Carrawburgh
Archaeological Site Roman fortsite along Hadrian's Wall
On Hadrian’s Wall, Carrawburgh preserves Roman fort ruins and a Mithraeum site; history visitors follow the wall’s footpath to inspect masonry, inscriptions and the fort’s exposed remains.
Carrawburgh is the site of a Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, historically known as Brocolitia. The location is notable for Roman military remains and a shrine to the god Mithras uncovered there.
Remains include earthwork outlines of the fort, sections of the Wall and scattered stone foundations. The site is best known for the excavated Mithraeum and associated altars and inscriptions which illustrate Roman religious practice on the frontier.
Established in the Roman period as part of the frontier system built under the emperors in the 2nd century AD, the fort was occupied by Roman garrison units and used to control movement along the Wall. Excavations in the 20th century revealed religious dedications and artifacts from the site’s occupation.
The site sits on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England, beside the modern roadside that follows the line of the Wall and within the rural landscape of the northern frontier region.
- Alternate name and highlight: Also known historically as Brocolitia, the site contains one of the better-known Mithraic shrines discovered on Hadrian's Wall.
- Access note: Accessible from the B6318 military road that runs alongside sections of Hadrian's Wall, with visible ruins in agricultural land.
What to See #
- Mithraeum: A Roman shrine to the god Mithras discovered within the fort, with archaeological finds including altars and votive objects now conserved in regional collections.
- Fort and wall remains: Remains of the fort's earthworks, stretches of Hadrian's Wall, and scattered stone foundations visible along the roadside and in the surrounding pasture.
How to Get to Carrawburgh #
Carrawburgh is beside the B6318 (Military Road) near the village of Heddon-on-the-Wall and roughly 3 miles east of Hexham. The site is accessible from nearby car parks along the Hadrian’s Wall Path; walkers can approach on the footpath that follows the wall. Nearest rail station: Hexham (on the Tyne Valley Line) with local bus or taxi onward. Drive via A69 to the B6318 and look for small lay-bys and heritage signage.
Best Time to Visit Carrawburgh #
Weather & Climate near Carrawburgh #
Carrawburgh's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (968 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.