Bewcastle Roman Fort

Bewcastle Roman Fort is a Roman military fort in northern England with an irregular hexagonal layout that covers approximately 6 acres. Visible on the ground today are embankments, ditches, and stone foundations that trace the original structure.

The fort was built around 124 AD and served as a northern outpost of Hadrian's Wall under the name Fanum Cocidi. It housed the First Cohort of Dacians, an infantry unit that originally came from southeastern Europe.

The fort was dedicated to Cocidius, a god worshipped in northern Britain, whose importance is shown through nine altars discovered on the site. Visitors can see evidence of how soldiers expressed their religious beliefs through stone monuments.

The fort sits on open ground and is straightforward to explore, with the structure visible from ground level. The best time to visit is during good weather, as the site is exposed with no shelter provided.

Between this site and Banna to the south, two stone signal towers allowed Roman soldiers to communicate across long distances using visual signals. This communication method was vital for defending the frontier of Britain.

Location: Bewcastle

Part of: Hadrian's Wall, Bewcastle Roman fort, high cross shaft in St Cuthbert's churchyard, and Bew Castle medieval shell keep castle

GPS coordinates: 55.06400,-2.68500

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04