Trifter

Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum at Wallsend on the north bank of the River Tyne is an exciting, interactive museum.

Wallsend, as its names implies was the anchor fort at the eastern end of Hadrian’s wall.  It is the most extensively excavated site in the whole of the Roman Empire and has the only reconstructed Roman bath house in Britain.  The 100 feet high observation tower gives stunning views over both the fort and the surrounding area, including the River.

The Roman Galley is based on the Courtyard and Headquarters and contains interpretations of a cavalry barracks block, the Commanding Officers’ house, a granary and a hospital block.  There is an impressive model of the site with an interactive virtual tour of the fort, which allows the exploration of individual buildings, Over 700 artefacts excavated at the site are combined in a display with the latest computer interactives to show the modern style of museum presentation.

Wallsend was noted for shipbuilding and coalmining.  The Industry Gallery has two sections.  The Shipbuilding Display shows the global impact of companies like Swan Hunter.  There are ship models and a computer generated walk though the first class section of RMS Mauritania, one of the greatest ships ever built on the Tyne.  Wallsend Colliery is featured in the Coalmining Display with original safety lamps and replica tools.  A 10 minute film presentation shows how Wallsend ha changed from Roman times to the Industrial Revolution and how the area appears now.

The Roman Bath House is a full sized reconstruction of the one that was excavated near Chesters Roman Fort along Hadrian’s Wall.  It contains replica toilets and fresco wall artwork based on paintings discovered at Pompeii and in various villas around Britain.  Visitors go through the changing room, then pass through the series of cold, warm and hot rooms.  The bath is heated by a coal fired furnace, feeding the hypocaust that carries hot air under the floor and through the hallow walls.

An 80 metre stretch of original wall, the highest in Tyne and Wear at eight courses high stands to the west of the fort with a reconstructed section nearby.  Archaeologists working in the area were surprised to find that part of the original wall had collapsed in Roman times, probably due to the river washing away the ground from under it.

School visits must be booked in advance on 0191 236 9347.  Bookings are confirmed by post along with a teachers’ pack.

Flavia, a Roman lady introduces visitors to life in the Roman army.

Special workshops, such as a Soldiers’s Life, a Soldier’s Tale and Soldiers’ Training or Gladiator games are held at the site.

Bath House Activities allow children to study replica Roman artefacts or make a Roman sandal and build a hypocaust.

Segedunum offers curriculum links with history at Key Stages 1 to 4 standard, local studies, art, maths, local history, GNVQ: leisure and tourism, archaeology, classical studies and Latin.

There are two discovery boxes for the under fives.  The Roman Builder’s Box helps them to learn about pulleys, plans and building in the roman Gallery.  They can find out about the different parts of water craft and celebrate the launch of a ship and sail it on the sea in the Industry Gallery.  Both packs are suitable for either nursery or Key Stage 1 children.

Fabulous finds is a literacy pack that follows the English Curriculum and is aimed at years 2 and 3 children.  It provides activities for the classroom that are based around a letter and research activities at the museum.

Segedunum has a level access route which avoids ramps or steps, Lifts are available and there are accessible toilets.  It has facilities for blind and partially sighted people and deaf people and those who are hard of hearing.  Assistance and guide dogs are admitted and there are staff available to give assistance if required.  There are baby changing facilities on site.

Hot and cold meals and drinks are on offer and the site has a gift shop.

Parts of the complex can be hired for corporate entertainment, conferences, functions, seminars and training courses.  The facilities include PowerPoint, a PA system, OHP, flip charts, TV and video and slide projection.

Segedunum is open from 09:30 to 17:30 daily between April 1 and October 31