Bitterne

The Roman town of Clausentum is thought to be under the location of the current Bitterne Manor House, positioned on a peninsular in the river Itchen.
Bitterne Manor (Clausentum) and Park viewed from across the River Itchen.
  • Bitterne is a suburb of the city of Southampton located on the river Itchen in Hampshire.
  • Bitterne Manor House is thought to have been the location of the Roman town of Clausentum found on Iter VII of the Antonine Itinerary. There are no visible Roman remains today.

Bitterne Manor House (Clausentum)

  • The Roman town of Clausentum is thought to be under the location of the current Bitterne Manor House. Its position on a peninsular in the river Itchen giving it a strong defensive position, with associated walls and a defensive ditch.
  • The first Manor House was built either shortly after or perhaps before 1066, using the stones from Roman Clausentum. It was a farm cultivating the adjacent parkland which today is Bitterne Manor Park.
  • The Manor was visited by the Bishops of Winchester, as they navigated to or from Winchester along the Itchen, and who also used it as a warehouse for Goods.
  • In 1804-5 CE the old Manor House was demolished and the Roman defensive ditch was filled in so as to build the current Manor House. It is now Grade II listed and after WWII was converted into 14 private apartments.
  • The adjacent land was sold off and developed into apartment buildings.
  • Bitterne Manor (Clausentum) is listed on the Southampton City Council website as an informal riverside park with a few picnic benches and with a car park located at the end of Vespasian road.

Roman Roads

 

Bitterne Manor Park (Clausentum)

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