Lavatrae Roman Fort

Bowes, as a strategic gateway, was the site of a Roman fort, Lavatrae, of substantial size, approximately 4 acres in total. The fort was built during the Flavian period, and reoccupied from the 2nd century until the 4th century.

Lavatrae was apparently garrisoned by Cohors IV Breucorum in the 2nd century, Cohors I Thracum Equitata in the third, and Numerus Exploratum near the end of the fourth century.

The remains of Lavatrae have been partially excavated but other parts of the fort are thought to have formed the foundations of Bowes castle, and indeed that occupies the north-west corner of the fort.

There is also evidence of a signal station on Bowes Moor, a satellite to the Bowes fort, developed around the late 3rd century and continuing well into the 4th century. There were also a couple of Roman altars to gods of the forest where Roman soldiers, presumably officers, could pay their debts to the forest gods after the animal hunts.

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