Navio Roman Fort
OS Grid ref:- SK1782
Navio Roman Fort is situated on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Noe to the west of the small hamlet of Brough in the Hope Valley.
The name translates as 'on the river'.The name Noe, is Celtic, and means 'flow'.
The first timber fort to occupy the site was constructed in 73 A.D. by the Roman Governor Agricola, some thirty years after the Roman conquest of England, and was one of a line of forts in the area.
Navio stood at the junction of three Roman roads. The first fort was later abandoned, but was rebuilt from stone by the First Cohort of Aquitainians in 158 A.D. the new fort had a six foot high stone wall which was probably backed by an earthen rampart. Re-building was possibly in response to a revolt by the Brigantes, a Celtic tribe who then occupied the area.
The fort is rectangular in shape and covers an area of 2¼ acres. It consists of an earthwork and buried remains as well as part of its associated vicus or civilian settlement. As late as 1761 it is reported that an inner building and a double row of gritstone pillars were still standing, sadly the stones were later demolished and large numbers were taken away.
Inscribed stones found at the fort are now on display at Buxton Museum. In 1903, two altar stones were excavated at the fort, after numerous small finds of coins, lead ore, grinding querns and shards of pottery.
A walk to Navio Roman Fort from Hope
Distance- Around 4 miles
Duration- around 2 hours
*Starting at the main pay and display car park in the village of Hope, exit the car park and turn right, continue along the road through the village to just before the village church, at which point turn right again.
*Cross the river via the bridge then turn left up a lane. Continue along this lane until arriving at track on the left clearly signposted 'Navio Roman Fort'. Continue along this track through the fields to arrive at Navio fort.
*After taking in the fort proceed to the road (B6049), then turn left and cross the River Noe.
*Soon after passing a watermill, go left across the fields to the A6187 road and follow the road to return to the car park at Hope.