Welcome to Binchester Roman Fort

Binchester was the largest Roman fort in County Durham. A small part has been excavated and is open to view. Most of the fort and the remains of the nearby civilian settlement still lie buried in the surrounding fields.

The fort was built to guard the point were Dere Street crossed the Wear. The first fort was built in timber around AD80 but was soon replaced by a more massive stone fort in the early second century AD. The fort was defended by a wall some 5m high with four gateways flanked by guard towers and outside was a huge V-shaped ditch for extra defence. Inside were the headquarters building, the commandant's house, the hospital, granaries, work-shops, barracks and stables.

The Roman fort became a focus of local activity and a large civilian settlement soon grew around it. This settlement provided for the needs of the troops and became a market centre for the surrounding area.

Picture: A stone, carved with a man's face at Binchester Fort.