Epiacum Roman Fort

30/06/2024

Great photos and another fantastic review of Epiacum Roman Fort and The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe

23/06/2024

Are you at a loose end today?

Head to Epiacum for a fantastic walk

You can follow the Ancient Routes trail or , especially enjoyable for families is the Venatus Trail ( a clue trail around the fort) - it’s great fun , educational too - and a fantastic way to tire out the children for bedtime!!

Either way, you will enjoy a piece of local history and learn about the people who lived at Epiacum.

Romans and Reivers in one place.

Pick up trail leaflets in our Centurion Hut in the car park The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe ( leave a donation for Epiacum Heritage please) and enjoy!

Keep your eyes peeled for some of our local wildlife too!

CA9 3BG

20/06/2024

It’s a lovely day to head up on to the site - the ground is drying up and the sun is due to shine!

Head up on to the Ancient Routes trail and take a peek at Well House Bastle

You won’t be disappointed
The curlews and lapwings are in flight and it’s just a perfect day up here in the North Pennines!

CA9 3BG
A689
Two miles north of Alston

18/06/2024

We are planning a range of guided walks this season! Here is one to get started with !
These ones must be pre-booked and arranged directly by calling the mobile number ( or by messaging the page)

Rumour has it that summer is on its way - hopefully for more than a day or two!

So - dig out your walking boots and pencil in for a Monday! Times can be arranged on enquiry

12/06/2024

Wellhouse Bastle is worth exploring - and , if you enter the internal door into the barn, you will find our Border Reiver display and interpretive model - with lots of buttons to press. It’s great for children ( and adults love it too!)

09/06/2024

Take a closer look at Epiacum!
Images 1 and 2 are by Tony Hunt , showing the archaeology ( earthworks).
Image no 2 is the Bath House and the clearly defined rooms within it.

Tony’s generosity to Epiacum and his valued support and enthusiasm for the site is giving us new insights into what lies beneath the grass.

Image no 3 is the drone footage taken by Historic England in 2009 and the bath house can be also be seen here.

Even in the last 15 years, technology has developed enormously, supporting a non intrusive approach to understanding Epiacum

Click on the images and zoom in to see the extensive earthworks of the buildings in the interior of the fort and the bath house .
It is clear that the bath house is a later addition to the fort since the ramparts were flattened to build it. It’s likely that this was a bath house used by the troops at a time when the external threat had reduced.

However …. There is still so much to learn about the site and images like these ones underpin the many questions that the experts still have!

02/06/2024

I'm sure that this was really impressive.
Imagine the Nook car park completely full of soldiers

A truly awesome sight. Reenactors from all over Europe make up the column at one of the most memorable festivals at Xanten in Germany.

31/05/2024

Well our much celebrated moles have now taken up residence in The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe! Thankfully only in a corner and not doing too much damage!

Find a selection of named moles ( all Roman of course) for sale at £5 and be in with a chance to win a prize!

When they are all sold we will draw a lottery for the winning name , which will ceremonially be given to our Centurion Mole in the car park!

Will it be Marik , Mataeo or Maximus? Or something else?
It’s all in the luck of the draw!

31/05/2024

Well House is just on the doorstep , located Epiacum Roman Fort

CA9 3BG
Two miles north of Alston
The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe

click on the image to watch this fabulous flyover

Video Interpretation – Wellhouse BastleFunded by Farming in Protected Landscapes – North Pennines AONBMedia – Dextra Visual

31/05/2024

Bastle Houses are architecturally distinct and fairly unique to a period in History concerned with the ”debateable lands” in the North of England and the Scottish borderlands. Ruthless clans would wage war on each other, stealing cattle and destroying crops and homesteads. This activity was known as “Reiving” and the clans became known as “The Border Reivers”
Fierce battles would take place and Bastles were built with defence at their heart. Small narrow doorways and windows which were little more than “slits” in thick stone walls gave families some security. Attackers could be more easily dealt with if they tried to forcibly enter the house . Notably, the ground floor was used for livestock housing, while the people lived upstairs (presumably away from harm’s way). The animals also served as a form of central heating , providing warmth for the humans above them.
Castle Nook has evidence of six Bastles , some are only remaining foundations, whilst some have been renovated into new dwellings. Well House Bastle remains the best example and, since 2008, it has been consolidated and brought into a new use. Many of the original architectural features remain. The original main door remains in the western gable end, although it has been blocked by a fireplace on the other side. Small windows may have been enlarged but it is still possible to make out the original form. It is also possible to see how the families who lived there moved from upstairs to downstairs living , presumably as the fear of threat diminished and times became more settled.
An additional barn for the animals is now used as a rustic information point, telling the story of The Border Reivers. There are some great panels and an interactive house depicting "Life in a Bastle".

You can visit Well House Bastle as part of the “Ancient Routes” trail across the farm. An interactive display helps visitors to understand how the people lived here and farmed the landscape, establishing themselves in this part of the North Pennine hills.

Interpretive sketches by Conservation Archaeologist, Peter Ryder show how the house evolved and a 2023 digital reconstruction flyover view by Martin Moss (Dextra Visual) show Well House Bastle in the landscape. The people who lived there long after roman times , nestled in the shadow of Epiacum Roman Fort, must have wondered about their ancestors and the impact their roman neighbours had on the landscape.

This video of Well House interprets how the building evolved externally over it's lifetime. The footprint of the building remains today and our recent consolidation work means you can safely visit it and enjoy a step back into time.

You can find a leaflet in The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe or in the Centurion Hut in the car park. We appreciate a voluntary donation to cover costs (donation box on the hut)

We are grateful to Defra for Farming in Protected Landscapes via the North Pennines National Landscape for funding the building work , bastle house model , video and trail leaflets

Video Interpretation – Wellhouse BastleFunded by Farming in Protected Landscapes – North Pennines AONBMedia – Dextra Visual

25/05/2024

My little helpers were busy today laying the Venatus Trail out on site.
It was great opportunity to test it out on my 7 and 5 1/2 year old grandchildren and I was impressed with their concentration and thinking skills .

We visited the bastle house then headed up to the fort

Poppy complained her legs were achingbut she kept going!

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get the family out for a fun filled walk this half term , then head to Epiacum Roman Fort , pick up a leaflet The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe( donation appreciated ) and enjoy!

CA9 3BG
A689 - 2 miles north of Alston

24/05/2024

“Whitley Wall” … it could catch on!

After all , Hadrian is such old news !! 🤔🤔🤔😂😂😂😂

Epiacum Roman Fort in Northumberland, England, has some impressive surviving earthworks. I came back today and couldn't resist another photo of this farm wall built over the earthworks. I will post a video soon of the defensive ditches and banks.

24/05/2024

Our friend International Man of History has drawn much attention to the site and , in particular, our dramatic drystone wall , rebuilt by local Waller Stephen Bowman.

Lots of people are coming into The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe and commenting on how beautiful it is and some have called it a “work of art”

It surely is, drawing attention to Epiacum’s unique and dramatic rampart formations.

We would love to record this wall.
If anyone would like to come and draw it or paint it or lead an art class it would make a great project!

Epiacum Roman Fort in Northumberland, England, has some impressive surviving earthworks. I came back today and couldn't resist another photo of this farm wall built over the earthworks. I will post a video soon of the defensive ditches and banks.

21/05/2024

Our beautiful willow arch ( the access to the heritage site) is blooming again …. Walk through it to explore Epiacum and Wellhouse Bastle …. It’s a perfect day

CA9 3BG
A689
Two miles north of Alston

18/05/2024

News is in the pipeline …..

13/05/2024

It’s great to be able to announce that Wellhouse Bastle is now OPEN again after a period of closure for building maintenance

Thanks once again to our fabulous volunteer team , led by Steve Bentley (Trustee) the displays are back up and the solar lighting is working again

Our “Welcome” corner , which is also tended by volunteers Sue and John , is looking great! The willow arch is blooming again

If you haven’t visited before , why not head up the track to take a walk and enjoy some of our wonderful local heritage

Although the site is open access, we do encourage our visitors to leave us a small donation to help reprint our trail leaflets !
The “Ancient Routes” permissive access takes you across the whole site and tells the story of the way the landscape has been used and farmed in the past and the fantastic interpretive panels will give you an insight into how the fort may have looked in the past

Epiacum is well worth a visit if you’re in the area !

CA9 3BG
We are located on the A689 two miles north of Alston - just over the Northumberland border

Toilets and parking available courtesy of The Nook Farm Shop & Cafe

01/05/2024

This came up on my memory feed today - from 12 years ago
We called this the Jubilee Bead ( since that was the Queens Jubilee year)
It was tiny and only spotted by an eagle eyed molehill sifter!
I recently visited Vindolanda and saw one exactly like it in their museum

We do hope to be able to show off some of our molehill finds soon as they are really intriguing and generate so much interest!

The fort , which is a scheduled ancient monument , means that even these small finds , according to the law of the land, can not be removed - but molehill searches ( even in your garden) may throw up something interesting!

If you would like to find out more about our 2023 Molehill investigations you can do so on our webiste https://www.epiacumheritage.org/blog/post/summary-of-finds-from-the-molehill-survey-2023/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0pX_-fo2ZmSgQvagucpFR66HTQai3kxMhNjyCqHNVTPo-_YBDG3C3uUNc_aem_Ac3FjQ4MPDEEZ2koxqHxiqYvvZAQquC-z-GuoPCqH5BIL6YBhq54YTrkiTCkymPL9yfzqcpMSK9zCfNLxj4bXJ6w

30/03/2024

Thank you so much to our two wonderful volunteers , Sue and John - who gave up their day today to tend to our garden corner in readiness for Spring!
We appreciate all the valuable work done by our volunteers and look forward to seeing the garden full of colour again in the next few weeks!

30/03/2024

Spreading the word!

Our very own Alastair Robinson will be sharing the joys and history of Epiacum (Whitley Castle) with the good people of the Great Asby Historical Society on the 10th April 2024. They are in for a treat!

04/03/2024

On Saturday the Second Nervians crack Display Team were on manoeuvres in the Great Hall of the Discovery Centre in that there Newcastle for the Hadrian Wall Networking Day.

Huge thanks to Abigail for making sure the gear got there while your intrepid author (Steve) entered the Alston to Grainger Town Car Park Snow and Fog rally. Also mentioned in dispatches are Fran (display design) and Jo Trotter (remote printing and laminating)

Our new motto might be "Hadrian's Wall goes East to West but Epiacum ramparts are the best"

10/01/2024

...and now from Mole Radio!!

Epiacum Roman Fort made the national news this morning with Zoe Ball and the QI elves. Go to 1:50:55 on the attached clip.

Our moles have previously made the headlines when we first carried out molehill surveys! We went viral then!!

Keep an eye open for for more news on the 2023 molehill surveys, which were funded by Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001v1qr?fbclid=IwAR0GnKvrF6nCwX0jZTS5XTHSHPadedeQBdkB3Je2dd4DbObdFT4gqSPu8KQ

Wake up and embrace the day with Zoe Ball and Claudia Winkleman!

09/01/2024

Our beautiful willow arch is the gateway to the Epiacum site

Thank you to Julie Griffiths for this lovely photo

31/12/2023

An excellent update from our good friend Tony Hunt with a more detailed look at some of the features of Epiacum Roman Fort.

Some of the images were funded by the "Farming in a Protected Landscape" Initiative manged by the AONB and demonstrate what can be uncovered without using a spade or a trowel!

26/12/2023

Our good friend Tony Hunt paid us another visit today , on a cold and damp Boxing Day
Here are some photos he took , with great definition and showing off the preservation really well.

Thanks Tony - we look forward to continuing to work with you in 2024

24/12/2023

MOLEHILL NEWS!

The analysis of the finds from the molehill surveys has been completed. Check out the link below!

https://www.epiacumheritage.org/blog/post/summary-of-finds-from-the-molehill-survey-2023/

A fuller report will be published in the New Year.

Many thanks to our molehill volunteers, the archaeologists and the finds specialists and the Second Nervians for their contributions to this special project!

Epiacum Heritage is happy to announce that specialists have now completed their analysis of all the finds from the Molehill Project. They looked at the material from the 2011-15 and … Summary of finds from the Molehill Survey 2023 Read More »

21/12/2023

This was posted by Coanwood Featherstone Lambley Hartleyburn Knarsdale Plenmeller Tindale recently

It refers to part of the Epiacum site - and it’s good to know we got the name right for the Bastle House - Archers / Well House

We are continuing to preserve the building as part of our work and it’s always fascinating to consider the people who made it their home in the past.

This is part of the story of the house and we look forward to reopening it as soon as the works are completed.

14/11/2023

Everything you need to know all in one place
Booking deadline 30 November

An opportunity to join in some cultural fun …. What’s not to like?

Please book soon to help us plan!

Before Christmas there was ….. SATURNALIA, a midwinter festival to celebrate seed sowing and to look forward to the promise of a Spring harvest. It was a Roman festival when the tables … Saturnalia Read More »

09/11/2023

SATURNALIA ….. a jolly knees up just before Christmas - and an opportunity to socialise with friends and family
£15 per person , with food included
And a cash bar throughout !

Follow the link to our website to learn more and find out how to book!

Www.epiacumheritage.org/events

07/11/2023

Friday 15 December ….. join us for an evening of fun and fundraising at Alston Town Hall

Be sure to bring a hat …. Any hat!!!

31/10/2023

It’s a while since we had a fundraiser - before Covid , I think!

So,another of our fun evenings is well overdue!!

Click on the link below to find out more about how you can join us for an evening of Roman culture, hilarity and celebration!

Details of booking and ticket reservation are included - please share and encourage your friends to join us too!!

Before Christmas there was ….. SATURNALIA, a midwinter festival to celebrate seed sowing and to look forward to the promise of a Spring harvest. It was a Roman festival when the tables … Saturnalia Read More »