Piercebridge
This attractive Darlington village, located some six miles west of Darlington, with its splendid village green and well-known local pubs, is probably best known for its acclaimed Roman heritage, with Roman origins dating back to about AD70. The Piercebridge Roman Fort Site is a scheduled ancient monument and forms part of the region’s Dere Street Roman Trail, which celebrates the rich Roman heritage still to be enjoyed today. At Piercebridge the Late Fort, thought to have been about ten and a half acres (considered large amongst its type), was excavated in 1973-74 and then preserved. Interpretive panels at the open-air, free-access site, help visitors enjoy outstanding features such as the defensive ditches, latrine and courtyard buildings, hypocausts, vicus buildings and a corn-drying oven. Finds from the excavation, including a jar in the form of a life-size female head (dating from the 2nd or 3rd century), are on permanent loan from Darlington Borough Council to the nearby excellent Bowes Museum, a visit to which complements the Fort Site superbly. Also forming part of the walkers’ paradise – the Cleveland Way – Piercebridge provides an excellent base from which the outdoor enthusiast and countryside lover can explore Darlington and its surrounding attractions.
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