[2] It guarded an important approach to the Wall and also watched the east bank of the Cambeck against raiders from the Bewcastle area.

The name "Camboglanna" is believed to mean "Crook Bank", or "Bent Valley" because it overlooks a bend in the river Irthing; the name is Brythonic, made of cambo- "curved, bent, crooked" and glanna "steep bank, stream/river side, valley with a stream".

At one time Camboglanna was the accepted name for Birdoswald, but this is now believed to be an error in the Notitia Dignitatum.

[4] A geophysical survey in 2007 showed the parts of the vicus around the south of the fort, with an east-west road.

Previously, in 1741, an external bath-house was located and partly dug by Susanna Appleby, a local antiquarian.