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Binchester

Settlement in Durham

England

Binchester

Auckland Way Railway Path The Auckland Way uses the former railway alignment between Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor. The earliest part of the railway opened in 1841, linking Byers Green to the Clarence Railway's route to Teesside at Ferryhill. The Clarence Railway was en early competitor to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, active in the transportation of coal from Durham collieries to ports on the Tees. The North Eastern Railway extended the line in 1885, infilling the gap between Bishop Auckland and Byers Green. The last part to open was the first to lose its passenger service in 1939, the remaining services to Spennymoor were withdrawn in 1952.
Auckland Way Railway Path Credit: David Robinson

Binchester, also known as Vinovia, is an ancient Roman fort and settlement located in County Durham, England. Situated near the village of Bishop Auckland, Binchester is an important archaeological site that offers valuable insights into Roman life and occupation in the region.

The fort was built around AD 80 and served as a strategic military outpost on the Roman Empire's northern frontier, known as the Hadrian's Wall. Covering an area of approximately 4.5 acres, Binchester was constructed in a typical Roman rectangular shape and housed a garrison of around 800 soldiers. The fort's defensive walls, which are still visible today, were made of stone and surrounded by a deep ditch.

Excavations at Binchester have revealed various structures within the fort, including barracks, granaries, a headquarters building (principia), and a commandant's house. The remains of a substantial bathhouse complex, considered one of the most impressive in the Roman Empire, have also been discovered. This complex featured hot and cold rooms, a hypocaust heating system, and intricate mosaics.

In addition to the fort, Binchester had an associated civilian settlement or vicus. The vicus provided services and amenities to the soldiers and their families, such as shops, inns, and brothels. Evidence of this civilian settlement can be seen in the form of building foundations, pottery fragments, and personal artifacts.

Today, Binchester is managed by Durham County Council and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the excavated remains, walk along the fort's defensive walls, and learn about the site's history through informative displays. Binchester offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and discover the fascinating Roman presence in Durham.

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Binchester Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.68439/-1.6462765 or Grid Reference NZ2232. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Auckland Way Railway Path The Auckland Way uses the former railway alignment between Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor. The earliest part of the railway opened in 1841, linking Byers Green to the Clarence Railway's route to Teesside at Ferryhill. The Clarence Railway was en early competitor to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, active in the transportation of coal from Durham collieries to ports on the Tees. The North Eastern Railway extended the line in 1885, infilling the gap between Bishop Auckland and Byers Green. The last part to open was the first to lose its passenger service in 1939, the remaining services to Spennymoor were withdrawn in 1952.
Auckland Way Railway Path
The Auckland Way uses the former railway alignment between Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor. The earliest part of the railway opened in 1841, linking Byers Green to the Clarence Railway's route to Teesside at Ferryhill. The Clarence Railway was en early competitor to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, active in the transportation of coal from Durham collieries to ports on the Tees. The North Eastern Railway extended the line in 1885, infilling the gap between Bishop Auckland and Byers Green. The last part to open was the first to lose its passenger service in 1939, the remaining services to Spennymoor were withdrawn in 1952.
Footpath To Hagg Plantation
Footpath To Hagg Plantation
Farmland near Binchester
Farmland near Binchester
Gated field near Binchester Crag Farm
Gated field near Binchester Crag Farm
The Lane to Newfield
The Lane to Newfield
River Wear near Binchester Roman Fort
River Wear near Binchester Roman Fort
Westerton Folly Built as an observatory tower in the 18th century
Westerton Folly
Built as an observatory tower in the 18th century
Westerton Folly Built as an observatory tower in the 18th century
Westerton Folly
Built as an observatory tower in the 18th century
Auckland Path crossing bridge, and beyond The Auckland Path railway route heading north, just about to cross a bridge adjacent to Auckland Park where there's a golf course. The bridge is over a track which is apparently for farm use. It's just north of an embankment through which Coundon Burn is culverted.
Auckland Path crossing bridge, and beyond
The Auckland Path railway route heading north, just about to cross a bridge adjacent to Auckland Park where there's a golf course. The bridge is over a track which is apparently for farm use. It's just north of an embankment through which Coundon Burn is culverted.
Waterlogged field south of Binchester Terraced houses in the small village of Binchester seen from the route of a public footpath at the field edge.
Waterlogged field south of Binchester
Terraced houses in the small village of Binchester seen from the route of a public footpath at the field edge.
Pottery grave markers in Binchester Cemetery The cluster of white and brown gravestones / grave markers in the foreground are all made from pottery; all appear to belong to the first quarter of the 20th. century. All are relatively simple and were presumably of low cost. The brown monuments are in the form of a cut, tree trunk with a mounted white heart; the heart bears a simple inscription. No maker's name was found on any of the monuments but memory has it that at least some of this form of grave markers were made at collieries where perhaps the clay, raw material could have been excavated during the mining process.
Pottery grave markers in Binchester Cemetery
The cluster of white and brown gravestones / grave markers in the foreground are all made from pottery; all appear to belong to the first quarter of the 20th. century. All are relatively simple and were presumably of low cost. The brown monuments are in the form of a cut, tree trunk with a mounted white heart; the heart bears a simple inscription. No maker's name was found on any of the monuments but memory has it that at least some of this form of grave markers were made at collieries where perhaps the clay, raw material could have been excavated during the mining process.
Building on north side of Gladstone Terrace The building is in the small village of Binchester, close to the village cemetery which is among the trees beyond it. All windows appear to have been secured by sealing with breeze blocks or metal sheeting: it might be disused.
Building on north side of Gladstone Terrace
The building is in the small village of Binchester, close to the village cemetery which is among the trees beyond it. All windows appear to have been secured by sealing with breeze blocks or metal sheeting: it might be disused.
Well Head A pyramid shape folly in High Park, part of Auckland Castle Park
Well Head
A pyramid shape folly in High Park, part of Auckland Castle Park
Bridge over Auckland Walk This listed bridge carries the public footpath out of Auckland Castle Park. Auckland Walk is along the former railway route from Bishop Auckland to Spennymoor.
Bridge over Auckland Walk
This listed bridge carries the public footpath out of Auckland Castle Park. Auckland Walk is along the former railway route from Bishop Auckland to Spennymoor.
Lodge Farm near Binchester County Durham
Lodge Farm near Binchester County Durham
Footbridge over unnamed watercourse near Lodge Farm
Footbridge over unnamed watercourse near Lodge Farm
Shrine next to Bell Burn in Bellburn Wood Well maintained by family members and has been admired and respected by users of the passing footpath
Shrine next to Bell Burn in Bellburn Wood
Well maintained by family members and has been admired and respected by users of the passing footpath
Dairy Lane in Westerton County Durham
Dairy Lane in Westerton County Durham
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Binchester is located at Grid Ref: NZ2232 (Lat: 54.68439, Lng: -1.6462765)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///napkins.cheaply.inhabited. Near Coundon, Co. Durham

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.68439,-1.6462765
Bus Stop
Church
Naptan AtcoCode: 13004607D
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Church
Naptan Indicator: south east bound
Naptan Landmark: opposite 14 Gladstone Ter
Naptan NaptanCode: durdawdj
Naptan Street: Gladstone Terrace
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.6823972/-1.6426387
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Church
Naptan AtcoCode: 13004607H
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Church
Naptan Indicator: north west bound
Naptan Landmark: Outside Wesleyan Methodist Church
Naptan NaptanCode: durdawdm
Naptan Street: Gladstone Terrace
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.6829103/-1.6434955
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Common
Naptan AtcoCode: 13004608D
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Common
Naptan Indicator: south east bound
Naptan Landmark: S of Junc of Long Lane & Church St
Naptan NaptanCode: durdawdp
Naptan Street: Long Lane
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.684173/-1.6456024
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Common
Naptan AtcoCode: 13004608H
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Common
Naptan Indicator: north west bound
Naptan Landmark: S of Junc of Long Lane & Church St
Naptan NaptanCode: durdawdt
Naptan Street: Long Lane
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.6841013/-1.6456805
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Railway Cottages
Naptan AtcoCode: 13006600A
Naptan Bearing: N
Naptan CommonName: Railway Cottages
Naptan Indicator: north bound
Naptan Landmark: Landmark not known
Naptan NaptanCode: durdpdpj
Naptan Notes: Opposite Station Cottages- on the southern end of Church Street- near Byers Green- SE of Will
Naptan Street: Unclassified Road Binchester to Byers Green
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.6885489/-1.6484341
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Railway Cottages
Naptan AtcoCode: 13006600D
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Railway Cottages
Naptan Indicator: south east bound
Naptan Landmark: Landmark not known
Naptan NaptanCode: durdpdpm
Naptan Notes: Boundary of 3 & 4 Station Cottages- on the southern end of Church Street- near Byers Green- S
Naptan Street: Unclassified Road Binchester to Byers Green
Naptan Verified: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 54.6885734/-1.6483443
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Binchester
Place: hamlet
Wikidata: Q4913957
Wikipedia: en:Binchester
Lat/Long: 54.6824969/-1.6435979
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: bollard
Lat/Long: 54.6817198/-1.6424715
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Binbrook Lincolnshire
Bincombe Somerset

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