Name: Pike Hill Signal Tower - Hadrian's Wall
Rating: 5.0

Pike Hill Signal Tower - Hadrian's Wall

Banks, Brampton CA8 2BX, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Pike Hill is one of the few visible elements of the Roman frontier that pre-date Hadrian's Wall. Before the Wall was built in the early 2nd century AD, the soldiers posted here communicated by signalling to the forts along Stanegate, the road that ran east to west, south of what became the Wall.

Later incorporated into Hadrian's Wall, the tower commands magnificent views, which show exactly why this isolated site in Cumbria was chosen as a watch point. Today visitors can still take in its panoramic views, which show exactly why this isolated site in Cumbria was chosen as a watch point.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Pike Hill Signal Tower: Pike Hill Signal Tower is one of the few visible elements of the Roman frontier that pre-date Hadrian’s Wall. Before the Wall was built in the early 2nd century AD, soldiers were posted here to signal to nearby large forts on the Stanegate, an east–west road that ran along the frontier of Roman Britain. The tower was later incorporated into Hadrian’s Wall. Today visitors can still take in its panoramic views, which show exactly why this isolated site in Cumbria was chosen as a watch point.
The forgotten frontier: The Roman army advanced through northern England and into Scotland in the AD 80s while attempting to conquer Britain. Uprisings elsewhere in the empire meant that the army then retreated to a frontier across the narrowest part of northern England – the Tyne–Solway isthmus.
Hadrian’s Wall: Construction started on Hadrian’s Wall around AD 122, as part of Hadrian’s strategy of strengthening the north-west frontiers of the empire. Typically, Roman frontiers, such as the system around the Stanegate, consisted of large military bases and smaller outposts at important locations, joined by roads to allow swift communications. The landscape was monitored but not closed off to all travel. Smuggling or small-scale raiding was still feasible in bad weather or at night, although larger attacks could be dealt with by the garrisons stationed at the forts.
Pike Hill and the Wall: Standing on the higher ground north of the Stanegate, Pike Hill was already on the intended route of the Wall, and was incorporated within it.
Signalling on Hadrian’s Wall: Both before and after Hadrian’s Wall was built, signalling appears to have been the primary purpose of Pike Hill. Although no direct evidence of how the Romans communicated on Hadrian’s Wall has been found, accounts by Roman authors, archaeological evidence from elsewhere in the empire, and the positioning of Pike Hill provide clues as to how messages might have been transmitted.
The Tower’s Remains: Pike Hill takes advantage of the views from the highest point in the area, with clear lines of sight to the nearest forts on the Wall and the Stanegate. Much of the tower was destroyed in 1870 when a cutting was made for the road beside it, but parts of two sides and one corner survive.
Hadrian’s Wall in the area: Pike Hill is one of several Hadrian’s Wall sites west of Birdoswald Roman Fort, including Banks East Turret and Hare Hill to the west of Pike Hill, and Leahill and Piper Sike turrets to the east.

Facilities

Parking: The site shares a small car park with Banks East Turret, a two minute walk from the site. The car park is free to Members with a valid sticker. A footpath takes you from the car park to the tower across uneven turf which can become muddy.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Banks, Brampton CA8 2BX, UK

Post Code: CA8 2BX

Council: Cumberland

County: Cumbria

Road Access: On minor road east of Banks village.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: The site shares a small car park with Banks East Turret, a two minute walk from the site. The car park is free to Members with a valid sticker. A footpath takes you from the car park to the tower across uneven turf which can become muddy.