Topics > Northumberland > Civil Parishes in Northumberland > Knarsdale with Kirkhaugh Civil Parish > Whitley Castle Roman Fort (Epiacum)
Whitley Castle Roman Fort (Epiacum)
Map of Whitley Castle Roman fort (Epiacum) - Scheduled Monument Area
The remains of Epiacum Roman Fort are located about 1½ miles north-west of Alston. The fort was built on the Maiden Way (Roman road), probably to control and protect lead and silver mining in the North Pennines, and was about 12 miles south of Hadrian’s Wall. Typically, Roman forts were rectangular, but Epiacum is shaped like a diamond or lozenge, built to fit the sloping knoll it occupies. The fort hosted a mixed unit of approximately 500–600 infantry and cavalry. Epiacum is noted as being the highest stone-built Roman fort in Britain (1,050ft above sea level).
Today, the remains of Epiacum exist as well preserved, massive earthwork defences. Whilst mostly turf-covered, the remains of the headquarters building, barrack blocks, and four gateways are identifiable. A non-intrusive archaeological survey in 2009 recorded the fort in detail, along with the remains of a vicus (civilian settlement) north and west of the fort ramparts. The site remains largely unexcavated is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (protected by law).
The site is on land owned Castle Nook Farm, but can usually be visited for free during daylight hours It is supported by a not-for-profit company Epiacum Heritage Ltd. Epiacum, and there is a car park and café by the fort, on the west side of the A689 (check the Epiacum Heritage Website).
Scheduled Monument (#1006621): Whitley Castle Roman fort and vicus, 280m south west of Castle Nook
Click the headings below to expand (selected extracts from the Historic England scheduling)
All Roman forts with surviving archaeological potential are considered to be nationally important. Whitley Castle Roman Fort is one of the best examples of a Roman fort with multiple ditches in England. It survives exceptionally well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to the complex developmental history of the monument, its surrounding landscape and the various military campaigns in Northern England. The importance of the monument is enhanced by the survival of its associated civilian settlement; taken together they will inform our knowledge and understanding of the complex relationships between Roman and native and commercial activity in the north during this period.
The monument includes the remains of a Roman fort (Epiacum) and part of its civilian settlement or vicus, situated on an east facing slope overlooking the valley of the River South Tyne. The fort was sited along the Roman road known as the Maiden Way and more than one phase is represented by the remains. It is visible as a lozenge-shaped enclosure with maximum dimensions of about 140m by 115m within several parallel ramparts and ditches; on the south west side there are seven ditches, on the south east four and on the north west five. The angle towers survive as low earthworks. Within the interior of the monument there are the remains of internal buildings and features including the principia.
Aerial photography indicates that the early phase of the fort was considerably smaller than the present remains, and that a bath-house lay outside its north west corner; this bath house was partially excavated in 1810. Aerial photography has also revealed the presence of part of the associated vicus surrounding the Roman fort. The monument has undergone several partial excavations revealing extensive archaeological remains; an inscription (c. AD 213) and pottery indicate occupation during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. The monument was subject to intensive survey and analysis in 2009.
from https://historicengland.org.u…
Whitley Castle Roman fort and vicus, 280m south west of Castle Nook
- ....The monument includes the remains of a Roman fort (Epiacum) and part of its civilian settlement or vicus, situated on an east facing slope overlooking the valley of the River …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://epiacumheritage.org/
Epiacum Heritage
- ...The Roman fort at Epiacum is located near Castle Nook, only a couple of miles north-west of Alston, a small market town in the North Pennines. There is no charge …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://historicengland.org.u…
Whitley Castle Roman fort and vicus, 280m south west of Castle Nook
- ....The monument includes the remains of a Roman fort (Epiacum) and part of its civilian settlement or vicus, situated on an east facing slope overlooking the valley of the River …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
from https://epiacumheritage.org/
Epiacum Heritage
- ...The Roman fort at Epiacum is located near Castle Nook, only a couple of miles north-west of Alston, a small market town in the North Pennines. There is no charge …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
Post code: CA9 3BG
County: Northumberland
Grid ref: NY6948348728
Wikipedia: Whitley Castle
