THE Romans were no slouches when it came to home comforts – Housesteads fort on Hadrian’s Wall had sophisticated communal latrines with running water, a bath house, and under- floor heating in the commander’s Mediterranean-style quarters.

But these pictures show that this National Trust holiday home – which has been unveiled just 100 yards from the fort – has brought living on the Wall up to 21st-century standards.

The 19th-century mock-Tudor farmhouse was built by antiquarian, lawyer and landowner John Clayton, who was town clerk of Newcastle for 45 years and inherited the Chesters estate further east along the Wall.

What is on offer is at the farmhouse is a distinct improvement to that which was available to its original occupants, who farmed the area and also acted as Wall custodians.

The spectacular landscape vistas from the Whin Sill ridge on which the house sits are the same, as will be the views of the fort, which renters will have to themselves after it closes to visitors for the day.

But the farmhouse has more up-to-date features such as an eco-friendly air-source heat pump and solar panels.

The building has also been double glazed and fully insulated. And there is a TV, DVD player, dishwasher, fridge freezer, combined washer-dryer, and enclosed garden.

On the ground floor is the entrance porch, large kitchen/dining room with multi-fuel stove, cellar, bathroom with shower over bath, toilet, single bedroom, and sitting room with open fire.