Tripontium

Tripontium was a Roman town in the West Midlands, named for the three bridges crossing the River Avon and its tributaries. It stood beside Watling Street, the great Roman road that later became the A5. The site now lies mostly in Warwickshire, just north-east of Rugby and south of Lutterworth. Founded soon after the Roman invasion in AD 47, it began as a frontier post. By the 2nd century it had grown into a busy civilian settlement, thriving for about 400 years before being abandoned in the late 4th century. The town’s importance is shown by its large public baths, an administrative building and a mansio, the inn where officials and travellers stayed. Excavations led by the Rugby Archaeological Society uncovered coins, pottery and other remains. Historians believe Tripontium was a key stopping place on Watling Street, mentioned in the Antonine Itineraries of the 3rd century. Its size and facilities suggest it served both military and civilian traffic. The site is now a scheduled monument, though gravel extraction has damaged part of it. Visitors cannot walk the streets of Tripontium today, but many finds are displayed in Rugby Art Gallery and Museum and Lutterworth Museum. The Rugby Archaeological Society carried out digs from 1961 to 2006, revealing the town’s layout and purpose. Unlicensed metal detecting and natural decay have put the site on the Heritage at Risk Register. The remains still hold the promise of further discoveries, including possible temple or forum ruins.