Richborough Roman Fort

Richborough, or Rutupiae as it was known as in Roman times, was the point that the Roman armies first came ashore in Britain in AD43, the start of over 350 years of Roman rule. In those days the area was a sheltered inlet that was perfect for landing armies and equipment. Over the centuries the sea has retreated over a mile leaving the area a little way in land. 

 The invading armies would initially have built fortifications to defend the area and then, as the Roman forces expanded into Britain a town built up where supplies to continued to be landed and people lived and traded. A huge triumphal arch was also built, festooned in Carrera marble, which would have been visible for many miles. 

However, for reasons that are not entirely clear, a military threat to the area was perceived and, around AD275, the town and the arch were demolished and a large fort built in their place. A little over 100 years later Romans began to leave and by around AD410 the occupation was effectively over with Richborough being the last place that Romans would have occupied as they set sail for mainland Europe. 

Although the occupation came to an end the fort survived with substantial sections of the walls still in place today. Excavations in the 1920s and 1930s, uncovered the base of the ceremonial arch, defensive ditches, some houses along with other remains such as the Roman bath house. More recently, based on research and on site eveidence of the location, a reconstruction of the original wooden gate house, along with some banking and the look out tower have been recreated to give an impression of how it would have looked in AD43. There is also a small museum on site detailing history and displaying recovered artefacts. 

Depite being only 15 - 20 minutes from me it was over 50 years that I lasted went so this visit a few days ago was very over due!