A tour of Ambleside Roman fort
Take a tour of Ambleside Roman fort
Writer Mark Richards above Ambleside Roman fort
Writer and Broadcaster Mark Richards talks about his new route Hadrian's High Way
Hardknott Fort
Far out on the North western edge of the empire, well over 1000 miles from Rome and over 800 feet above sea level lie the remains of Mediobogdum or Hardknott Fort.
Around 150 Roman forts are known to have existed in England. Construction began soon after the invasion of AD 43 and continued into the fourth century.
Hardknott fort was constructed between 120 and 138 AD, during the reign of Hadrian. It was subsequently evacuated or left with a greatly reduced garrison under the next emperor, Antoninus Pius (AD 138-61) but re-occupied at some time during the mid-2nd century. The fort was finally abandoned by the end of the 2nd century and is a rare UK example of an unmodified 2nd century Roman fort.
During the reign of Emperor Hadrian, and before the construction of the more famous wall, the fort was part of a chain of fortifications to prevent an invasion of Roman Britain.
It was built to control the Roman Road that left the port of Glannoventa (modern day Ravenglass) in the Eskdale Valley and crossed the Hardknott mountain to the fort at Galava or Ambleside. Nowadays, the single-track road is notorious as one of the steepest and most treacherous in Britain, loved by motoring enthusiasts, one can only imagine the difficulty of constructing, supplying and maintaining this military encampment high in the mountains of the Lake District.
Laid out with Roman military precision, Hardknott Fort remains a perfect square 110 meters per wall, with four gates and corner towers. The Roman road would have entered the fort via one gate and led travellers, merchants, and local peasents out through the opposite, ensuring the soldiers could maintain control of the key mountainous terrain, the movement of people and goods, and the levying of taxes.
Within the walls can be seen the remaining outlines of several buildings: two side-by-side granaries, the garrison headquarters building and garrison commander's villa, or Praetorium. In addition to these stone buildings, there would have been timber barracks and there is some evidence of leather tents.
Just outside the northern gate is the parade ground. Below the fort the ruins of a three room bath house complete with a circular hot room are a reminder that not all of life would have been austere and grim for the 500 men and officers of the Fourth Cohort of Dalmatians.
Hardknott Fort is jointly maintained by English Heritage and the National Trust. Not particularly accessible, you must navigate the Hardknott Pass and then walk to the Fort, which is perched on the middle slopes of the Hardknott peak.
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Live Audio recordings made with the Zoom H6 and Rode microphones.
Aerial photography by BrockAir using a DJI Mavic Pro quadcopter and recorded in 2K.
Edited in Final Cut Pro.
Music tracks from the 2000 epic Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott music composed by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, conducted by Gavin Greenaway.
Senātus Populusque Rōmānus
TRAVEL SERIES ENGLAND: ROMAN FORT & HADRIAN'S WALL, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE |TRAVELLER'S NEST NZ
UK : HADRIAN'S WALL
Filmed on three different locations on 19.03.2019 and 20.03.2019:
1.0 Ambleside Roman Fort,
2.0 Birdsowald Roman Fort,
3.0 Vindolanda
Ambleside Roman Fort is south of the town of Ambleside in the Lake District.
The town is situated at the head of Windermere England's largest natural lake.
The fort dates from AD79. It was called the Roman fort of Galava. The goods were delivered by boat to the fort. From there, the good were go north to Carlislie and up to the Hadrian's Wall.
We took this route to Birdsowald at the Hadrian's Wall. This is one of the best preserved forts of 16 forts along the wall.
The wall was orginally a turf wall, and later replaced by a stonewall.
At the time, we thought it was the landscape as to why the Roman empire did not go further north. However, the answer is far more simpler the Roman's took not overrun the Scots. They were too powerful.
Next stop was Vindolanda, a Roman auxiliary fort just south of the wall.
Most of the fort and town have been excavated.
The famous Vindolanda tablets, a set of wooden leaf tablets, were found here.
The oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain. We saw the rest of the set in the British museum in London.
COST: Vindolanda GBP 7.50 pp.
National Trust workers celebrate UNESCO World Heritage Status for the Lake District
National Trust workers celebrate UNESCO World Heritage Status for the Lake District, by creating a human version of the oak leaf logo. Captured by drone. Filmed at Galava Roman fort Ambleside Cumbria, captured by drone.
National Trust celebrate UNESCO World Heritage Status for the Lake District
National Trust workers celebrate UNESCO World Heritage Status for the Lake District, by creating a human version of the oak leaf logo. Captured by drone. Filmed at Galava Roman fort Ambleside Cumbria.
Lake District Walks: Around Loughrigg
Get a taste of the views that you will see on this wonderful Lake District walk around the edge of Loughrigg Fell, featuring stunning views of Ambleside, Windermere, The Langdale Valley, Loughrigg Tarn, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Rydal Caves.
The walk is suitable for families, and makes a great day out. You'll need good stout shoes, some provisions, and to check the weather forecast before you set off. The walk is easy to navigate, with clear paths for much of the way, but a map and compass or GPS should be taken. Don't forget your camera!
Red Bank Guest House Ambleside, Ambleside, England - United Kingdom (GB)
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Red Bank Guest House Ambleside, Ambleside, England - United Kingdom (GB)
Built in approximately 1904 the house was originally called Glenamble and was a large semi detached house with adjoining servants quarters. Our central location makes Red Bank Guest House an ideal base for discovering the Lake District - From here all the grandeur of the Lake District National Park are within easy reach - as are outdoor activities and water sports of every kind. We have 3 tastefully furnished en-suite rooms offering spacious deluxe Bed Breakfast accommodation with many little extras. Our 5 Star Visit Britain award together with our Silver Accolade reflect the comfort, quality and service enjoyed by our guests. Feel assured that we will do our very best to make your stay with us as relaxing and comfortable as possible. Although there has been a settlement since pre-Roman times, Ambleside is largely Victorian. A fort beside Borrans Park - named Galava - was built in Ambleside by the Romans, housing some 500 soldiers. It was built to defend the lower fells of South Lakeland from invasion by the Picts and Scots, and to guard the road to the Roman Port at Ravenglass via Hard Knott Pass. The opening of the Lake Windermere ferry terminal at Waterhead Pier in 1845 created further expansion. Today ferries can be taken to Bowness and Lakeside. Many well known characters have been connected with Ambleside, including William Wordsworth, Hardwicke Rawnsley, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter. More about these people can be found in the The Armitt Museum. William Wordsworth had an office here, in Church St, as a result of his role as Collector of Stamps for Westmorland. He was elected to the post soon after his family moved to their house at Rydal Mount. St Marys Church, completed in 1854, was designed by Sr George Gilbert Scott in the Early English style. It is mainly of local blue stone, with a sandstone spire, an unusual feature for a Lakeland church. There is a chapel devoted to the memory of William Wordsworth.Hotel Rating: Visit Britain 5 star
Hotel Features
General
Restaurant, Bar / Lounge, Non-Smoking Rooms, Fine Dining, En suite
Activities
Golf Course, Garden, Boating, Mountain Biking, Nature Trail, Walking, Windsurfing, Cycling, Mountain Climbing, Water Activities, Fishing, Animal Watching, Canoeing, Bird Watching, Kayaking, Lake
Services
Luggage Storage
Internet
High-speed Internet is available at this hotel. Wireless internet on site.
Parking
There is an airport shuttle that runs from the hotel.
Check-in
From 2:00 PM
Check-out
Prior to 11:00 AM
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