Collection: Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort

Overlooking the mouth of the River Tyne, Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort guarded the main sea route to Hadrian’s Wall. It was a key garrison and military supply base to other forts along the Wall. Arbeia is an important part of the history of Roman Britain and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

Hadrian’s Wall is the most impressive survival of the frontier works which marked the limits of the Roman Empire. Although South Shields fort was not actually on the line of the Wall it was an essential part of the frontier system. It controlled the port on the riverside, where most of the traffic passed between Hadrian’s Wall and the south.