Milecastle 34

Welcome to Milecastle 34, a historical site located along the famous Hadrian's Wall in England. This milecastle was constructed by the legio XX Valeria Victrix who were based in Deva Victrix during the Roman era. Although there are no visible remains of the milecastle, the site is still worth visiting due to its rich history and association with the famous wall. To reach Milecastle 34, head approximately 0.5 kilometers east of Sewingshields farm. The site is within a small, tree-filled, walled enclosure that adds to the charm of the location. Upon arrival, you will notice that the milecastle was a long-axis milecastle with Type II gateways. These features were established in 1947 and confirmed in subsequent English Heritage Field Investigations in 1965 and 1988 as part of the Hadrian's Wall project. It is important to note that each milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two associated turret structures. These turrets were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the Milecastle and would have been manned by part of the milecastle's garrison. The turrets associated with Milecastle 34 are known as Turret 34A and Turret 34B. Turret 34A exists as a consolidated structure and is located just to the east of Sewingshields farm. It is constructed with narrow walls that are thick and have a mortar core. Interestingly, it has unusually short wing walls that suggest it was constructed late in the scheme. The cores of both the wall and the turret's wing walls are made of large whinstone blocks. Visitors to Milecastle 34 can learn about the fascinating history of the Roman occupation of England and the construction of Hadrian's Wall. While there are no visible remains of the milecastle, the site offers a unique opportunity to explore the area and imagine what it would have been like during Roman times. The walled enclosure adds to the ambiance of the location and provides a peaceful setting for visitors to reflect on the history of the site. In conclusion, Milecastle 34 is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Roman history and the construction of Hadrian's Wall. Although there are no visible remains of the milecastle, the site offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the area and explore the beautiful surroundings. Don't forget to visit Turret 34A, located just east of Sewingshields farm, to complete your experience at this historical site.

Location: Northumberland

Source: Wikimedia