EDGE OF EMPIRE: A GUIDE TO THE ROMAN REMAINS IN THE NORTHUMBERLAND LANDSCAPE, by Ian Hall. Published by Wanney Books (Tel:01665-604717) (www.wildsofwanney.co.uk). £4.50. Softback.

TODAY Northumberland has perhaps the densest concentration of Roman ruins in Britain. Some are among the most visited historical sites in the country, but alongside these are many more sites off the tourist trail that are less well known and less visited but free to access.

In what the author describes as a ‘very simple guide’ to Roman Northumberland, he looks at Roman milestones, camps including the ramparts of a temporary marching camp at Swine Hill, surviving evidence on the Roman main roads of Dere Street, The Stanegate, the Military Way, and The Devil’s Causeway.

Apart from the forts and milecastles built by the Roman soldiers, and Hadrian’s Wall, photographs include a Roman tomb near Rochester, the remains of a temple in the middle of a housing estate in west Newcastle, Denton turret, Brunton turret and the remains of once-impressive bridges at Chollerford and Corbridge.