XXXI Charterhouse (Vebriacum)                                         

What3words –   raking.tones.sidelined 

Visited October 2024 

Construction date – 1st Century AD 

Capacity – Unknown 

Status – Quiet and unvisited

As the invading Romans moved west through Brittania, they happened upon a complex of prehistoric lead mines at the head of Velvet Bottom, a tributary of Cheddar Gorge. This passes through the ridge of the Mendips at the northern edge of the Somerset Levels. Finding the local lead to have a significant silver content they set up a complex to exploit the resource from about AD49. Linked to the Fosse Way just outside Shepton Mallet by some un-British straight roads, the settlement included the mining complex and a fortified camp. 

On the slopes of a hill 800m to the north of the present day village are the earth banks of a small amphitheatre. It lies at the centre of a field which is part of a working farm and is not publicly accessible. The hill is topped by a couple of mobile ‘phone masts and it is possible to drive to the top along a single track lane ‘Rains Batch’ which leads north west from Paywell Lane, the link between Charterhouse Village and the B3134.  From the hilltop there are views in all directions to Bristol, the Severn and the levels to the south. The earth banks are clearly visible from the roadway of Rains Batch. 

The amphitheatre measures 50m in length and has an internal open area of some 28m long by 23m wide. The surviving earth banks are about 4.5m high. It was the subject of archaeological digs in the early 20th Century but no records survive. It is assumed to have been an entertainment venue for the garrison which protected the valuable product of the mines. Considered the smallest Roman Amphitheatre in the British Isles. On early 20th Century ordnance survey maps it is marked ‘Amphitheatre’ later maps call it an ‘Earthwork’.