The Shared Horizons Project at Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland has received a significant funding award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A development grant of £286,623 has been awarded to English Heritage for the initiative that is being run in partnership with the National Trust and Northumberland County Council.

This funding represents an important next step in delivering the long-term project to transform the historically significant site on Hadrian’s Wall – making it easier for more people to explore, improving the museum and telling more of the fort’s remarkable stories, providing a better all-round visit.

Lying midway along Hadrian’s Wall, Housesteads is Britain’s most complete Roman fort. Built within a decade of AD 122, when work on the wall began, it was garrisoned by an 800-strong infantry regiment until the end of the 4th Century.

Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland.

placeholder image — Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland.

Today, in spite of its awe-inspiring structure and history, much improvement is necessary.

This development grant will allow the charity to work with its partners to plan further phases of the project, including aspirations such as improvements to the museum building, reinvigorating and broadening current site interpretation, refurbishing the activity centre, creating pathways for accessible access and improving on-site facilities, as well as making the site more environmentally sustainable.

Andrea Selley, English Heritage’s operations director, North, said: “We are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their development grant, which stands as an early endorsement for our aspirations for the Shared Horizons project.

“It is our hope that the project will not only improve the visitor experience at Housesteads, but work to involve local communities in creating inspiring activities and volunteering opportunities, and to allow more people to connect with nature and heritage.

“This funding is a vital first step and we are working at pace to put together our plans for the next round of funding.”

In addition, English Heritage will take over the running of Housesteads Visitor Centre (previously managed by the National Trust). This further partnership between the two charities will aim to simplify the experience for visitors and help unify the stories shared at this important World Heritage site.

Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re thrilled to support English Heritage with this initial grant.”