Ambleside Roman Fort

The Ambleside Roman Fort was built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, the ruler responsible for the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. The fort was built to guard the Roman road from Brougham to Ravenglass.

It was also a supply base where tools and armour were made and repaired, and around 500 soldiers lived here. The fort was made of stone and was crucial to the Roman occupation of Cumbria, guarding key routes through the central Lakes.

Excavations at the site revealed coins which suggested the fort was in use continuously for almost three centuries. It was abandoned in the 4th century AD. Not much else is known about its history, including its name, which may be Galava, meaning fort beside a forceful stream.

Research has found that it could have been called Clanoventa or Glannoventa instead. This name means market on the water and is also associated with the fort at Ravenglass.

Ambleside Roman Fort was erected on the site of an even earlier fort, which was made of timber and was likely only occupied for about 25 years.

The fort today

Today, you can see the remains of the stone wall foundations, which mark the outline of the fort’s most important buildings. Look out for:

• Eastern and southern gates
• North-eastern and south-eastern towers
• Pivot holes for the large wooden doors that were on the double gateway in the eastern wall
• Granaries – two large rectangular buildings
• Commander’s house
• Strongroom

The remains are surrounded by fields and countryside, with spectacular views over the surrounding fells. The fort’s tranquil location means you can wander around the open layout, imagining what everyday life was like for the soldiers who were based here.

There are interpretation boards around the ruins to provide you with more information about the fort and show you what it would have been like when it was used.