Hadrian’s Wall Visible Remains
Lanercost is just over a mile south east of Milecastle 55, which is shown as a visible remain by OS maps. All other authorities on the Wall disagree. The writer could not find anything either.
Unfortunately, this is the case all the way from Lanercost Bowness on Solway. There are occasional mounds and ditches, but no visible masonry. This guide will not subject you to pictures of fields with slight undulations in the grass.
There are three reasons why there are no remains between Lanercost and Bowness:
- The area has always had a higher population.
- Stone is less available compared to the central sections of the Wall
- Cumbria had no John Clayton. Who Was John Clayton?
There are 5 forts in this section, where we will help identify the location. Just under 2 miles from milecastle 55, is Castlesteads.
Castlesteads Roman Fort
The fort is east of Castlesteads House, about 300 yds south of the Wall and Hadrian’s Wall Path. To see the fort from the south of the fort at Walton turn southwest off the path and amble down the lane, the fort is east of the House, destroyed to make a large walled garden from the fort materials. From the north, the site is impressive on the ridge above the Cam Burn.
The Walled garden was located in the site of the fort. The fort remains were demolished to build the garden, which was built with stone from the fort in the 18th century.
Further details in the Guide
Return to Walton and the Wall Path ( or drive) its 8 miles to Stanwix, but the path diverges from the route of the Wall about 2 miles from Stanwix. At Rickerby by the River Eden leaves the path a few hundred yards from the site of the fort.
Stanwix Roman Fort
On the ridge behind the house stood Stanwix Roman Fort, largest fort on the Wall, with a large elite cavalry regiment. Up the ridge through the streets to Scotland Road is Cumbria Park Hotel just outside the North West corner of the fort.
In the car park behind the hotel, marked in the tarmac is the line of the Fort Wall, with this plaque. There is a yard of a reconstructed wall in the hotel.
For more detail read the GUIDE
Cross over the River Eden, and after a hundred yards is a treasury of visible remains, Tullie House one of the important Hadrian’s Wall Museums, visit the site
The path roughly follows the Wall on to Burgh on the Sands Roman Fort
Burgh on the Sands Roman Fort
The fort is located to cover the crossing of the Solway. It probably an easy crossing place, so much so that Edward 1 intended to cross the Solway with an army here. It must have been earlier than crossing the Rivers Eden and Esk. Tide moved over 25 ft between high and low tide explaining the easy crossing.
Unfortunately, Edward died in the process, probably from old age, and lay in state in the village church.
The turf Wall bisected the fort, while the stone Wall attached to the north wall. Read the guide about this fort and earlier forts inland.
About a quarter mile west , the Wall disappears into the Solway, after Milecastle 73 for 3 miles.
Drumburgh Roman Fort
Three miles later the Wall emerges from the sands ith Milecastle 76 just before the small fort, possibly the smallest on the Wall. As you can see above some of the fort ditches are still visible.
Along the coast to Bowness with great views of the Solway.
Bowness on Solway Roman Fort
The fort is the second largest fort on the Wall with possibly the largest garrison on the Wall underneath the village with probably with 1000 cavalry and infantry. The village totally covers the fort. The sea has eroded the north wall of the fort.
Sorry no visible remains.
The Wall finishes here, but the coastal defences continue for another 25 miles, with turrets, fortlets and forts