Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 4 – Westgate Road

Roman Mile Castle in Newcastle upon Tyne

Milecastle 4 (Westgate Road) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian’s Wall. Its remains exist beneath the Newcastle Arts Centre at 67-75 Westgate Road. This position is some way away from its predicted position which is at these coordinates: 54.970440°N 1.608669°W The actual location is between the predicted positions of Turrets 4A and 4B, which has led to suggestions that the numbering and positioning of milecastles and turrets on this part of Hadrian’s Wall should be reconsidered.

Milecastle 4 was a long-axis milecastle of unknown gateway type. Such milecastles were thought to have been constructed by either the legio VI Victrix who were based in Eboracum (York), or the Legio XX Valeria Victrix who were based in Deva Victrix (Chester).

The milecastle was 14.9 metres (49 ft) wide and probably 18 metres (20 yd) long. The excavated south wall was 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) wide and bonded with clay. Its foundations were 2.9 metres (9.5 ft) wide (as were those of the east wall and formed of flags (flag foundations are normally associated with broad wall milecastles.) There was evidence to suggest that the southern gateway had been blocked at some time.


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Visiting Hadrian’s Wall – Milecastle 4 – Westgate Road

Address: 73 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SG, UK
Duration: 20 minutes

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