History Destinations

Northumberland: Romans, Vikings and Britain's frontier

from £206pp

Based on 2 days, for 40 people

Suitable for Secondary Schools, Primary Schools

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Overview

Hidden under its guise of rolling hills and serene villages, Northumberland has bore witness to Roman invasion, Viking attacks and Anglo-Saxon battles. Uncover the truly tumultuous past in the county with most recognised battle sites and castles!

Understand life under Roman rule at the Vindolanda Fort before seeing Northumberland from a whole new level at Bamburgh Castle. Plus, you may be able to spot a seal or two at Lindisfarne Nature Reserve- if you're lucky!

Our Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Coach transfer to Northumberland.

Begin your trip with a visit to Vindolanda Fort and Roman Army Museum. As a Roman auxiliary fort, this site was under Roman occupation from roughly 85AD to 370AD! Today, it houses a world-class museum telling its winding and interesting Roman story.

After lunch at the fort, you'll be heading to the Housesteads Roman Fort, Britain's most complete Roman fort! At the interactive exhibition, you can learn more about how soldiers and their families lived on this wild northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

The final fort of today is Chesters Roman Fort and Museum. As the best preserved Roman cavalry fort in Britain, you can find out about the Roman cavalry troops based here, the elite of the Roman auxiliary forces.

Now is the time to check in to your accommodation before dinner tonight.

You can choose to dine at the accommodation or to enjoy a group meal at a local restaurant.
Day 2

After breakfast at your accommodation, you'll be heading straight up and out this morning!

You'll begin your day at Lindisfarne Priory and Museum. Lindisfarne was one of the most important centres of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England (for over a century!). This is why it is commonly referred to as Holy Island! It was abandoned during the infamous Viking raid of 793 AD.

It's now time to decompress slightly at Lindisfarne Nature Reserve, home to native seals! You will be able to try to get a peek of one from a safe distance.

Bamburgh Castle is your next destination. Having stood guard above the Northumberland coastline for over 1400 years, Bamburgh Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Plus, it's an incredibly picturesque place to eat your packed lunches!

To conclude your information-packed trip, you can spend some time at the Bede Museum at Jarrow Hall. This museum takes you through the story of Bede, an author, scholar, linguist, translator and proto-astronomer from the Anglo-Saxon period.

Coach transfer back to your school.