This also made it clear that the new cavalry forts (at Benwell, Halton Chesters, Uxellodunum and Rudchester) at least were not for the defence of the Wall but to allow rapid attacks northwards into unoccupied territory.

The height of the gates and towers would have been more than 9 m. The site guarded Chesters Bridge carrying the Military Way behind the wall across the River North Tyne.

Four large Roman columns, believed to come from Cilurnum, may be seen supporting the south aisle in the church of St Giles at Chollerton, a couple of miles upstream from the fort.

[5] The large and elaborate vicus (civil settlement) was on either side of the road just outside the fort’s southern gate leading to the Stanegate.

In the early 19th century Nathaniel Clayton, owner of Chesters House and Estate, moved hundreds of tons of earth to cover the last remains of the fort as part of his parkland landscaping, thereby creating a smooth uninterrupted grassland slope down to the River Tyne; however he collected, before they disappeared, a number of Roman artefacts, which he preserved.

When his son John Clayton, a noted antiquarian, inherited the estate in 1832 he undid his father's landscaping, exposing the fort, excavated the ruins and established a small museum for the finds.

The collection became the responsibility of English Heritage in 1983 and the new post of 'Curator of Hadrian's Wall Museums' was created This position was filled briefly by John Dore (1983–1986), Sally Dumner and then Bill Hubbard.

Georgina Plowright held the position from 1987 until her retirement in 2012 and was responsible for the refurbishment and re-display of the museum as well as the production of an electronic catalogue of the collections.