Corbridge (Corstupitum) Town – Quick Facts

Where

South of Hadrian’s Wall just off the A69 running between Newcastle and Carlisle, east of Hexham. Map & Website

When

  • The invading Roman army arrived this far north in AD 79 under the command of General Gnaeus Julius Agricola.
  • A fort was built here around AD 80. This was a strategic location at the intersection of the north-south Roman road from London (Dere Street), and the Stanegate road that ran west to Carlisle. The legionary fortress of Eboracum (York) was to the southeast.
  • Corstupitum began as a supply base with a turf and timber fort. A stone fort was built when Hadrian’s Wall was constructed several miles to the north.
  • Corstupitum remained an active fort during the 2nd century but by the 3rd century its military role diminished and it was enveloped by its vicus, or civilian settlement, becoming a town.

What Remains

  • Granaries– much of their raised stone floors are in place revealing the space beneath left for ventilation protecting the grain from moisture and rot. Corstupitum’s granaries are also home to the only surviving mullion vent in situ in Britain. This diamond-shaped vent was part of the air circulation system that included wooden shutters at the top of the walls.
  • Aquaduct and Fountain House – An aqueduct brought water to a fountain house that faced onto the main street. On either side of the water tank are statue pedestals that once held statues of Victories. In the museum are fragments of the fountain house’s pediment, which had two winged Victories and a wreath with the inscription of LEG XX VV FECIT, “the Twentieth Legion, called Valeria Victrix, built this”.
  • Town – On the south side of the main street there are a mixture of house, temple, workshop and barrack remains. Along a side street are drains, a well and the curved apse of a temple. At the west end there are remains of a strong room and a pottery shop with a kiln.
  • Museum – A good exhibit of finds from the site as well as from the nearby area. A large stele depicts a soldier on horseback with a man cowering beneath sheltering his head with his arms. Another iconic piece is the statue of a lion attacking a stag. There is also a replica of a silver platter called the Corbirdge lanx (the original is in the British Museum) which depicts a scene of Apollo in his sanctuary on Delos attended by Athena and Artemis.