Filey Roman Signal Station

The Roman signal station at Filey, located on the north-eastern side of Filey at Carr Naze (Filey Brigg), was one of five coastal signal stations constructed in the late 4th century AD along the Yorkshire coast. It served as the southernmost station in a defensive network designed to protect Roman Britain from seaborne raiders—particularly Anglian groups—crossing the North Sea.

Positioned strategically on the clifftop near what is now the Country Park, the signal station commanded broad views of the coast and access to a natural harbour formed by the rocky ‘spittal’ below the cliffs. A beacon atop the tower would have been lit upon sighting enemy ships, sending smoke or fire signals to other nearby stations in the chain.

Archaeological Investigations and Structure

The Filey station has been subject to archaeological interest since its discovery in 1857, with subsequent excavations in 1923–29, and again by the York Archaeological Trust (YAT) in 1993–94, following a geophysical survey of the area. These investigations revealed a substantial Roman military installation:

• The site measured around 50 metres across.
• At its centre stood a 14-metre square tower, possibly rising to 30 metres in height.
• The tower stood on stone and clay foundations, likely supported by five large carved stone blocks unearthed during the 1857 excavations. These blocks, which now reside in Crescent Gardens, Filey, are finely carved and feature square apertures—possibly intended to support timber beams. One bears a faint carving of what may be a dog chasing a deer.
• Surrounding the tower was an outer courtyard, enclosed by a wall and featuring a western gate.
• A defensive ditch crossed the headland to the west of the complex, though it did not enclose the entire site.

The foundations of the wall and tower were found approximately four feet below the surface, and other Roman artefacts recovered during the excavations include bronze coins, pottery, animal bones, and structural remains.

Occupation and Abandonment

The signal station was likely constructed around AD 375 and remained in use until approximately AD 410, shortly before the Roman withdrawal from Britain. It would have been manned by a small garrison of soldiers, tasked with surveillance and rapid communication.

Two late 4th-century coin hoards were discovered during excavations, suggesting the site was still active during the final years of Roman control.

After abandonment in the early 5th century, a post-Roman rampart—still surviving to around 1.8 metres high—was constructed to the east of the site. This may reflect later occupation or reuse of the site, potentially even as the location of a Saxon chapel, though this remains unconfirmed.

Preservation and Loss

Sadly, much of the site has suffered from coastal erosion. In a recent landslip, around two-thirds of the remaining earthwork collapsed into the sea. The remaining portion of the site remains at risk of further loss due to continued cliff retreat.

Nonetheless, traces of rectangular earthworks can still be seen, particularly from the Country Park, along with interpretive signage installed for visitors. A World War II bomb crater is also located nearby.

Finds and Displays

In addition to the five carved foundation stones, a 3-foot-high bronze statue of the god Mercury was found in the eroded cliffs near the signal station. This remarkable find is now housed at the Rotunda Museum in Scarborough, alongside other Roman finds from Carr Naze and the surrounding region. The museum also displays the Gristhorpe Man, a Bronze Age burial discovered in 1834 near Gristhorpe Cliffs, within a hollowed-out oak tree.

Sites near Filey Roman Signal Station

• Scarborough Roman Signal Station (11 km)
  North Sea Signal Stations
• Rudston Villa (15 km)
  Villa
• Praesidium (16 km)
  Minor Settlement and Possible Roman Fort
• Bridlington Roman Port (16 km)
  Probable Port
• Beacon Hill (Flamborough) Roman Signal Station (16 km)
  North Sea Signal Stations
• Ravenscar Signal Station (25 km)
  North Sea Signal Stations
• Wade's Causeway (Margary 81a,81b) (33 km)
  Roman Road
• Malton (Derventio) Vicus (35 km)
  Vicus
• Malton (Derventio) Roman Fort (35 km)
  Vexillation Fort and Vicus
• Cawthorn B Fort (35 km)
  Flavian Auxiliary Fort (AD 69–96)