Reasons for Designation
Roman camps are rectangular or sub-rectangular enclosures which were
constructed and used by Roman soldiers either when out on campaign or as
practice camps; most campaign camps were only temporary overnight bases and
few were used for longer periods. They were bounded by a single earthen
rampart and outer ditch and in plan are always straight-sided with rounded
corners. Normally they have between one and four entrances, although as many
as eleven have been recorded. Such entrances were usually centrally placed in
the sides of the camp and were often protected by additional defensive
outworks. Roman camps are found throughout much of England, although most
known examples lie in the midlands and north. Around 140 examples have been
identified and, as one of the various types of defensive enclosure built by
the Roman Army, particularly in hostile upland and frontier areas, they
provide an important insight into Roman military strategy and organisation.
All well-preserved examples are identified as being of national importance.
Details
The monument is a Roman camp located on flat land overlooking the narrow
valley of the River Petteril to the west. It lies c.850m NNW of Old Penrith
Roman fort (known to the Romans as Voreda) and a short distance west of the A6
trunk road which here follows the line of the Roman road that connected Old
Penrith with the fort at Carlisle (known to the Romans as Luguvallium). The
camp is visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs which highlight features
such as infilled ditches. Aerial photographs show the camp perimeter ditch in
its entirety and indicate that the camp measures approximately 180m by 110m
internally. There are four gateways, one situated at the mid point of each
side, each defended by a tutulus - an earthen mound and ditch in front of the
gate constructed to prevent a direct approach and thus hinder an attacking
force.
All drystone walls, post and wire fences, gateposts, telegraph poles and a
watering trough are excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath
all these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23668
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
