Binchester fort hopes to be an attraction

Jun 29 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

In 2007, TV’s Time Team broadcast from the site and uncovered mausoleums on the road to the fort and signs of the extend of the original base.

County archaeologist and Binchester project director Dr David Mason said: "Only a tiny proportion of the fort and its civil settlement have been excavated and the Time Team investigation demonstrated the site is of even greater importance and extent than hitherto believed.

"This programme of digs is one of the most exciting and ambitious in County Durham for many years. Binchester has the potential and it is just a case of it being realised."

The long-term hope is that Binchester could help balance a situation where Northumberland and Tyneside have the major Roman visitor attractions.

The adjacent Binchester Hall, formerly a nursing home, has been acquired by the Church Commissioners and there are hopes that it could become the fort museum. Excavated items from the fort would be brought back to the site from storage in the Bowes Museum in County Durham.

This year’s dig continues until August 7 and the work will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm on weekdays. There will also be guided tours during the Roman Festival at Binchester on July 25 and 26. Admission is £2.25 for adults and £1 for concessions and children aged five to 16.