Let me start by saying that Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall is a truly impressive historical site, managed with great care and professionalism by the English Heritage charity, and is completely worth your time and effort to visit. I could go on about the many extraordinary features – the well-preserved walls and gates, the hospital, the hypocaust, the granary…but I won’t (you’re welcome). You can read about it elsewhere or you can visit. I highly recommend the latter.

No, this is abo...