Rainsbury Roman Fort

Possible Roman Fort

This small earthwork lies on a valley spur overlooking the River Haddeo in Somerset and has earthwork remains of the tell-tale ‘playing card’ shape which exemplifies a small Roman fort. Its measurments within the ramparts is about 70 metres across by about 105 metres long (c.230 by 345 feet) with rounded corners, enclosing an area just under 0.75 hectares (just over 1¾ acres); the camp is aligned towards the south-south-west. The small size indicates that the fort did not house a full regiment of auxiliary troops, there being only room enough for about three (possibly four) centuries of foot soldiers comprising 80 men each.

References for Rainsbury Roman Fort

  • The Field Archaeology of Exmoor by Hazel Riley and Robert Wilson-North (English Heritage, 2001 pp.77-79); Map References for Rainsbury Roman Fort

NGRef: SS9929 OSMap: LR181

OS National Grid Reference: SS 9902 2918
Dimensions: c.230 x 345 ft (c.70 x 105 m)
Area: c.1¾ acres (c.0.75 ha)

Roman Roads near Rainsbury Roman Fort

None identified

Sites near Rainsbury Roman Fort