Binchester Roman Fort AKA Vinovia (Binchester)

Binchester © DCC 2007

This is the site of the Roman fort of Binchester. It stands on an area of flat land overlooking the River Wear, and guarded the point where it was crossed by the Roman road known as Dere Street. Much of the site is covered in grass, and part of the site has been destroyed by the river. The first mid 1st century fort was built of wood, but was replaced in stone and wood. It was rebuilt in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. The remaining ramparts can be clearly seen as earthworks, and stones are visible in one or two places. The surrounding ditch is also visible in many places. The remains of the central road can also be seen as a slight bank.

This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument protected by law. Public access beyond the visitor centre is not permissible except with the express permission of landowners.

The site of Binchester (VINOVIA) Roman fort. Roman occupation of the site began in the early Flavian period (69-75 AD) and continued throughout the Roman period and into the 5th century. The fort was established to guard the river crossing of Dere Street, the main Roman road running from York to Corbridge. The fort covers an area of 4 to 4.5 hectares and there are remains of a large associated vicus (civil settlement). The remains survive as earthworks and a small excavated area of the well-preserved remains of the commanding officer's baths-suite is on permanent public display. Parts of the south-eastern ramparts of the fort survive as earthworks, however landslips have destroyed large parts of the south west side and part of the vicus. Binchester Hall and Binchester Hall Farm were built on top of the north edge of the fort.Excavations carried out since 2009 as part of the Durham-Stanford Research Project have revealed well preserved remains of late Roman/ sub-Roman stratigraphy. The extensive remains of the vicus, to the east of the fort as well as either side of Dere Street to the north-west and south-east, have also been identified through geophysical survey.

Reference number:

D1420

Historical period:

Roman (43 to 410)
Early Medieval (410 to 1066)

Legal status:

Scheduled Monument
• National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1002362

Event(s):

Excavation Programme, Binchester Roman Fort 2009 -2015; Dept of Archaelogy Durham Uni; Dept of Classics Stanford uni, DCC; Arch & Arch Durham & Northhumberl
Excavation at Binchester Hall Farm 1996; Central Archaeological Service doi:10.5284/1033733
Evaluation at Binchester Fort for Time Team 2007
Aggregate areas in County Durham Archaeological Assessment (ALSF) Project 2006 - 2007; Archaeological Research Services Ltd
Geophysical Survey at Binchester Roman Fort 1997
Geophysical Survey at Binchester Roman Fort 2004; GeoQuest Associates
Evaluation at Binchester Roman Fort visitor facilities, 1995; Northern Archaeological Associates
Metal Detecting Rally at Binchester Roman Fort and Vicus 1999; Unknown
Watching Brief at Binchester Plantation, Binchester Roman Fort 1994; Northern Archaeological Associates
Geophysical Survey at Binchester Fort for Time Team, 2007; GSB Prospection Ltd
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1878 - 1889
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1929
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1937
Excavation at Binchester Roman Fort 1955; Durham Colleges Archaeological Society
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort, 1976-1981
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1964 - 1970; Bishop Auckland Archaeological Research Group
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1972 - 1973; Bishop Auckland Archaeological Research Group
Water Pipeline Watching Brief at Binchester Roman Fort 1977
Resistivity survey at Binchester Roman Fort 1979
Fieldwalking at Binchester Roman fort 1978 - 1979
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1986 - 1991
Geophysical survey at Binchester Roman Fort 1987 - 1988; Bradford University
Evaluation at Binchester Hall, Bishop Auckland, 2005; Archaeological Services University of Durham
Observations at Binchester Roman Fort 1988; Bowes Museum
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort 1978; Bowes Museum Antiquities officer
An Archaeological Watching Brief at the car park site, Binchester Roman Fort, County Durham 1996; Northern Archaeological Associates
RCHME: Durham SAMs Project 1991; Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
Durham Magnesian Limestone Survey 1983 - 1984; Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
Watching Brief at the Car Park Site, Binchester Roman Fort 1996; Northern Archaeological Associates
Geophysical Survey at Binchester Roman Fort, Area 1, 2009; Archaeological Services Durham University
Geophysical Survey at Binchester Roman Fort, Area 2, 2010 and 2013; Archaeological Services Durham University
Geophysical Survey at Binchester Roman Fort, Area 3, 2009 and 2013; Archaeological Services Durham University
Watching Brief at Binchester Roman Fort 2015; Pre-Construct Archaeology doi:10.5284/1040859
Excavation at Binchester Roman Fort Cemetery, County Durham 2016 - 2017; Department of Archaeology, Durham University
Excavations at Binchester Roman Fort, County Durham 2018 and 2019; Northern Archaeological Associates Ltd
Excavation, Binchester Hall, 1971; Department of Archaeology, Durham University

See also:

Source of Reference

Disclaimer -

Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.

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