Visit Carrawburgh Roman Fort and the Temple of Mithras on Hadrian’s Wall. Discover Roman military life and mysterious Mithraic worship in Northumberland.

A Fort on the Frontier

Carrawburgh Roman Fort, known to the Romans as Brocolitia, is one of the key sites along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Built in the 2nd century AD, the fort housed auxiliary troops who guarded the northern frontier of the Roman Empire.

Today, little remains of the fort above ground, but the site is rich in archaeology and offers a fascinating insight into frontier life.

The Temple of Mithras

One of Carrawburgh’s most intriguing features is the Temple of Mithras, a reconstructed shrine to the mysterious Roman god Mithras. The cult of Mithras, popular among soldiers, involved secret rituals held in underground temples called mithraea.

At Carrawburgh, the temple was built around AD 200 and later abandoned in the 4th century. Today, visitors can see stone altars and a restored layout that hint at the ceremonies once held here.

The Fort and Civilian Settlement

Carrawburgh Fort covered about 3.5 acres and was garrisoned by units of infantry and cavalry. Around the fort, a civilian settlement (vicus) developed, with shops, workshops, and families of soldiers. Excavations have revealed shrines, temples, and evidence of daily Roman life.

Exploring Carrawburgh Today

A visit to the site offers:

The Temple of Mithras – A reconstructed Roman mystery cult shrine.

Fort remains – Earthworks outlining the original Roman defences.

Archaeological interpretation – Panels explaining life at the frontier.

Open landscapes – Sweeping views across Hadrian’s Wall country.

The site is free to visit and makes a rewarding stop on the Hadrian’s Wall Path.

Learn more on the official Heritage website

Things to Do Nearby

Carrawburgh lies close to several other key Hadrian’s Wall sites:

Housesteads Roman Fort – One of the Wall’s best-preserved forts.

Chesters Roman Fort – With its impressive cavalry barracks and bathhouse.

Vindolanda – A Roman fort famous for its writing tablets.

See our guides on Roman historic sites in UK

Why Visit Carrawburgh Roman Fort and Temple of Mithras?

Carrawburgh combines military history with religious mystery. Standing in the fort’s earthworks and visiting the Mithraeum, visitors gain a vivid glimpse into the lives—and beliefs—of Roman soldiers at the edge of empire.