Hadrian's Wall
Once the North West Frontier of the Roman Empire, Hadrian's Wall, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies just south of Longtown.
The nearest Wall Fort to Longtown was Camboglanna believed by scholars to have been the site of 'Camlann', King Arthur's last battle.
Today, the handsome country house 'Castlesteads' occupies the famous site overlooking the fords of the River Irthing.
There were two strategically placed 'outpost forts' north of the Wall at Bewcastle and Netherby near Longtown. They were garrisoned by powerful 'Cohortes Milliariae Equitate' mixed cavalry and infantry units one thousand strong.
As there were only five such units in Britain at the time, this may indicate the strategic importance of the Longtown area to the Roman Commanders.
Netherby fort had an additional attachment of Scouts (exploratores) - hence the fort's name - Castra Exploratorum - the Fort of the Scouts.