The Lost Roman Roads of Great Britain

I'm always worried that the waffle in my head won't make sense when I try and put it into a video. I felt a bit like that this time round. So forgive the way this might come across, and worst case, maybe watch it twice! ;-)

Welcome to this weeks video in which we attempt to find a Roman B-Road. You are more than likely aware of the Roman Road network, certainly if you have watched any of our previous videos, but this week we ask the question of what a Roman B-Road looked like.

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[chasbodaniels]

Paul, you’re doing the work of researcher, producer, script writer, historical consultant, continuity supervisor, audio guy, director of photography and camera operator PLUS on-air presenter ffs!
No need to add the burden of perfect flow, logic and evidence.
Always impressed how well you manage all this!

[dazzlingdaz]

You can never spend too much time looking at old maps!

[totoro]

Your documentaries are soo much better than what we currently get from the major broadcasters at the moment!

[THINKincessantly]

Howdy from Texas! Enjoyed that peaceful adventure through the countryside! Well presented and narrated ! Good luck!

[derekambler]

I remember many years ago taking a book out of Hitchin Library written by a group calling themselves 'The Viatores' who traced Roman tracks all over Hertfordshire; it was a fascinating record of tracks and how you recognised them.

[jandraelune]

Romans loved geometry in their engineering, lots of uniformity. Likely if you just map a circle with the found stones, and measure the avg distance between, you'll find about where the missing stone should be. I would look where the A303 and the railroad cross next to Sarson.

[syncrosimon]

Brilliant, thanks, as a child in the 70’s my parents whilst driving to Cornwall would turn NW off the A303 onto the lead road (just past the speed cameras) and drive along towards Stockton Down and Knook. It was a lovely place to picnic and just oozed ancient. I went back there in the 90’s, must go and have a look again. Love Snail Creep Hanging wood, I always tell anyone I am driving with on the A303 that the wood up on the ridge has that name.

[TheOriginal_BigMac]

Growing up in Andover I probably spent days poring over the same maps 😄

[aengusmacnaughton]

Beautiful weather for long walks in the countryside -- hopefully not as hot as it has been!!!! I find it amazing that so much history is under your feet just about anywhere that you step in Britain! And that circular community of Roman villas -- wow! That makes sense.

[jonpowell]

Paul, as you probably know the hedgerow dating is called Hooper's Hypothesis. Great video again.

[bigdaddysandcastle]

I too spend hours looking at maps. I am told that it was because I was a map maker in several other lifetimes in Europe.

[SimnTrains]

Wonder with all those villas it was like a posh little village? Great Video Paul.

[koenquestador]

Thank you from the Netherlands! i really love the channel and especially your enthousiasm and rebecca's. Keep it up!

[teej]

Living in Warminster I know those tracks up to Great Ridge very well. I knew the track through that woodland was Roman, but the route you took is one of my favourite walks. It’s a little out of the way nowadays, so I’m often the only person up at Great Ridge. I’ve hammock camped there a few times and often imagined the people who have used the road over the millennia. You can definitely feel the history up there.

[RichardFelstead]

Paul roman around the countryside. Great video. Greetings from Australia.

[cuddersop]

Excellent, and a welcome dive into “lesser” stuff while mainstream focuses on the big finds, sites etc.
I’ve long thought that the track south from Heytesbury & Tytherington is Roman or older, the point where it meets the Roman road west of Great Ridge seems to be a junction of many ancient ways. I wonder what might be found beneath the surface?

[steadynumber]

Fascinating piece of research Paul. It's when I reflect on the overlay of history in this beautiful island of ours that I realise I can never emigrate. I'm just too rooted to our land, our history & culture. Thank you.

[jeffjordan]

You were at your best on this one, Paul.

[graemer]

Your videos are much better than the rubbish I pay to watch on tv. Thanks for all your hard work.

[RichardAKJ]

It's a great video Paul and your enthusiasm really comes through. Very enjoyable watch.