Ravenglass Roman bath house

Ravenglass Roman Bath House

Ravenglass Roman bath house

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  English Heritage 

What is it –  Free access, Roman site, Ruin 

When is it from – Roman

Ravenglass was once an important fortified Roman port possibly known as Itunocelum. It had a garrison of 500 men as well as a substantial civilian settlement, a viccus.  The fort was built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117–38AD) – though there may have been one on the site earlier – and it seems to have been in continuous use for the best part of 300 years until being destroyed by fire in the late 4th century. The only visible remains of this busy period in Ravenglass’s history is part of the shell of the Roman bathhouse, known locally as Walls Castle, which stood on the north-east corner of the fort.  The surviving walls, more than 12 feet high, are among the tallest Roman structures remaining in northern Britain – though unimpressive to the casual observer. They will be found by following a tarmac track just outside Ravenglass.  The remains of the fort lie under the woods next to the track.

 


Address

Walls Drive, Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SR 

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