Washingwells Roman fort, Whickham

Despite the lack of upstanding remains, Washingwells Roman fort is clearly visible on aerial photographs and the site will retain significant buried archaeological remains. Its location is unusual, and it is believed to date from the initial Roman conquest of the region, and to have been used as an outpost of the late first century Stanegate frontier line.

The monument includes the Roman fort known as Washingwells, which is situated 200m south of Washingwells Farm. It occupies a spur overlooking the Team Valley. The spur is bounded by steep slopes to its south and west, a gentle slope to the east and level ground to the north west.

The fort is identified from aerial photographs. It has three distinct ditch systems. The innermost ditch is the most complete, forming a south eastern facing polygonal enclosing 1.88ha. This ditch has three gateways identified from the aerial photgraphs; a fourth gateway on the south east side will exist opposite the north east gateway. The north east gateway has four post-pits indicating a timber gateway, 7.5m wide, sufficient for two portals. The middle ditch system is believed to be contemporary with the inner ditch system. It has been identified on the north west and north east sides. The outer ditch system has been identified on the north west and south east sides as a broad ditch, 8.75m wide.

On the north east side, it is apparent as a faint, narrow cropmark. In the southern angle of the fort are a series of four sunken ways of uncertain date running parallel to the present footpath.