Revealing the Hidden Roman Roads of Northern Britain

The Roman Road Network: A Marvel of Ancient Engineering

The Romans began constructing their road network in Britain immediately following the invasion of 43 CE under Emperor Claudius. Understanding that efficient movement of troops and supplies was essential to maintaining control over conquered territories, they set about creating straight, durable highways that could withstand the notoriously wet British climate.

By the time they withdrew in the early 5th century, the Romans had constructed over 2,000 miles of major roads across Britain. These weren't simple tracks but sophisticated engineering projects built to exacting standards.

A typical Roman road consisted of multiple layers:

• Rudus – A foundation layer of large stones
• Nucleus – A layer of concrete-like material made from sand and lime
• Summum dorsum – A cambered surface layer of gravel or paved stones
• Margines – Raised curbs and drainage ditches on either side

This construction method created roads that were remarkably durable – so durable, in fact, that sections remain visible in the landscape nearly 2,000 years later, particularly in the less developed regions of northern Britain.

The Northern Network: Military Highways of the Frontier

While southern Britain was rapidly integrated into the provincial Roman system, the north presented a more formidable challenge. Difficult terrain, hostile tribes, and harsher weather conditions meant that northern Britain required a specialized approach to road building. The roads here served primarily military purposes, connecting a series of forts and outposts that secured Rome's northernmost frontier.

Dere Street: The Great Northern Highway

Perhaps the most significant Roman road in northern Britain was Dere Street. Beginning at Eboracum (York), this major artery stretched northward through what is now Durham and Northumberland, crossing the Cheviot Hills into Scotland and ultimately reaching the Firth of Forth.

Constructed primarily by the legionaries of the Ninth Legion in the late 1st century CE, Dere Street served as the main supply route for Roman forces operating along the northern frontier. Its course was dictated by both strategic and practical considerations, connecting key military installations while navigating the challenging topography of northern England and southern Scotland.

Today, sections of Dere Street remain as visible features in the landscape, particularly in rural Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Parts of the A68 modern road follow the original Roman alignment, but the most interesting sections for historical walkers are those that deviate from modern routes, cutting across moorland and farmland in characteristically straight lines.

The Stanegate: Hadrian's Predecessor

Before Hadrian's Wall was constructed in the 120s CE, the Stanegate ("stone road" in Old English) served as the main east-west route across northern Britain, essentially marking Rome's frontier before the wall was built. Running from Corbridge in the east to Carlisle in the west, this important highway connected a series of forts that controlled the Tyne-Solway isthmus.

The Stanegate was not just a military route but also facilitated civilian settlement. Communities grew around its forts, with traders, craftspeople, and service providers catering to the military population. Archaeological evidence shows that these settlements, known as vici, were thriving centers of Romano-British culture.

Walking the Stanegate today offers a unique perspective on the pre-Hadrianic frontier. Less well-known than the wall itself, this ancient road provides insights into how the Romans initially organized their northern defenses.

The High Street: A Mountain Highway

Perhaps the most dramatic of northern Britain's Roman roads is the aptly named High Street in the Lake District. Reaching altitudes of over 2,000 feet as it crosses the fells between Ambleside (Galava) and Penrith (Voreda), this remarkable road demonstrates the Romans' determination to maintain direct routes regardless of topographical challenges.

The High Street was built to connect the Roman fort at Ambleside with the broader network, allowing for the movement of troops and supplies in this remote region. Its elevated route likely served practical purposes – avoiding the dense forests and boggy valleys below while providing clear visibility for security.

Today, the High Street forms one of Britain's most spectacular historical walks. Following the ridgeline of the eastern fells, it offers breathtaking panoramic views across the Lake District National Park. The road's raised profile remains clearly visible, a testament to Roman engineering that has withstood two millennia of mountain weather.

Rey Cross Roman Road: A Hidden Pennine Route

One of the least-known but most rewarding Roman roads for modern explorers cuts across the high Pennine moors between Brough (Verterae) in Cumbria and Bowes (Lavatrae) in County Durham. This remote route, associated with the Rey Cross Roman fort, traverses some of England's most unspoiled landscapes.

The road was constructed to connect the Eden Valley with the strategic corridor of Dere Street, allowing east-west movement across the Pennine range. Given the harsh environment and high elevation (reaching over 1,450 feet at its highest point), this road represents a significant achievement in Roman engineering.

What makes this route particularly appealing for historical explorers is how untouched it remains. With minimal modern development in the area, substantial stretches of the original Roman agger (the raised roadbed) can still be seen clearly, especially after light snowfall when the straight raised line becomes strikingly visible across the moorland.

Archaeological surveys have revealed numerous features along the route, including quarry pits where road-building materials were extracted, temporary camps used during construction, and milestones that once marked distances along this remote highway.

The Roman Roads of Northern Wales: Conquest Corridors

The mountainous terrain of northern Wales presented some of the greatest challenges to Roman road builders in Britain. Yet the strategic importance of controlling this region, with its resistant native tribes and valuable mineral resources, necessitated an extensive network of military roads.

The Snowdonia massif was circumnavigated by a series of roads connecting forts at strategic points. One of the most significant ran from Segontium (Caernarfon) to Deva (Chester), creating a vital link between the coastal fortifications and the major legionary base.

These Welsh mountain roads showcase remarkable engineering solutions to difficult terrain, including sophisticated drainage systems to manage the high rainfall, careful route selection to minimize gradient changes, and innovative construction techniques suitable for rocky substrates.

Walking these routes today offers a powerful reminder of Rome's determination to control even the most challenging landscapes. Particularly well-preserved sections can be found near Tomen-y-Mur, a remote fort complex in Snowdonia, where the road's course is marked by distinctive linear features across otherwise untamed moorland.

Reading the Landscape: How to Identify Roman Roads

Part of the joy in exploring Britain's hidden Roman roads lies in developing the ability to "read" the landscape and identify these ancient features. Several characteristic signs can help the observant walker spot Roman roads:

• Linear features – Roman roads are characteristically straight over long distances, often visible as raised banks (agger) across open country
• Parallel ditches – Many Roman roads featured drainage ditches on either side, which may still be visible as shallow depressions
• Alignment of field boundaries – Medieval and modern field systems often incorporated Roman roads as boundaries, preserving their line
• Place names – Terms like "street," "stane" (stone), or "gate" (from the Old Norse gata, meaning road) often indicate Roman origins
• Church alignments – Early medieval churches were sometimes built along Roman roads, creating a linear pattern of ancient churches

Modern technology has also transformed our ability to identify Roman roads. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) surveys, which can detect subtle topographical features even through forest cover, have revealed previously unknown sections of Roman road across northern Britain.

The Legacy of Roman Roads in Northern Britain

The impact of Roman roads extended far beyond the period of Roman occupation. These engineered highways transformed Britain in several lasting ways:

Settlement Patterns

Many modern towns and villages in northern Britain owe their location to Roman roads. Settlements naturally developed at key points along these routes, particularly at river crossings or road junctions. Places like Corbridge, Brougham, and Catterick all began as Roman roadside settlements and continue as communities today.

Medieval and Modern Routes

In a landscape where movement was often difficult, the well-engineered Roman roads remained important arteries long after the empire's withdrawal. Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and medieval travelers continued to use these highways, and many modern A-roads still follow Roman alignments. The A1, Britain's longest numbered road, incorporates significant stretches of Dere Street in the north.

Cultural Boundaries

Roman roads sometimes became cultural and political boundaries in later periods. Sections of Dere Street, for example, formed part of the medieval border between England and Scotland, while other Roman routes defined parish or county boundaries.

Archaeological Time Capsules

The less-developed landscape of northern Britain has preserved numerous sections of Roman road that would have been obliterated by urban development further south. These surviving stretches serve as valuable archaeological resources, providing insights into Roman engineering techniques and the organization of the provincial transportation system.

Exploring Northern Roman Roads Today

For modern walkers interested in experiencing these ancient highways, several particularly rewarding routes stand out:

The Wheeldale Roman Road (North York Moors)

One of the best-preserved sections of Roman road in Britain runs across Wheeldale Moor near Goathland in the North York Moors National Park. Here, the original paved surface remains visible for over a mile, providing a rare opportunity to walk directly on Roman paving stones. The purpose of this road remains somewhat mysterious – it may have connected the coast at Whitby with the Roman settlement at Malton.

The Devil's Causeway (Northumberland)

This lesser-known Roman road branches off from Dere Street near Corbridge and heads northeast to the coast at Tweedmouth. Substantial sections remain visible as you traverse the open Northumberland countryside, with particularly good preservation around the village of Longframlington.

The Roman Road from Ribchester to Lancaster

Cutting across the atmospheric landscapes of the Forest of Bowland, this route connected two important Roman sites. Several sections remain as distinct features in the landscape, particularly near Oakenclough where the agger is clearly visible crossing farmland.

Conservation Challenges

While northern Britain's Roman roads have survived remarkably well for nearly two millennia, they face ongoing threats from modern agriculture, development, and even recreational use. Deep plowing, forestry operations, and infrastructure projects can damage these archaeological features, while erosion from walkers and off-road vehicles affects exposed sections.

Conservation efforts focus on documenting and legally protecting the most significant stretches, with organizations like Historic England, Historic Scotland, and local archaeological societies working to record and preserve these ancient highways.

As walkers exploring these historic routes, we can contribute to their preservation by following established paths, avoiding driving or cycling on vulnerable sections, and reporting any damage or potential threats to local heritage authorities.