton Museum. As with other English Heritage sites, the best value is secured by purchasing tickets online in advance. The prices are annoyingly seasonal too – you’ll pay more in peak summer holiday season.
| Ticket type | Online price (Super-saver tickets, checked December 2025) | On-the-day price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (17+ years) | £9.00 | £10.90 | Online booking is recommended to guarantee the lower price. |
| Concession (65+ / Student) | £8.10 | £10 | Applies to seniors, students, and jobseekers with valid ID. |
| Child (5-17 years) | £5.40 | £6.80 | Children under 5 are admitted free of charge. |
| Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) | £23.40 | £28.60 |
Free entry: Admission to the fort and museum is free for English Heritage members. The site is not part of the National Trust scheme.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Accessibility, parking, and the site terrain
Chesters offers better accessibility than some of the hill forts on Hadrian’s Wall, but access to the ruins is limited.
- Parking: A free car park is available on site for visitors.
- Museum/Shop: The museum and shop are fully accessible with level or ramped access. Accessible toilets are also available.
- Fort Ruins: The main fort area and the adjacent bath-house ruins are accessed via grass paths. Due to uneven ground, steps, and soft terrain in wet weather, access to the ruins can be difficult for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
- Assistance: English Heritage staff can advise on the best route for wheelchairs and pushchairs, primarily around the museum and introductory sections.
Five great things to do in Northumberland
- 🏛️ Discover Roman Britain on a full day tour along Hadrian’s Wall.
- 🎬 Visit the filming locations for Vera on a day tour from Newcastle.
- 🌊 Take a guided Pilgrims Path walk across the sands to Holy Island.
- 🏰 Explore Harry Potter’s Hogwarts at Alnwick Castle.
- 👻 Learn about Hexham’s gruesome, dark side on a storytelling tour.
Nearby attractions for Chesters Roman Fort
The fort is ideally located for combining a visit with other Roman and local history sites along the Wall:
- Corbridge Roman Town: Located a short drive south, this was a Roman supply base and town, distinct from the military forts, offering a unique perspective on life on the frontier.
- Housesteads Roman Fort: The most complete fort on the Wall, located a few miles west, known for its dramatic location and intact latrines.
- Hadrian’s Wall Path: The route runs directly through the site. Visitors can walk east or west for a short stretch of the Wall Path.
- Hexham: A nearby market town featuring Hexham Abbey, a site with deep historical roots stretching back to Anglo-Saxon times.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the site suitable for wheelchairs? | The museum and shop are accessible. However, the external fort ruins are over uneven, grassed terrain and may be difficult for wheelchairs, especially in wet conditions. |
| Is the bath-house ruin worth seeing? | Yes, the bath-house is Chesters’ most famous feature and is one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman bath-house in Britain. It requires a short walk from the main fort area. |
| Are dogs allowed at Chesters? | Dogs are welcome on the grounds of the fort, provided they are kept on a lead at all times. They are not permitted inside the museum. |
| Is there a charge for parking? | Yes. Parking costs £3 in the on-site car park at Chesters Roman Fort. However, parking is free for English Heritage members. |
| How long should I plan to spend here? | Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours exploring the museum, the fort ruins, and the bath-house. |
More Northumberland travel
Other Northumberland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- How to get the best out of a visit to Alnwick Castle.
- A practical guide to Dunstanburgh Castle.
- Kielder Observatory visitor guide.
- Seals, saints and stars on a journey around Northumberland.
- A first time visitors’ guide to Bamburgh Castle.
