Ixworth to Scole

Margary Number: None

Distance: 15.75 miles (Ixworth to Scole)

Ixworth and Scole were substantial Roman settlements or small towns so a link between them was to be expected.

This previously unknown road was to play a big part in solving the location of the lost Roman town of Sitomagus -its existence solved the puzzle. See separate section on Iter IX.

This road shares the route out of Ixworth with Peddars Way and Margary 331. In reality it begins at Bardwell where it branches off and heads for Scole or rather just south of Scole on the Pye (Roman) Road.

NEW 3D Lidar video from Ixworth to Scole - see link at the bottom

Historic Counties: Suffolk

Current Counties: Suffolk

HER: Suffolk

Full Route - Lidar and Aerial Image

Very simple solution to get between the two Roman settlements. Use part of the existing Peddars Way then head off to just south of the bridge over the Waveney at Scole.

Lidar Image & Route Map 1

The initial route is shared with Peddars Way and Margary 331. It really begins at Bardwell. For the common section see either Peddars Way or Margary 331.

Oblique 3D Lidar Image - Bardwell to Scole

Not the straightest of routes but in this 3D view you can see why they took the course they did. Dead straight would have ended up fighting the contours of those valleys so they kept to the north (left) of them.

This was the view where I first spotted this road.

The Start of the Roman Road - Stanton Road, Bardwell

Peddars Way & Margary 331 passes diagonally across the modern road here and our road to Scole begins at this spot. It does look Roman doesn't it! We are looking towards Scole with Bardwell Village behind us.

Image: Google

Lidar Image & Route Map 2

Probably the best surviving stretch of this road. Further on it suffers from more modern disturbance.

Lidar Image & Route Map 3

The Roman line bypasses Hinderclay to its north but goes straight through Redgrave's village green

Chapel Road, Hinderclay

The hedgeline to the left (west) of Chapel Road marks the line. A modern footpath follows the Roman road on the other side of the hedge.

Image: Google

Google Earth - Hinderclay

The route is obvious in this Google Earth aerial passing to the north of Hinderclay. The modern road through Hinderclay is called The Street but is not the Roman line.

Image: Google

Stream Crossing between Hinderclay & Redgrave - 3D Lidar & Google Earth Aerial

Between Hinderclay and Redgrave the road crosses a stream (Crackthorn Stream?). On the east bank Lidar shows a very clear and pronounced agger. On the west bank however there is little trace - the road presumably ploughed away. However, whilst it is easy to remove a built up agger it is harder to remove the ditches, which appear to have survived. They match the road alignment exactly so there can be little doubt they are Roman.

Redgrave Village Green

The Roman road crosses Redgrave village green and heads on down the lane passing the Church.

Image: Google

Lidar Image & Route Map 4

The road starts to subtly change direction to head for the Pye Roman road and its bridge over the River Waveney.

Diss Golf Course

The route crosses the second fairway and the first green - shown right. It looks to have survived best on the second fairway beyond the tee but I couldn't find a picture of that spot. Any golfers like to oblige?

Image: Diss Golf Course

Lidar Image & Route Map 5

Our road must have joined the Pye Road somewhere near the modern roundabout but roadworks look to have removed all trace. It was then a short journey north to Scole over the River Waveney.

NEW 3D Lidar video from Ixworth to Scole

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Last update: June 2020

© David Ratledge