The Roman Road from Cambridge to Arrington Bridge, Wimpole

Margary Number: 23a

Distance: 10 miles

Shares the name Akeman Street with the road to Ely. It is now understood that Arrington Bridge was a Roman roadside settlement on Ermine Street but the road was probably there first and the settlement would have grown around what would become an important road hub with 5 routes joining.

Historic Counties: Cambridgeshire

Current Counties:Cambridgeshire

HER: Cambridgeshire

Lidar Image - Full Route

Very sensible and direct route to connect Cambridge to Ermine Street for southern destinations or westwards to Sandy or Stotford.

Oblique 3D Lidar Image

The alignment couldn't really be much simpler with just a little dog-leg to negotiate the ridge of higher ground

Lidar Image and Route Map 1

Leaving Cambridge the Roman line is much more direct than the modern A603, which takes a huge detour.

Lidar Image and Route Map 2

The Roman line and the A603 merge at Lord's Bridge Farm and from there on there is little Roman evidence to see.

Descent from Orwell Hill, Hillside

Very typically Roman - wide and straight.

Lidar Image and Route Map 3

The A603 now leaves the original Roman alignment just before it reaches Ermine Street. The old road is now a cul-de-sac.

Cambridge (Old) Road, Wimpole

Now nice and quiet with the A603 diverted off line.

Arrington Bridge

Arrington Bridge was an important road junction with roads from Cambridge, Sandy and Stotford all met Ermine Street and shared a common bridge over the River Cam.

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Last update: Jan 2024

© David Ratledge