Milecastle 50

Milecastle 50 (High House), one of the milecastles on Hadrian's Wall, is situated to the west of Birdoswald fort (OS grid reference NY 606 660).

Although not now visible, excavation showed that it measures 18.3m east to west by 23.2m north to south. It is built with narrow gauge defensive walls, which are bonded into the Narrow Wall curtain of Hadrian's Wall on either side. It has Type III gateways. It lies 1391m west of Milecastle 49 and 1501m east of Milecastle 51.

The stone milecastle replaced its predecessor, Milecastle 50TW (High House) on the Turf Wall, some 200m to the south (OS grid reference NY 607 658). This had turf defensive walls, a timber north tower, and a fragment of a timber construction inscription was recovered.

Milecastle 50 was excavated in 1911 and Milecastle 50TW by F.G. Simpson and I.A. Richmond in 1934.