A Roman Fort at Kendal with the possible Roman name of Alavana
Location
From the south head north on the A591.Turn off to Kendal on A6, after about half a mile turn right on to a65 signposted to the leisure centre and after a few hundred yards turn 3rd right on to Natland Rd by the river Kent. Follow the road for 500 yd. to the end of the built-up area and park .there is a road to the right to Watercrook Farm
If you wish you can view the site from across the river through Scroggs Wood marked in yellow.
Its relationship with other Roman forts is always significant; it does not control the road south from Carlisle It’s on a minor road, about 10 miles from Low Borrowbridge and 12 miles from Burrow.
There is no information regarding the garrison at Watercrook. The size of the fort indicates a mixed ancillary unit, probably 480 infantry and 120 cavalry.
Watercrook History
Watercrook is located on flat land surrounded on three sides by the River Kent west, north and east, similar to the strategic location of Durham City. Unfortunately ploughing has almost hidden almost any trace of the fort.
It is likely that the fort was built following the withdrawal from “Scotland”, but it is still a bit of a mystery.
The phases of the development of the fort are shown below:
- Initially built as a turf rampart, 90-95 AD, during the reign of Domitian.
- Construction of a stone wall in good quality stone (finely worked masonry) about135/145 AD, this was during the reigns of Hadrian and Antonius Pius and may have been abandoned for a few years thereafter with invasion of “Scotland”.
- Reduction in the size of the fort. Rebuilding of the north-east gate and part of the southeast wall 150-170 AD. This was during the reigns of Antonius Pius and Marcus Aurelius.
- Enlargement of the fort and rebuilding of the south-west wall, 270 AD during the reign of.Aurelian.
The fort covered about 4 acres, measuring 450ft north south by 380ft east west.
Wrookcrook was occupied well into the 4th century.
Vicus/ Civil Settlements
there was a civil settlement on the north and east of the fort. The northern sector is considered to be an industrial / manufacturing area, while the eastern settlement was a more typicial including pubs and shops.
Excavations
These were undertaken in 1931/32, 1944 and 1974/5. This identities the various phases of the fort, dated from pottery and coins, as with the civil settlements.
In addition, the Northgate, which was well built in stone, with 2 chambers either side of a roadway. Inside the fort was identified a barrack block 120ft by 75ft