Remembering Romano-British Cumbria and Northumbria

Location of Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall in Scotland and Northern England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A year ago today we were bundled up and occasionally getting pelted with sleet as we visited our first British Castle in Carlisle, Cumbria. We were introduced to the story of St. George and the dragon when our then 8 year old was able to participate in a reenactment of the story. This was also the first place we saw obvious indications of Roman occupation of this area. Stones from earlier Roman structures, including those inscribed with Latin, were used in the construction of Carlisle Castle.

However, it was on the following day that we really got a taste of the Romano-British era as we followed Hadrian's Wall on what was once a Roman road. We stopped at several major forts like Housesteads as well as smaller roadside mileforts along the route.

These couple of days were some of the most amazing and memorable. Of all the places we visited, this northernmost area of England is right up there with London in priority for a return visit. I would love to explore this area on foot one day.

Related articles

• Exploring Carlisle Castle (shannafern.com)
• Corbridge: A Roman Town (shannafern.com)
• Lanercost Priory: Photo Stop (shannafern.com)
• Chester's Roman Fort and Museum (shannafern.com)
• Housesteads Roman Fort (shannafern.com)
• The Wall (shannafern.com)