A Fine Viewpoint

River Petteril (23)

We were on the slopes of Barrock Fell, close to Wreay. It’s just a field on a hillside above the River Petteril, but there is quite a bit of history around it. Although there is nothing to be seen on the surface now, there is evidence, mainly from aerial photographs, of an Iron Age hill fort and of a later Roman Camp and Signal Station. Looking at the view now, it is no wonder that this hillside was chosen in the past. It is possible to see all the way round – here one is looking east to the Pennines and north towards Scotland. 

The Roman Camp would have been used by soldiers, whilst out on campaign or when moving from one place to another. Barrock Fell is close to the main Roman road linking the forts at Penrith and Carlisle. It is thought that the Romans built the Signal Station late on in the occupation, at a time when the Picts and Saxons and Scots were being a bit more unruly than usual and were a serious threat to the Romans. This Station would have been one of a series and probably linked to Pike Hill Signal Station on Hadrian’s Wall.