Roman Britain: Historical Map and Guide

This map of Roman Britain is published by Ordnance Survey. It shows the Roman sites on a map where modern towns and roads are superimposed. In this way you can see where the ancent sites are in relation to modern towns and roads.

Some people may think the Roman remains in Britain are few and far between. But this is not true at all. As this map shows, there is a large number of Roman sites, and in many cases there is still a good deal to see today.

On one side of the map we have England and Wales (i.e. the south), on the other side we have Scotland (i.e. the north). The scale is 1:625,000. When the map is folded out, it measures 94 x 125 cm.

This publication is much more than a map. There are pictures of important locations and monuments. On one side (the south) there are pictures of the following:

* A Saxon shore fort = Pevensey
* The great Roman bath at Bath
* The amphitheatre in Caerleon, Wales
* The Civitas Silurum stone in Caerwent church

On the other side (the north) there are pictures of the following:

* A Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall = Housesteads
* The Antonine Wall in Scotand = Watling Lodge
* A detail of a polychrome mosaic from Woodchester Roman Villa
* A distance slab from the Antonine Wall = Bridgeness

There is also some text: an introduction followed by ten short chapters about ten different topics: military sites; theatres and amphitheatres; aqueducts; temples and villas; funeral monuments; roads; industry and mining; towns; Hadrian's Wall; and the Antonine Wall.

In addition, there is a chronological table which covers the period from 55 BC to AD 446. Finally, there is an index listing all the locations shown on the map.

What can you find on this map? Let me give you a few examples from both sides of the map. In the south (i.e. England and Wales) you can find Bignor Roman Villa (in Sussex) and Lullingstone Roman Villa (in Kent). You can find Fishbourne Roman Palace and the Saxon shore forts, the most impressive of these forts is Portchester Castle. You can also find the towns of London (Londinium) and York (Eburacum). But in the case of these two towns you will need to get another map to find the Roman sites.

** Reference 1: Bignor Roman Villa

** Reference 2: Fishbourne Roman Palace
** Reference 3: Portchester Castle

In the north (i.e. Scotland) you can find Hadrian's Wall with a number of forts along the wall. On the east coast you can find South Shields Roman Fort (Arbeia) and Wallsend (Segedunum). One of the most impressive forts is Housesteads (Vercovicium). One of the most interesting forts is Vindolanda, where archaeologists have discovered personal letters and messages from some of the Roman residents. You can also find the Antonine Wall with a number of forts in the vicinity.

** Reference 4: Housesteads Roman Fort
** Reference 5: Life and Letters on the Roman Frontier:Vindolanda and its People
** Reference 6: The Wall: Rome's Greatest Frontier
** Reference 7: The Antonine Wall

I like this map. It is a useful tool. In my opinion, the only problem with this map is that you have to fold it out to use it. When you fold it out, it is not very handy. You do not want to do this outside. Maybe the wind is blowing and perhaps it is raining! This map needs a large table. You will have to consult it in your room before going out.

Otherwise it is highly recommended.

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Roman Britain – Historical Map and Guide,

Ordnance Survey, 5th edition, 2001

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In 2011, Ordnance Survey published a new edition of the map (6th edition).

Here is the front cover:

 

 

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