The Roman Road from Saham Toney to Stanford

Margary Number: 339x - RRRA unofficial

Distance: 4.25 miles

Almost certainly a Roman road connecting Saham Toney to Stanford on the Icknield Way. The latter is omitted from the Ordnance Survey's Roman Britain map but the presence of up to 9 villas along it in Norfolk rather suggests it was at least used by the Romans.

This link features several straight alignments with the northernmost ones clearly aligned on the Saham Toney/Threxton Roman settlement.This alignment is strong evidence as to its likely Roman authenticity. Much of the route is unfortunately inaccessible due to the presence of Army Ranges. The connection to Icknield Way is also suggestive of it being Roman in that it does not utilise what would have been a ford on the Icknield Way but instead takes a direct line south over what surely was a Roman bridge at Stanford.

For a detailed route maps see the bottom of this page.

Historic Counties: Norfolk

Current Counties: Norfolk

HER: Norfolk

Lidar Image - Full Route

Very simple and short connection to the Icknield Way. Icknield Way north of here served possibly 9 Roman villas so must be considered at at least adopted by the Romans if not of their construction.

It is likely Antonine Itinerary V followed this road.

Oblique Lidar Image - Full Route

There are indications that the earliest Roman site was south (left) of the River at Threxton. Saham Toney is north of the river. It makes sense that the road to Stanford branches off Peddars Way south of the river.

Saham Toney Road - north end

Looking back towards Saham Toney in this view. As well as being straight the other clue is the modern road is narrow with regards to the land take. This is a relatively common feature giving away the road's former importance.

Saham Toney Road - Near Hall Farm

Again looking back but this time from just north of Tottington Road junction. Again straight and wider than the modern road.

South of here then the road becomes blocked by the Army Ranges.

Oblique Lidar Image - Approaching Stanford

Very logical arrangement for traffic heading south to the Roman site at Icklington.

Oblique Lidar Image - Icknield Way Junction looking north

Opposite direction to the view above showing the junction in more detail. There appears to be a large roadside quarry for road construction. Not sure what the stream/river name is but it is the upper reaches of the Wissey. The Romans would of course have bridged it whereas the older Icknield Way would most likely have been a simple ford. There is evidence for the Icknield Way diverting over to use the Roman road and bridge.

Route Map 1

The clue here is we have a straight road pointing towards a junction with Peddars Way which would have shared a bridge over the stream/river with Peddars Way.

Route Map 2

The turn to the south for the stream/river crossing is sensible engineering and just what was to expected. Pre-Roman Icknield Way would have had a ford. The R0oman had the engineering skills to build a bridge.

The section is inaccessible due to having been taken over for an Army Range.

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Last update: August 2024

© David Ratledge