[NY 6950 4870] Whitley Castle Roman Fort. (1)
A lozenge-shaped fort of about four acres, with a well-defined multiple ditch system. The internal plan has not be recovered, but traces of the principia and angle towers survive. An inscription c.AD213 and pottery (3) attest 3rd and 4th century occupation. (2)(3)
Scheduled. (4)
Remains of the bath-house were excavated prior to 1810. (5)
Generally correctly described, and in good condition. The interior is much disturbed by surface quarrying, and no identifiable remains exist there. A few exposed foundations of the bath-house survive. ('A') Re-surveyed at 1/2500. (6)
As described and planned. (7)
EPIACUM. Probably the Roman fort at Whitley Castle. (8)
The position of the bath-house excavated c.1810 interrupts the line of the outer ditches. Air Photographs (11, 12) indicate that the fort had been smaller than it later became and that the bath-building was originally intended to lie beyond the north west corner of the fort. The rampart south west of the portae principales is much more massive and upstanding than that round the praetentura, which is likely to represent a later extension. The denuded remains of the line of the original north east rampart may be visible within the fort just north east of the via principalis. Various other internal structures, including part of the principia, show as shadow marks in unploughed rough pasture. Faint indications of small rectangular plots may belong to the vicus of the fort. The sinuous course of a leat to supply water to the bath-house may also be visible running from the ravine north of the fort. (9)(10)(11)
NY 695486. Knaresdale with Kirkhaugh. Whitley Castle listed under Roman remains. (12
Scheduled No 12. (13)
Multiple defences extend 46m beyond the rampart. [Photograph]. (14)
Altar set over a spring near extramural bath-house. Mid 3rd century date. Spring may have fed an aqueduct. (15)
Roman pottery from Whitley Castle. In Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle, 1985.28, given by J F Edgar. (16)