The Romans in Lakeland

Not far south of Emperor Hadrian's impressive attempt to control our Scots cousins the Romans developed a networks of roads and forts across the rugged Lakes. The Romans erected the 84-mile Hadrians wall nearly 2,000 years ago and it is now both a World Heritage site and new official signposted long-distance footpath.

The most dramatic remains of the Roman occupation are those of Hardknott Fort (Pictured) overlooking Eskdale valley.

Another dramatic and challenging "Roman experience" can be enjoyed by walking in the footsteps of the legions across the mountain that became called High Street in recognition of this old roman road that links Penrith and Ambleside.
In 13th century it was called the Brethstrett, in respect of the Britons of Cumbria.On ridge at over 2,000 feet. Summit of High Street has even been used as a racecourse. It dips into the dramatic Straights of Riggindale and then up onto High Raise heading north, eventually gently descending Loadpot Hill towards Tirril for Penrith. Ambleside fort (Galava was built around 90 AD) while Brocavum (Brougham) was built 80-81AD by Agricola. Despite its great height it represents the walkers best route. The regulation Roman army rate was 20 miles in five hours. At the start Eamont Bridge provides two inns. A bronze age circular mound is known as King Arthur's Round Table. Before the moorland start the village of Tirril furnishes an inn and small store.Out onto the moors and soon one of many middle bronze age stone circles is passed. Thereafter steady climb past Arthur's Seat. High Raise starts the more dramatic mountain section South of High Street the roman road could have taken the distinct terrace path down towards Troutbeck, a route known as Scots Rake, no doubt in respect of its use as route by the Scots at some stage in history. But an alternative route for the roman road could have been tracing the ridge south skirting Froswick and Ill Bell before descending to the Garburn Pass. An ancient map does show short lengths of "roman road" on Yoke at 436062. More details on the High Street route.

The route from Amblesides roman fort to Ravenglass is marked on the ancient Antonine Itinerary, the first AA road map!
In 1920 near to the Little Langdale to Tilberthwaite footbridge and ford R.G. Collingwood saw a section of 10 foot wide road complete with kerb stones.In 1946 Ian Richardson, author of the Penguin classic on Roman Britain
did detailed field studies at Wrynose and Hardknott. The roman road is on a shelf some 75 yards above the present road until the two come together to breast the rise and pass the Three Shire Stone. After taking a more gradual descent than the present roasd the romans then ran a straight line to the north of the infant Duddon. This 24 foot wide causeway is clearly visible in parallel with the tarmac road. After Cockley Beck the romans headed down valley to Black Hall. From near the farm it then zig zags up to the head of the pass. On the descent to Eskdale the roman route goes straight on when the modern road takes a vertigous sharp turn left. The roman route had its own zig zags down from Hardknott fort to just south of Brotherilkeld. The roman route from Penrith via a fort at Troutbeck clearly indicates a fort at Keswick, with Castlerigg being an obvious contendor for the site.A roman route went over Whinlatter descending Scales Hill into Lorton.

The following illustrations can be viewed on the VisitCumbria.com web site.
Birdoswald Fort / Galava Roman Fort / Hardknott Roman Fort / Ravenglass Roman Bath House

Don't forget to see Maryport's Roman Museum if you are looking for a wet weather idea.
Information on Hadrians Wall can be found at this link.

Along the Cumbrian coast were a string of forts at Maryport, Workington, Moresby (See artist's impression) and Ravenglass.

Walkers are now able to follow the entire length of Hadrian's Wall across northern England for the first time in 1,600 years. A signposted trail runs along the spectacular 84-mile Roman route from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend, Tyneside. The Countryside Agency has developed 30 miles of new rights of way to follow the wall's path, along with new gates, footbridges and stiles. The work has also opened up stretches of the World Heritage Site for disabled access.Parts of the wall have always been open to the public but since the Romans left, there has been no unbroken right of way to follow its route.

TAXIS for exploring Hadrians Wall. February 2008 The British Museum has granted permission for a lifelike bronze bust of the Emperor Hadrian to go out on loan. The nine-week exhibition titled: The Face of an Emperor: Hadrian inspects the wall opens today and is a huge coup for Carlisle’s Tullie House Museum.The head is one of the rare surviving bronzes from Roman times and has never left the British Museum since its discovery in the Thames in 1834.

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