Poltross Burn Milecastle on Hadrian's Wall, Gilsland, Cumbria
This is the site of Roman milecastle 48, known as Poltross Burn Milecastle. It is one of the best-preserved milecastles on Hadrian's Wall. It still has the remains of its oven, a stair to the rampart walk, and the remains of its north gateway. Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans between AD122 -128. It stretched 117km across Northern England from the river Tyne to the Solway Firth. At every ‘Roman mile’ (approx 1.5 km) along the wall a mile castle was built. These were small forts for up to 50 men. Between each of these were two turrets. There were also at least 16 major forts such as Wallsend, Housesteads and Vindolanda on or near the wall. Around 2,000 soldiers were needed to patrol the wall. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Read detailed archaeological description.
