Some of the building projects he undertook still survive today with the most famous one being the wall across Britain that was named  Hadrian’s Wall after him. Hadrian’s Wall was built, beginning in 122, to keep Roman Britain safe from hostile attacks from the Picts. It was the northernmost boundary of the Roman empire until early in the fifth century.

The sheer scale of this incredible wall combined with the four seasons, the living landscape and the people who live, work and visit here mean it is an ever changing canvas. It is where history is accessible to all, where adults and children learn and it is where the Romans are still part of everyday life 1,600 years after they left. It is indeed a spectacle of world class archaeology.

The wall, stretching from the North Sea to the Irish Sea, was 80 Roman miles (about 73 modern miles) long, 8-10 feet wide, and 15 feet high. In addition to the wall, the Romans built a system of small forts called milecastles (housing garrisons of up to 60 men) every Roman mile along its entire length, with towers every 1/3 mile. Sixteen larger forts holding from 500 to 1000 troops were built into the wall, with large gates on the north face. To the south of the wall the Romans dug a wide ditch, (vallum), with six foot high earth banks.

Today, despite many of the stones having been carted away and recycled into other buildings, the wall is still there for people to explore and walk along. This is definitely a place to visit!