Richborough Roman Fort

Founded by the Romans after their invasion in 43AD, Portus Ritupis or Rutupiae (now Richborough Roman Fort, Kent), is often stated as being the most important Roman site in Britain. Its site marks the beginning Watling Street, the main Roman road which linked Dover, via London crossing the Thames, to Wroxeter in the northwest. It is also famed for being the site of the great battle between the Romans and Boudica, where she exacted her revenge for the rape and death of her daughters.

Due to its position close to the river Stour, Richborough became a strategic port for the Romans and later, a Saxon Shore fort (covering five acres) in the 3rd century to repel those irritating Saxon invaders.

Being ruins its hard to imagine this military stronghold becoming a large civilian populated town with an amphitheatre, temples and a mansio – a guest house as we know them today.

Among the ruins there is a large cross laid in stone. This is the foundation for a spectacular triumphal arch constructed in Italian granite. Belief has it this marked entry into Roman Britain or Britannia as the period of Roman rule is known.

Looked after by English Heritage, there are toilets on site and a small but interesting artefacts room with a model display of the triumphal arch. A shame not more was left standing – it was pulled down to build the Saxon Shore fort.

For ruin lovers it's a must see simply for its part in Britain's history. Personally, I think I need a drone for a better viewpoint.