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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

 

location

mini map


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.

 

Click for larger view
route

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.

 

Click for larger view
temple

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Last update: July 2025

© David Ratledge