Castra Exploratorum (Latin for "Fortress of the Scouts") was a Romanfort and associated substantial civil settlement now in the grounds of Netherby Hall,Cumbria. It was first built byAgricola during his conquest of the north in around 80 AD.[1]
The first known garrison was Cohors I Nervanorum[2] in about the year 125 when the forts ofHadrian's Wall were built further south. At this time it became an "outpost fort" to the north of the frontier, about half a day's march from the wall.
As shown by inscriptions, the fort became the headquarters of the frontier scouts in the reorganisation of Britain into two provinces bySeptimius Severus orCaracallac. 200. It was then garrisoned by the largerCohors I Aelia Hispanorumc. 211. This cohort—nominally comprising 1000 men and about 300 horses—required a larger fort.[3]
The fort baths were built around 222 AD[4] when a temple was also rebuilt[5] and occupation continued well into the 4th century, as withCaracalla's other four outpost forts.
55°02′12″N2°56′45″W / 55.0367°N 2.9459°W /55.0367; -2.9459