'Eskdale - Hard Knott Roman Fort'

Location : Boot
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 219015

Looking west onto the fort

Hard Knott Fort (known to the Romans as MEDIOBOGDUM) is near the Eskdale end of Hard Knott Pass which, with Wrynose Pass, connects Eskdale with central Lakeland (one of the most thrilling and challenging drives in Lakeland!)

The Roman Fort, one of the loneliest outposts of the Roman Empire, built between AD120 and AD138 is on a spectacular site overlooking the pass which forms part of the Roman road from Ravenglass to Ambleside and Brougham at Penrith. The walls surrounded granaries, barracks, and a commandant's house. The baths, with a sequence of three rooms can be seen outside the main walls. An area of flattened ground is believed to be a parade area.

Hard Knott from Hard Knott Roman Fort

The Scafells from Hard Knott Roman Fort

Looking down to the Roman Fort and Eskdale

Zooming in on the Roman Fort

The fort is on land owned by the National Trust, and maintained by English Heritage.

Photos by Ann Bowker.

Cumbria's Roman Heritage: Hardknott (Mediobogdum) - by Matthew Emmott.