Akeman Street Roman Road

Margary Number: 16a

Distance: 16 miles (to County Boundary)

An important route linking what became the second and third biggest Roman cities in the country ie Cirencester and St Albans. Despite its importance the section from the Bulbourne Valley (Berkhamstead) to Verulamium is somewhat uncertain with two options.

Approaching Tring was the important Roman iron production site at Cow Roast.

Historic Counties: Hertfordshire

Current Counties:Hertfordshire

HER: Hertfordshire

Lidar Image - Full Route from

From Berkhamstead very much a valley route but getting to Berkhamstead is the problem. In general Akeman Street is very direct with long straight alignments and you would therefore expect the same for Verulamium to Berkhamstead. It is for this reason I consider the northern route the more likely.

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - leaving Verulamium

The Silchester road and the Viatores route are very close. Would you build two roads so close together when one would serve both?

OS First Edition Map - Hemel Hempstead

The northern route follows old tracks and field boundaries now swallowed up in Berkhamstead so difficult to prove. The Viatores route does have some features supporting it. That is why I have shown it and kept the option open.

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - Bourne End

The road would have changed valley sides near Bourne End. There a couple of diagonal features that could indicate crossing options but there has been so much disturbance there it is difficult to form an opinion.

Lidar Image and Route Map 1

Both routes have visible features supporting them.

Lidar Image and Route Map 2

Berkhamstead options.

Lidar Image and Route Map 3

No doubts as to the route now with long straight alignments.

Lidar Image and Route Map 4

Cow Roast was an important Roman industrial site where iron ore was mined and processed.

The county boundary is at the Tring roundabout where we leave Akeman Street.

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Last update: March 2025

© David Ratledge