Roman Road from to Sandy to Thrapston

Margary Number: 226x (issued by RRRA)

Distance: 24 miles

This road starts in Bedfordshire and ends in Northamptonshire but half of its length is in Cambridgeshire.

I was looking for RR173d proposed by the Viatores but found nothing convincing. However I did spot this road all the way from Sandy to Thrapston.

There appears to have been a possible settlement at Staughton at approximatley the half-way point.

Historic Counties: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire

Current Counties: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire

HER: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire

Lidar Image - Route from Sandy to Thrapston via Cambridgeshire

Not exactly direct but does make sensible use of high ground.

Route Map - Sandy to Thrapston

OS Opendata map equivalent to the above plus county boundaries.

Lidar Image - Roman Roads around Sandy

We now know Sandy (Bedfordshire) was an important Roman road junction with at least 5 roads meeting there. I didn't trace the one heading west any further as the evidence seemed to disappear after 5km.

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - Sandy to the Great Ouse

Two options as far as the River Great Ouse. Most likely is the route following the current road. The Ordnance Survey First Edition mapping shows this as a series of straight alignments. The alternative is a direct route to the right (east) of the small hillock. Some evidence for this but is it enough?

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - Great Ouse onward

Evidence is definite in the Lidar imagery.

Roman Field Cottage

What a big clue a Roman road runs through this field!

Staughton - Lidar & Aerial Archaeology Mapping

Something odd happened at Staughton. It would appear there was most likely a small sttlement there and the road had to pick its way through it. Hence no straight alignments..

Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer from Historic England perhaps provides the explanation. Interestingly non of the adjacent plots show the Roman road.

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - Kimbolton

Normality returns and another clear section running towards and passing through Kimbolton

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - approaching Thrapston

Final alignment into Thrapston where modern developments mask the final section.

Lidar Image and Route Map 1

Lidar Image and Route Map 2

Lidar Image and Route Map 3

Lidar Image and Route Map 4

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Last update: Jan 2024

© David Ratledge