WHY I LOVE ...
VOLUNTEERING at Hardknott Roman Fort
Former employee and now a volunteer for free-to-enter sites in Cumbria, Mick Callaghan reaches new heights.
A
fter retiring from his role as property manager for the Cumbrian cluster of pay-toenter sites, Mick Callaghan decided to return to help our charity as a monitor volunteer. He now helps care for numerous free-to-enter sites nestled within the breathtaking Lake District.
vegetation at Bow Bridge, one of Mick’s most challenging sites to monitor is Hardknott Roman Fort. It is one of the most remote Roman forts in Britain. Established in the reign of Hadrian, it is a well-marked site which once sheltered the Fourth Cohort of Dalmatians, from the Balkans.
A remote site In addition to hunting down overgrown
Breathtaking views Sitting at an elevation of around
245 metres, the fort can only be reached by traversing the infamous Hardknott Pass. The pass is a single-track road which snakes through the landscape and is elevated to such an extent that on a clear day it is even possible to see the Isle of Man. Due to the track’s steep incline and windswept location, it is advised that visitors only attempt the journey with a suitable vehicle and in good weather. ■
GET IN TOUCH We’d love to share your story. Get in touch at volunteerfocus@english-heritage.org.uk
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