Wall Mile 66

Hadrian's Wall stretches from the east to west coast of England and was an important frontier of the Roman Empire. Building of the wall began in AD 122 and took six years to complete it’s 84 mile (80 Roman mile) length. Soldiers were garrisoned along the line of the wall in large forts, smaller milecastles, and intervening turrets. The Vallum, a large ditch with mounds on either side, ran along the south side of the wall, protecting the rear of the frontier. Hadrian's Wall was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Wall mile 66 was originally a turf wall, later replaced by stone. From Milecastle 49 to the western end of Hadrian's Wall on the Solway Firth, the wall was originally constructed from turf, possibly due to the absence of limestone. Subsequently, the turf wall was demolished and replaced with a stone wall.

Wall Mile 66:

• Milecastle 66 (Stanwix Bank) - no visible remains
• Roman Bridge over the River Eden - some stones reputedly from the bridge are in Bitts Park
• Turret 66A - location unknown
• Luguvalium Roman Fort - overlain by Carlisle Castle and other parts of the city.
• Turret 66B - location unknown

Hadrain's Wall National Trail runs along the riverside boundary of Bitts Park, in which are stones reputedly from the Roman bridge. Carlisle Castle occupies the central and northern part of the Roman fort Luguvalium. Tullie Museum in Carlisle includes Roman artifacts.

Scheduled Monument (#1014579): Carlisle Castle; medieval tower keep castle, two lengths of city wall, a 16th century battery, and part of an earlier Roman fort, which was known as Luguvalium.

Click the headings below to expand (selected extracts from the Historic England scheduling)