Milecastle 42, Roman military fortification on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England
Milecastle 42 is a Roman fortification on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, positioned on a steep south-facing slope. The remains show stone walls forming a rectangular layout that served as a guard post within the larger defensive line.
The Legio II Augusta built this post around 122 AD as part of Emperor Hadrian's defensive system at Rome's northern frontier. It remained occupied for only a few decades before falling into disuse and later being used as a source of stone.
The name milecastle reflects the Roman practice of posting garrison stations at regular intervals along the wall. Visitors can see where soldiers once stood guard and understand how daily life unfolded for these troops stationed in a remote northern landscape.
The site sits along the Hadrian's Wall Path, a well-marked walking route accessible from the Cawfields car park. Wear sturdy footwear as the ground is uneven and can be slippery, especially after rain.
This site sits at a high elevation with sweeping views across the landscape, which made it a key observation point for sentries. The elevated position allowed guards to monitor movement on both sides of the wall across a wide area.
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