A MAJOR exhibition on Hadrian’s Wall saw a big increase in visitors to the region last year.

Hadrian’s Cavalry, which ran from April to September 2017, explored the life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces along the length of the Wall and saw a range of Roman cavalry objects donated by national and international museums.

The event resulted in a 12 per cent rise in visitors to Hadrian’s Wall last year, and the project’s leaders believe that its legacy continues to benefit the region.

Bill Griffiths, head of programmes at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and the project’s chairman, said: “Hadrian’s Cavalry brought together all the museums along Hadrian’s Wall in partnership.

“The exhibition included loans from across Europe, allowing everyone involved to develop closer relationships with these museums and create a lasting legacy. Indeed, together we have been working on several legacy projects, including films about the exhibition and the associated live-action event, Turma! Hadrian’s Cavalry Charge in Carlisle.”

The exhibition was supported by a £690,000 grant from Arts Council England and was named North East Museum of the Year at the Journal Culture Awards 2018.

Ten museum venues along the length of the wall were involved in the project, including Vindolanda, Corbridge Roman Town and Museum, Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum, and Chesters Roman Fort and Museum.

Sonya Galloway, communications manager at Vindolanda said: “The Hadrian’s Cavalry exhibition not only enabled us to host national and international loans, but also showcased world-class exhibitions and artefacts which we already had.

2017 was certainly the year of Hadrian’s Cavalry and we are delighted to have been part of it.”