Roman BritainCorbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station
Roman Bridge · Infrastructure

Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station

Roman Britain
Pleiades ID: nhle-4788
Site type
Bridge
Category
Infrastructure
Latitude
54.9820
Longitude
-2.0271
Overview

History & context

The Corbridge Roman bridge carried the Stanegate (and later Dere Street) across the River Tyne immediately south of the supply base and town of Corstopitum. At least two successive stone bridges are known: an earlier Hadrianic/Antonine structure and a substantial later replacement of probable early 3rd-century date, the latter being one of the largest Roman bridges known in Britain, with massive ashlar piers spanning roughly 150 m of the river.

Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →

Significance

Historical significance

The bridge was a critical link on Dere Street, the principal north–south military road into Scotland, and served the supply functions of Corstopitum during the Severan campaigns and subsequent garrisoning of the northern frontier. Its scale reflects the strategic importance of Corbridge as a forward base behind Hadrian's Wall.

Archaeology

Archaeological record

Substantial remains of stone piers, abutments, and dressed masonry — including voussoirs, cornice blocks, and tie-bar fittings — survive in and beside the river channel, recorded notably by P.T. Bidwell and others; the river has shifted northward, leaving parts of the southern abutment on dry land. The masonry indicates a flat timber-decked superstructure on stone piers rather than masonry arches, comparable to the bridge at Chesters.

About this site

Questions & answers

What is Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station?

The Corbridge Roman bridge carried the Stanegate (and later Dere Street) across the River Tyne immediately south of the supply base and town of Corstopitum. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a bridge site from the Roman period in Britain.

What type of Roman site is Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station?

Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station is classified as a Roman bridge — a infrastructure site in the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer. Roman Britain's archaeology encompasses thousands of sites ranging from legionary fortresses and marching camps to villas, temples and towns.

What other Roman sites are near Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station?

Several Roman sites lie within a short distance, including *Coriosopitum/Coria (0.4 km), Milecastle 22 (Portgate) (3.4 km), Turret 21B (Fence Burn) (3.4 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.

How can I research the history of the area around Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station?

Aubrey Research generates detailed historical reports for any location in Britain, incorporating Roman heritage, Domesday Book records, scheduled monument data, archaeological finds and much more. Enter a nearby address to begin.

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on Roman heritage, Domesday records, scheduled monument data, archaeological finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Corbridge (Corstopitum) Roman station