MORWENSTOW

Roman Fortlet

Morwenstow, Cornwall

Roads
NGRef: SS2015 OSMap: LR190 Type: Fortlet
None

There is evidence of a small Roman fortlet or lookout post situated on Higher Sharpnose Point just west of Morwenstow. This fortlet and a similar one located a few miles to the south at St. Gennys, are thought to belong to the early invasion period prior to the Roman conquest of Wales, and were evidently built to keep a close watch on coastal traffic in the Bristol Channel.

The sea cliffs in the area are the tallest in Cornwall, rising a sheer 450 feet (c.150 m) above the rocky shoreline. There are other, similar Roman stations further east along the coast at Old Burrow and Martinhoe, both in Devon.

See: Roman Britain and the Roman Navy by David J.F. Mason (Tempus, Stroud, 2003) fig.30 and accompanying text;
The New Shell Guide to England edited by John Hadfield (BCA, London, 1981), p.322.

Roman Fortlet

Morwenstow, Cornwall

See: Roman Britain and the Roman Navy by David J.F. Mason (Tempus, Stroud, 2003) fig.30 and accompanying text;The New Shell Guide to England edited by John Hadfield (BCA, London, 1981), p.322.

This page was last modified:  September 2005

See: Roman Britain and the Roman Navy by David J.F. Mason (Tempus, Stroud, 2003) fig.30 and accompanying text;
The New Shell Guide to England edited by John Hadfield (BCA, London, 1981), p.322.

This page was last modified: