Steam up to a Roman fort this autumn

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, the country’s longest and most spectacular steam railway, is running Steam and Romans experiences this Autumn, to enable Western Lake District visitors to reach isolated Hardknott Fort, one of the most inaccessible and spectacular Roman sites in Britain.

This outing is a must for those who relish dipping into history and allows passengers to step into the shoes of a Roman infantryman guarding the Empire from the advances of marauding Scots and Brigantes, between 120 and 138 AD.

It is a first class, pre-booked trip, combining a seven-mile, narrow gauge steam train journey through one of Cumbria’s most beautiful valleys, with luxury mini-coach transport, to reach the fort known by the Romans as Mediobogdum.

Hardknott Fort boasts the most dramatic remains of the Roman occupation of Lakeland and perches on dark crags, at the peak of a sinuous Pass. Motorists typically deterred by the route, can use the Steam and Romans experience to soak up history and access some fabulous views across the Cumbrian fells and out to sea.

An interesting and informative tour of the site is part of the package. Passengers can see a great deal of the walls and foundations of the fort’s inner buildings and take in the headquarters building, the commandant’s house, the granary and the outlying bathhouse, as well as two inscribed stones.

The fort’s bath house boasts a beehive shaped sauna bath and was located outside the walls, on the three acre site that housed 500 infantrymen of the fourth Cohort of Dalmatians. What is regarded as the best preserved Roman parade ground in the Western Empire can also be viewed here.

A hearty meal of home-made soup and sandwiches is part of the Steam and Romans experience, which will be running on September 19 and 26 and October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. Tickets cost £19.90 for an adult and £14.90 for a child.

More details about the steam railway are available at Ravenglass-railway.co.uk.