Milefortlet 20 (Low Mire) was a Milefortlet of the Roman Cumbrian Coast defences. These milefortlets and intervening stone watchtowers extended from the western end of Hadrian's Wall, along the Cumbrian coast and were linked by a wooden palisade. They were contemporary with defensive structures on Hadrian's Wall. There is little to see on the ground, but Milefortlet 20 has been located and excavated.
Milefortlet 20 is situated on the coast in the civil parish of Oughterside and Allerby.
It is located on a low ridge on a gentle slope facing southeast.
The site was excavated in 1969 and 1980. The 1969 excavations revealed the turf rampart, and an entrance at the rear rampart. There were traces of floor timbers and many nails indicating internal buildings of wood. The 1980 excavations revealed the fortlet's front and rear gates and an oven. The fortlet underwent three phases of occupation during the second century; at the end of which it was abandoned. There is evidence that it was in use during the fourth century possibly as a watch post.
Each milefortlet had two associated towers, similar in construction to the turrets built along Hadrian's Wall. These towers were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the Milefortlet, and would probably have been manned by part of the nearest Milefortlet's garrison. The towers associated with Milefortlet 20 are known as Tower 20A (grid reference NY073407) and Tower 20B (grid reference NY07024038). The location of Tower 20A is uncertain. Tower 20B was located and partially excavated in 1962. The foundations were 6.3 metres by 6.6 metres. A single sherd of a cooking pot was the only occupation evidence found.
Historic England. "Low Mire (milefortlet 20) (1014911)". National Heritage List for England.
Historic England. "Swarthy Hill North tower 20b (1014810)". National Heritage List for England.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
Milefortlet 20 (Low Mire) was a Milefortlet of the Roman Cumbrian Coast defences. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fortlet site from the Roman period in Britain.
Low Mire (milefortlet 20) 50m north of Heather Bank, part of the Roman frontier defences along the Cumbrian coast is classified as a Roman fortlet — a military 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.
Several Roman sites lie within a short distance, including Swarthy Hill North tower 20b, 460m south west of Blue Dial, part of the Roman frontier defences along the Cumbrian coast (1 km), Swarthy Hill (1.4 km), Brownrigg North tower 21b, 830m north west of Canonby Hall, part of the Roman frontier defences along the Cumbrian coast (2.5 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
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.
This page covers the Roman site at Low Mire (milefortlet 20) 50m north of Heather Bank, part of the Roman frontier defences along the Cumbrian coast. A full Aubrey report for the area pulls together this site alongside scheduled monuments and everything else the record holds within a few miles:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain, drawing on Roman heritage, Domesday records, scheduled monument data and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Low Mire (milefortlet 20) 50m north of Heather Bank, part of the Roman frontier defences along the Cumbrian coast