Epiacum

Today's the day . . . . . . . . for Roman remains

A visit today to see the remains of Epiacum, a Roman fort not far from the village of Alston.  At 330 metres above sea level, Epiacum (Whitley Castle) is the highest stone-built Roman fort in Britain.

It housed a garrison of about 600 men (480 infantry plus 128 cavalry) and was probably built to control mining for lead and silver.  The fort defences consisted of a massive stone wall surrounded by earthen banks and ditches which survive today as some of the best preserved fort ramparts in the entire Roman Empire.

Large stone towers stood at the corners of the fort. Access to the interior was restricted to four massive stone gateways, one in each side. Low foundations of buildings, including the headquarters building and barrack blocks, can still be seen on the ground within the fort.

You can see an artists impression of how it might have looked, in extras . . . . . . . . .