Milecastle 9

Milecastle 9 is a Roman military outpost in West Denton that served as a checkpoint along Britain's northern frontier. The remains show a rectangular layout with stone walls and gateways at the ends, designed to monitor and control movement along the border.

The outpost was built in the 2nd century AD by the Legio XX Valeria Victrix as part of Rome's defense strategy for northern Britain. It was one of many such checkpoints that formed a connected system along the frontier to manage and protect this distant edge of the empire.

The site reveals how Roman soldiers lived and worked in this frontier post through the physical layout and objects they left behind. Walking across the remains gives a sense of the daily routines that took place within these stone walls.

The site lies partly beneath modern roads A69 and B6528, so only sections are fully visible and accessible to visitors. Wear sturdy shoes as the ground can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain.

Excavations uncovered an unusual burial that raises questions about how the site was used after the Romans left. This discovery suggests the location may have held meaning for people living in the area long after its military purpose ended.

Location: Tyne and Wear

GPS coordinates: 54.99070,-1.72233

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:47