Hardknott Roman Fort

About

Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It measures just three-acres and the fort at Hardknott enjoyed command of the Eskdale Valley and the Roman road to Ravenglass.
Hardknott Fort was founded under Hadrian's rule and established early in the second century AD.

There are well-marked remains to be seen, including the commandant's house, headquarters building and bath house. Beside the fort, the site of the parade ground survives, and the road which Hardknott guarded can be traced for some distance as an earthwork.

The fort was demilitarised in the late 130s, when the Romans reoccupied southern Scotland, but was regarrisoned under Marcus Aurelius in the 160s and it was finally abandoned very early in the third century.

Several objects found around the fort suggest that thereafter its ruins offered temporary shelter to passing patrols and travellers.