Richborough Roman Fort & Amphitheatre, Sandwich (Kent)
Witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule in Britain, Richborough is a fascinating day out.
Summary
- 13th century buildings (or older)
- Information provided
- Free car parking (on site)
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Food and Drinks
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Introduction
Witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule in Britain, Richbourough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre is an inspirational and fascinating day out. With plenty of space for adults to relax and children to play this is the perfect place for a family picnic.
History to the present day
Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here. The site is now two miles from the sea; in AD 43 it overlooked a sheltered lagoon harbour. Here, all but certainly, the invading Roman forces first landed and established a bridgehead. This event was later commemorated by a mighty triumphal arch, whose cross-shaped foundations still survive here. Proclaiming that the Roman conquest of Britain was complete, this also provided an impressive gateway for arrivals at what became the province’s main entry port.
By the mid-3rd century, however, Roman Britain was under attack by sea-borne Saxon and other raiders. The once-prosperous commercial port of Rutupiae was hastily fortified, first by the digging of the great triple ditches and ramparts still visible round the site of the arch. But within a decade or so the defences were completely revamped, and Richborough was provided with its circuit of towered stone walls and outer ditches, becoming one of the most important of the ‘Saxon Shore’ forts. It was also among the last to be regularly occupied: there is evidence of a large Roman population here in the early 5th century, some of them worshipping in the little Early Christian church discovered in one corner of the fort.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Richborough Roman Fort & Amphitheatre, Kent, , United Kingdom
Address: Kent - CT13 9JW
Road Access:At the A256/A257 roundabout, take the road for Sandwich and then turn left at the fire station
Train Access:Sandwich 2 miles
Opening Times:
April to March
1 Apr-30 Sept 10am - 6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
Amphitheatre: Any reasonable time, access across grazed land from footpath.
Price:
Adult: £4.30
Children: £2.20
Concession: £3.70
Family: £10.80
