Hardknott Roman Fort

Audio Guide to Hardknott Roman Fort

Join Andrew Roberts, English Heritage Properties Historian, in conversation with Jess Freeland, Interpretation Manager, at Hardknott Roman Fort in the Lake District.

Together they explore some key locations around the site, and discuss what we know about the fort, why the Romans chose to build it in such a remote location, and what life might have been like for the soldiers garrisoned here.

The guide is designed so you can enjoy it whether you are at the fort or elsewhere. For on-site listening, it’s best to download before you go (via the link below right), as mobile reception at Hardknott is poor.

You can also listen to the audio guide via the Bloomberg Connects app. 

Image gallery

Scroll through these images to view some of the key locations explored in the audio guide.

Main gate

Main gate

Main gate
The main (south) gate of the fort. There were gates on all four sides of the fort and a tower at each corner
Headquarters building

Headquarters building

Headquarters building
The entrance to the headquarters building, or principia, the heart of the fort
Headquarters building and commander’s house

Headquarters building and commander’s house

Headquarters building and commander’s house
Next door to the principia (foreground) was the commander’s house, or praetorium (left). This would originally have come as far forward as the principia, but half of it has disappeared
Granaries

Granaries

Granaries
The fort’s granaries, seen here looking down towards the principia and praetorium, still have the buttresses projecting from the sides to help hold up the heavy walls and roof
Parade ground

Parade ground

Parade ground
This flattened area in the foreground, seen here looking back towards the fort, was the parade ground, where the soldiers could practise their battle techniques
Bath house

Bath house

Bath house
The remains of the bath house at Hardknott, which lie outside the south gate

Before you go

  • History of Hardknott Roman Fort

    Find out more about this spectacularly sited Roman fort and why the Romans chose to build it at the heart of the Lake District.

  • Download a transcript

    Download this PDF to read a full transcript of the audio guide to Hardknott Roman Fort.

  • The Romans in the Lake District

    Find out more about the network of forts and roads that the Romans built in the Lake District to control this area on the empire’s frontier.