Roman Military Sites in Wales

Roman Military Sites in Wales

English names, Roman names where known, four figure map reference, site type, size, and history, including garrisons and associated military units. Where there is uncertainty over identification of an element a ? is used after the element: a ? before a Roman name means that the form of the name is uncertain, but that it is linked to that site.

The Gazetteer is organised by Counties and unitary authorities

CarmarthenshireCardiffCaerphillyCeredigionConwayDenbighshire • FlintshireGwyneddIsle of AngleseyMonmouthshireNeath, Port TalbotNewportPowysRhonda, Cynon, TaffSwanseaVale of GlamorganWrexham

 

CARMARTHENSHIRE
Arosfa Gareg
SN8026
Marching camp, 18.0 ha Frere S. S., Britannia, 1978, p121
Careg y Bwci
SN6447
Signal tower?Davies, J. L. ‘Careg y Bwci: a Roman watch tower?’, Archaeologia Cambrensis 1988, pp147-53
Carmarthen
Moridunum
SN4120
Two forts ( Flavian – c 120 AD) with four occupation phases Britannia XXV (1994) p248-9
Dolaucothi
See Pumpsaint
Llandovery
Alabum?
SN7635
2.4 ha fort , Neronian?, definitely occupied late 1st century and abandoned c 160 AD. Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp95-6
Pant-teg-Uchaf
SN6449
Training site with two practice camps or fortlets Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp126-30
Pumpsaint
Luentinum?
SN6540
A Flavian fort (1.9 ha) that was succeeded by a stone fort (0.9 ha) that was built c 120 AD and abandoned c 150 AD Camarthanshire Antiquary X, 1974, pp3-12
CARDIFF
Cardiff
Tamius?
ST1876
Pre-Flavian fort occupied until the end of the 1st century. In the late 3rd century a stone fort of typical late Roman design was built only to be abandoned at the end of the 4th century. The visible fort is a Victorian reconstruction. Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p34

 

CAERPHILLY
Caerphilly
ST1688
Flavian fort (1.2 ha) abandoned c 120 AD.Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p32
Gelligaer
ST1397
A Flavian fort abandoned c 120 AD. A smaller stone fort succeeded it, but was abandoned in the middle of the 2nd century.
ST1398 Practice camps
ST1198 Practice camps
Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p53
CEREDIGION
Erglodd
SN6590
Flavian fortlet, 0.2 ha that was abandoned early in the 2nd century. Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies XVIII, 1980, pp719-29
Llanio
Bremia
SN6456
Flavian fort of 1.8 ha that was abandoned c 120 AD. The garrison during the 2nd century was Cohors II Asturum equitata.Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, p129
Pen-llwyn
SN6580
2.9 ha fort, Flavian? occupied until c 120 AD Britannia IX (1978) p408
Trawscoed
SN6772
Flavian fort (2.4 ha) abandoned c 120 AD Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p76
CONWAY
Caerhun
Canovium
SH7770
Flavian fort (2.0 ha) that was abandoned during the middle of the 2nd century. The site was re-used during the 4th century, but abandoned again by the beginning of the 5th century. Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p14
Cerrigydrudion
SH9548
Fort? Britannia XXXI, 2000, p372
Bryn-y-Gefeiliau
SH7457
Late Flavian fort. 1.6 ha, abandoned c 120 ADNash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp51-4
DENBIGHSHIRE
Prestatyn
SJ0681
Two forts? Britannia XVI (1985) pp324-5
Ruthin
SJ1058
Fort? Flavian occupied until circa 100 AD
SJ1358 Military site linked to the one above? Waddelove, Waddelove and Jones Britannia XX (1989) pp249-254, also pp258-259

Britannia XXVII (1996) p390

FLINTSHIRE
Ffridd
SJ2854
Fort Britannia XX, 1989, pp258-9
Frith
see Ffridd
GWYNEDD
Aberffraw
SH3569
1st century? fort, with two occupation phases Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies XVIII, 1980, pp319-42
Brithdir
SH7718
Flavian fortlet, 0.3 ha, abandoned c 120 AD. In 1976 an excavation lead by R. B. White for the Gwyned Archaeological Trust found evidence of lead smelting and tanning being carried out by the garrison of the fort.

Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp130-31

Caer Gai
SH8731
Flavian fort, 1.7 ha that was abandoned c 120 AD;. It was garrisoned by Cohors I Nerviorum. The fort may have succeeded the pre-Flavian fort at Llanfor. Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p11
Caernarfon
Segontium
SH4862
Flavian fort (2.3 ha) continued in occupation until the end of the 4th century. Garrisoned by Cohors I Sunucorum in the early 3rd century(?) and by the Seguntienses (late 4th century) .Fortlet or works depot

Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p15

Derwydd-Bach
SH4745
Marching camp Journal of Roman Studies LXIII, 1973, p241
Doldinas
SH7337
Training site, with five practice camps, all no larger than 0.2 haFrere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p29
Hen Waliau
SH4862
FortletRCAHMW, Caernarvonshire Volume 2: Central, 1960
Llanfor
SH9336
Fort (3.6 ha) abandoned by 80 AD, possibly replaced by Caer Gai. Supply depot, 1.2 ha with a watch tower(?) in its north west corner

Two overlapping marching camps, one of 11 ha, the other about 3 ha

Britannia XXIX, 1998, pp368-9

Llety Canol
SH7818
Signal tower Britannia XXVIII, 1997, p399
Llwyn-Crwn
SH7138
Training site with two practice camps, 0.8 ha and 0.1 ha Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p51
Llyn Hiraethlyn
SH7436
Four practice camps Britannia XXVIII, 1997, pp397-9
Pen Llystyn
SH4844
1.8 ha Flavian fort that was succeeded by a Flavian fortlet. Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p62
Pennal
SH7000
1.7 ha Flavian fort, abandoned c 120 AD. Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p62
Pen-y-Gwryd
SH6555
Marching camp (4.0 ha)Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p63
Rhyd Sarn
SH8627
Training site with two practice camps (0.2 ha and 0.4 ha) Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p65
Tomen-y-Mur
SH7038
Flavian fort(1.7 h) succeeded by a stone fort (1.3 ha) built early 2nd century and abandoned c 120.
SH7138 Training site with two very small practice camps Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p76
ISLE OF ANGLESEY
Caer Gybi
SH2482
Fortlet on the coast at Holyhead harbour, 0.3 ha, 4th century? Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp135-7
Caer y Twr
See Holyhead Mountain
Holyhead Mountain
SH2182
4th century watch tower Britannia XIII (1982) p328
MONMOUTHSHIRE
Abergavenny
Gobannium
SO2914
Neronian fort? Flavian fort abandoned c 120 ADNash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, p45
Monmouth
Blestium
SO5012
Flavian fort? Britannia XIX, 1988, p423
Trostrey
SO3604
Two forts (?) Britannia XXVIII, 1997, p400
Usk
Burrium
SO3700
20 ha Neronian legionary fortress. There is evidence for Legio XX Valeria Victrix as the garrison, but a tile stamped Legio II Augusta has been found on the site. The fortress was succeeded by a fort or works depot of Flavian date that was occupied until circa 120AD. The garrison of the fortress may have included cavalry from an ala or cohors equitata.

Manning Report on the excavations at Usk 1965-1976 University of Wales Press (1981)

Britannia XXVII (1996) pp51-110

Hassall, M., Pre-Hadrianic legionary dispositions in Roman Fortresses and their legions, ed Brewer, London & Cardiff 2000

NEATH, PORT TALBOT
Blaen-cwm-Bach
SS7998
Marching camp, 24.4 haAgache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p27
Coelbren
SN8510
Flavian fort abandoned c 120 AD
SN8610 Marching camp Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p39
Carn Caca
SN8300
Marching campRCAHMW Glamorgan Volume 1 Part 2 , 1976
Hirfynydd
SN8104
Watch tower? Britannia XXV (1994) p250
Melyn Court
See Carn Caca
Neath
Nidum
SS7497
Flavian fort abandoned c 120 AD; the site was re-used as a fort? during the late 3rd century Britannia XXV (1994) p250
Rheola Forest
See Hirfynydd
NEWPORT
Bulmore
ST3791
Fortlet Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, p81
Cat’s Ash
see Bulmore
Coed y Caerau
see Bulmore
Caerleon
Isca
ST3390
20 ha Flavian legionary fortress, established c 75 AD and rebuilt in stone starting c 100 AD. The fortress was occupied from its foundation until the late 3rd century by Legio II Augusta, although often not at full strength given the legion’s building work on the two northern walls and its commitments at Corbridge. gache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p32

 

POWYS
Abertanat
SJ2420
Pre-Flavian fort? part of a complex of sites that also includes Clawdd Coch and Llansantffraid Britannia XXV (1994) p246
Allt yr Hafod-Fawr
SN8131
Two practice camps, close to Y PigwnBritannia XXIX, 1998, pp366-367
Clawdd Coch
SJ2519
Marching camp
SJ2420 Marching camp; The camps are part of a complex of sites that also includes Abertanant and Llansantffraid Britannia XXV (1994) p246
Buelah
See Caerau
Brecon Gaer
See Y Gaer
Cae-Gaer
SN8281
Flavian fort, 1.1 haFrere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p14
Caerau
SN9250
Flavian fort, 1.7 ha, abandoned c 120 – 150
SN9150 Marching camp, 14.8 ha
SN9249 Training site, 0.1 haFrere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p14
Caersws
SO0492
Pre-Flavian fort
SO0292 Flavian fort of 3.1 ha. Remained occupied until the early 4th century. Tiles stamped by Cohors I Celtiberorum equitata found on the site, this unit is recorded in Britain in the first half of the 2nd century, and a shard of samian with a possible scratched name referring to a cohort of Asturians. Britannia XXVI, 1995, p388 – samian
Castell Collen
SO0562
Flavian fort (2.0 ha;) followed by a smaller fort (1.4 ha) that was occupied until the early 3rd century. Journal of Roman Studies XLVII, 1957 p227

 

Clyro
SO2243
Pre-Flavian fortress, 10.4 ha, with evidence of two occupation periods; may have succeeded Clifford (Hereford and Worcester) Marching camp

Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp77-80

Colwyn
SN1054
Pre-Flavian fort?
Dolau Gaer
SO0166
Pre-Flavian fort (1.7 ha)?Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp138-40
Esgairperfedd
SN9269
Marching camp (6.8 ha)Journal of Roman Studies LIX, 1969, pp123-5

 

Forden Gaer
Levobrinta?
SO2098
Flavian fort (3.3 ha) occupied until the late 4th century and although it was re-constructed on several occasions, it never received stone defences. Britannia VII (1976) p296
Glanmiheli
SO1590
Marching camp (c 4.5 ha)Journal of Roman Studies LXIII, 1973, p235
Harpton
SO2360
Signal tower (?)Britannia XXIX, 1998, p374
Hindwell Farm
SO2560 SO2559
Pre-Flavian fort (2.3 ha) abandoned in the late 1st century. Four marching camps, 17.7 ha, 2.4 ha, 3.1 ha and 2.1 ha

Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p79

Llandrindod Common
SO0560
SO0559
Training site with 18 practice camps Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp126-130
Llanfair Caerinion
SJ1004
Fort
Llansantffraid
SJ2220
Pre-Flavian supply base with polygonal ground plan; it has been suggested that it dates from Didius Gallus’s campaign against Caratacus; part of a complex of sites that also includes Abertanant and Clawdd Coch Britannia XXV (1994) p246
Llwyn-y-Brain
SO0492
Pre-Flavian fort (4.1 ha) may have preceded the pre-Flavian fort at Caersws. Britannia XV (1984) p267
Nantmel
SO0268
Marching camp? Browne, D., & Hogg, A. H. A., Archaeology in Wales 27, 1987
Pen y Crogbren
SN8593
Hadrianic fortlet (0.1 ha)Frere S. S., and St Joseph J. K., Roman Britain from the air, 1983, p139
Pen-Min-Cae
SO0053
Flavian fortlet (0.1 ha) abandoned late 1st centuryJournal of Roman Studies LXIII, 1973, p241
Pen-y-Gaer
SO1621
Flavian fort abandoned c 120 AD Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp108-110

 

Trefal
see Nantmel
St Harmon
SN9871
Marching camp (7.7 ha) Journal of Roman Studies LIX, 1969, pp123-5
Walton
see Hindwell Farm
Y Gaer
Cicucium
SO0029
Flavian fort, the defences of which were re-built in stone in the mid 2nd century. It was occupied until the late 4th century and garrisoned during the late 1st century by Ala Hispanorum Vettonum CR Archaeology in Wales XXXIII, 1993

 

Y Pigwn
SN8231
Two slightly overlapping pre-Flavian? marching camps
Fortlet Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969. pp124-5
Ystradfellte
SN9216
Marching camp Nash-Williams, V. E., The Roman Frontier in Wales, 1969, pp125-6
RHONDA, CYNON, TAFF
Pen-y-Coedcae
ST0687
Marching camp RCAHMW, Glamorgan Volume 1 Part 1, 1976, p99
Twyn-y-Bridallt
ST0098
Marching camp Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p100
Pen-y-Darren
SO0506
Flavian fort abandoned c 120 AD Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p79
SWANSEA
Pen-y-Waun
SS6097
Training site, with two practice camps RCAHMW Glamorgan Vol 1 pt 2, 1976
Stafford Common
SS5997
Training site RCAHMW, Glamorgan Volume 1 Part 2, 1976, p101
Loughor
Leucarum
SS5697
Flavian fort abandoned in the middle of the 2nd century; the site was re-used as a fort? from the late 3rd until the early 4th century Fortlet early 2nd century

Archaeologia Cambrensis 1974, pp99-146

VALE OF GLAMORGAN
Cowbridge
Bovium?
SS9974
Flavian fort? Agache. R, et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Condate-Glevum-Londinium-Lutetia, Oxford, 1983, p41
WREXHAM
Holt
Bovium?
SJ4054
A pottery covering 8 ha operated by the Legio XX Valeria Victrix from the end of the 1st century until c 250 AD Frere, S. S., et al, Tabula Imperii Romani: Britannia Septentrionalis, Oxford, 1987, p43

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