Milecastle 1


Milecastle 1 was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. It was located near the valley of Stott's Pow. Its remains are covered over, and are located beneath the recreation ground at Miller's Dene.
Early excavations and investigations of Turret 0B were mistakenly interpreted as Milecastle 1. The Milecastle sits within the parish of Wallsend.

Construction

Milecastle 1 was a short-axis milecastle of unknown gateway type. Short-axis milecastles were thought to have been constructed by the legio II Augusta who were based in Isca Augusta.
Milecastle 1 Easting and Northing:
Easting: 360162
Northing: 563796
Milecastle 1 English Heritage number: 1003507.

Excavations and investigations

Each milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two associated turret structures. These turrets were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the Milecastle, and would probably have been manned by part of the milecastle's garrison. The turrets associated with Milecastle 1 are known as Turret 1A and Turret 1B.

Turret 1A

Turret 1A was probably located very near to what is now the junction of the A187 Fossway, and Coutts Road. This is based on measurement, and no evidence of the turret has been identified. An alternative location would be a third of a Roman mile between the site of Horsely's Milcastle 1 and Milecastle 2.


Location on Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map:
Alternative location on Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map:

Turret 1B

Turret 1B was probably located just west of the junction of the A187 Fossway, and Roman Avenue. This location was suggested by FG Simpson, and is based on measurements from Milecastle 2. No evidence of the turret has been identified.

Location on Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map:

Monument records