 When
the Emperor Hadrian visit Britain in AD 122, he decided to solve the problem of the
troublesome northern tribes by building a wall from coast to coast. Taking advantage of a
prominent natural ridge, a massive fortification some 73 miles (117.5km) long was built
from a million cubic yards of stone, strengthened at key points by forts, mile castles and
turrets.The project took about five years to
complete, but succeeded in holding back the Picts for over 200 years. Now a World Heritage
Site, the Romans' tremendous achievement can still be Gilsland, and the turf rampart from
Gilsland to Bowness, can be seen and excavations, most notably at Housesteads, have
revealed the forts and living quarters of the garrisons.
Other Roman sites worth visiting are Birdoswall, near Gilsland, Chesters Fort and
Museum at Walwick, Corbridge, Corrawburgh and Vindolanda (Chesterholm) at Bardon Mill. |