After a morning in Corbridge, enjoying Grant’s Bakery & Patisserie, Vintage by the Tower, and Forum Books (read Part One for all of the information), in the afternoon it’s time to explore the amazing history the town has to offer.

First things first: the Romans. The Romans left a huge footprint throughout this part of world, and Corbridge offers just one of the beautiful historic sites available to visit. You can walk from the centre of town down to the Roman ruins which can be found at the edge of Corbridge, it’s a distance of about a mile. Alternatively there is also a car park at the site, and I believe the local bus also runs past the entrance at various times.

During the Roman occupation of Britain, Corbridge was possibly known as Coria, although there is plenty of debate as to what the place-name actually was with Corstopitum and Corie Lopocarium also suggested by contemporary records (I’m going to stick with Coria). Coria was the most northerly settlement in the Roman Empire, established in the late 1st Century AD, probably in the decade after the beginning of construction on Hadrian’s Wall, beginning as a fort to house soldiers marching on the crossroad between the Stanegate Road (East-West) and the Dere Street (North-South). It was only after the Roman’s permanently fell back to Hadrian’s Wall in 163 AD that the fort was abandoned by the army (in favour of the larger Vindolanda), and Coria became a predominately civilian settlement, thought to be part of the supply network for Emperor Septimius Severus’ northern campaigns.

Today, the Roman fort and town has been partially excavated, about 25% is exposed – the rest is buried under the present town and therefore inaccessible. There is evidence of large granaries, an elaborate house for an official, and buildings that were probably temples. The ruins are in the care of English Heritage and can be visited year round. The attached museum contains some of the most important Roman collections in Britain including the “Corbridge Lion” which is thought to be the work of a master sculptor due to the intricate detail in the sculpture.

Following the Romans leaving Britain in the 5th Century AD, other notable historic buildings in Corbridge are the parish church of Saint Andrew, thought to be have been consecrated in 676 AD, possibly by Saint Wilfred.

There is also a fortified vicarage, one of only three in the country. The Vicar’s Pele (pronounced peel) is in the SE corner of the churchyard and has walls that are 4ft thick. The Pele Tower is a Grade 1 Listed building with National Monument Status, but is now a unique microbar selling quality craft ales and other drinks.

For a small town, there is a lot for a history buff to take in and see. Of course, just walking around provides plenty to see – buildings throughout the town date from the late Tudor period to the Edwardian period, and as such the varied architecture has lots of visual interest, and elements to admire.

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