Derwydd Bach Camp

Marching or Temporary Camp

Derwydd Bach Camp is known only from a 138 ft. (42 m) length of the north-west side, the rounded western corner-angle, which has a radius of 43 ft. (13 m), and around 350 ft. (107 m) of the south-west side. The area enclosed by the visible defences is just over 1½ acres (0.6 ha), but the size of the corner-angle indicates a larger encampment and there is space sufficient here for one of around 15 acres (6ha). The rampart survives in places 10 ft. wide, though barely 1 ft. high, fronted by a ditch 8 ft. across.

This camp lies on the western bank of the Afon Dwyfach less than ½ mile to the north-east of the Pen Llystyn fort. It is very likely that the camp was the first Roman military establishment in the area, probably during the first campaign season of governor Agricola sometime in the late-Summer of 77AD or 78. The camp preceeded the nearby fort by a year or less.

References for Derwydd Bach Camp

  • Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1969-72 by J.K. St. Joseph in J.R.S. lxiii (1973) p.241;

Map References for Derwydd Bach Camp

NGRef: SH4745 OSMap: LR115/123

OS National Grid Reference: SH477454
Dimensions: 350+ x 138+ ft (107+ x 42+ m)
Area: c.1½-15 acres (c.0.66-6 ha)

Roman Roads near Derwydd Bach Camp

None identified

Sites near Derwydd Bach Camp