Carkin Moor Roman Fort

Auxiliary Fort

The Carkin Moor Roman Fort lies on the summit of a small flat-topped hill and is bisected in a deep cutting by the A66, a former Roman road, which runs east-west across the Pennines. The Roman fort is one of a series of Roman military establishments along this route. The fort is rectangular in shape and measures 150m north east to south west by 132m north west to south east. The north east corner of the fort survives as a raised platform up to 2m high in the field to the north of the road. The north angle of the fort and traces of an external ditch are clearly visible as earthworks in the plantation north of the road.

In 2015 a pipeline was laid between Carkin Moor Roman Fort and West Layton  along the route of the A66 (a former Roman road).

Prehistoric enclosed settlement

The prehistoric enclosed settlement lies 200m north west of the fort. Although it no longer survives as an earthwork it is clearly visible on aerial photographs. The enclosure is rectangular in shape and measures 100m by 75m. There are traces of internal features visible within it which include traces of one side of a smaller enclosure parallel with the western side.

References for Carkin Moor

  • Air Reconnaissance of North Britain by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. xli (1951) pp.52-65;

Map References for Carkin Moor

NGRef: NZ1906 OSMap: LR?

OS National Grid Reference: NZ1620008270
Dimensions: c.350 x 310 ft (c.107 x 94 m)
Area: c.2½ acres (c.1 ha)

Roman Roads near Carkin Moor

NW (8) to Greta Bridge (Durham) SE (6) to Cataractonivm

Sites near Carkin Moor Roman Fort