Possible Roman Road, Hockwold to the Icknield Way

Margary Number: 332

Distance: Approx. 7 miles

There was a large Roman settlement just to the east of Hockwold on the north bank of the Little Ouse River. Running east-west just its north is a straight road and the suspicion has always been that this could be a Roman Road. Margary thought so and made it his 332. He connected the road to Peddars Way but I can find nothing to support that.

Historic Counties: Norfolk

Current Counties: Norfolk

HER: Norfolk

Full Route - Lidar Image and Opendata Map

Hockwold settlement covered a large area and is sometimes described as a small town. Investigations have revealed an internal road system.

So we have a long stretch of straight road and a large Roman settlement. Seems to much of a coincidence for the road not to be Roman in origin.

The eastern extent of the road appears to continue beyond the traditional route for the Icknield Way as far as a possible second course for the Icknield Way. The second course has much more visible evidence.

Lidar Image - Hockwold Settlement and Sawbench Wood Roman Temple

Two temples are known at Hockwold, one within the settlement and a second right on the edge of the Fens at Sawbench Wood (NHER5367). Did the RR332 extend that far? Some indications but to me not overly convincing.

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Last update: July 2025

© David Ratledge