This is a journey along the Fosse Way¹, the important north south road running up the western side of the of Great Britain. The road runs from Exeter (Devon) in the south to Lincoln (Lincolnshire) in the north, forming one of the main routes in Roman Britain.

Travellers on the road were served by a system of way stations or mansios. The privately owned Cauponae were also established along the routes, providing basic hostel-like accommodation. However, the upper classes would use the better tabernae; these began as houses on the roadside offering a service similar to the modern 'bed and breakfast' system. Travellers would also need sufficient money to pay the various tolls along the way.
At Lincoln, the Fosse Way joins Ermine Street where travellers continued their journey north through Owmby and south through Ancaster - (Cavsennae). This would suggest that trade goods from the Empire entered Roman Britain from the southern end of this major thoroughfare and were distributed throughout Britain.

The Start of The Fosse Way

Unlike Watling Street the Fosse Way has one clear starting point:

• Exeter: - A Roman Legionary Fortress, founded by the II Legion in 46 AD in a riverside settlement of the Dumnonii. A clearly well-placed settlement, as the town flourished and developed into a prosperous town and port.

But the Fosse Way has in one place two routes;

• Route 1 the north eastern; Exeter - Honiton² - Ham Hill - Ilchester - Shepton Mallet - Camerton - Bath.
• Route 2 the eastern; Exeter - Honiton - Axminster - Ham Hill - Ilchester - Shepton Mallet - Camerton - Bath.

We are going to travel back in time to 100-200 AD, when the journey described in this Entry would have been possible. You will see over 20 settlements, from the grand to the rural, some of which existed just to serve the garrison of the fort near where they are built, and to give shelter to the travellers on the Fosse Way. The journey on foot will take a minimum of about nine days - that's assuming you walk eight hours a day, travelling an average of 32 to 33 miles per day. It is interesting to note that the longest distance between any two points on this journey is the 23 miles between Exeter and Honiton. This is less than one day's travel for foot soldiers, although wagons and carts could be as slow as eight miles a day.
All distances given are starting from Exeter.

The condition of the towns and sites today. Shown as (Exeter) (4) in subheading.

1 = No longer visible. Or built over.

2 = Building platforms, mounds and crop marks.

3 = Some ruins are visible above ground.

4 = Visible site with museum support.

5 = A major site and tourist attraction.

Exeter - Isca Dumnoniorum (4) - 'The Riverside Settlement of the Dumnonii'

British Tribal City and a Roman Legionary Fortress of II³ Legion, and founded in 46 AD. Originally a Celtic oppidum (tribal capital), or town, founded on the river Exe. The town had a basilica, forum, temples and baths. The homes were of timber and stone and mosaic floors and painted plasterwork were not uncommon. The town also had a very busy and prosperous town and port trading area in Topsham 3 miles to the south west.

Topsham (1) - The port for Exeter

The settlement was originally intended to provide a port to supply the Legions in Exeter and the west of Britain. A small but busy port that developed into Exeter’s access to the sea. The Topsham settlement was of timber-framed housing and a few stone buildings, with some paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue east north east from Exeter to Honiton - 18 miles

Total so far 0 miles.

Honiton - Muridunum (1) - 'Hillfort of the dead'

A small religious and trading settlement built alongside the Fosse Way. The settlement developed around 48 AD, around a hill fort that was on the border of the British tribes the Dumnonii and the Durotriges.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way north east continue to Ham Hill 23 miles
• On the Fosse Way east continue to Axminster 9 miles

Total so far 18 miles.

On the Fosse Way eastern route to Axminster - (1)

The settlement founded as a fort 64 AD, on the Fosse Way and built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. Sited in a farming area it was a prosperous settlement of timber framed and stone housing and some municipal buildings, trade buildings and warehouses and paved streets. And there was a small port on the River Axe.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north to Ilchester⁴ 26 miles

Total so far 9 miles.

On the Fosse Way north east route to Ham Hill - (2)

There was a Fort at Ham Hill built by the Second Augusta in 46 AD. A trading settlement developed alongside the fort and the Fosse Way. The settlement was of timber-framed housing and a few stone buildings, with some paved streets. The settlement was established to take advantage of the stone quarries in the area. This was not the place where a particularly fine stone called 'Ham Stone' was quarried, this ham hill was 11 miles to the north.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Ilchester 6 miles

Total so far 41 miles.

Ilchester - Lindinis (2) - 'The place of lime trees'

A settlement defended with an earth and stone ramparts and ditches. The town had with a wide variety of housing, several temples and a theatre, with stone municipal buildings, and mainly paved streets.

There was a junction of the Fosse Way and local roads to Old Sarum (Sorbiodunum), Bawdrip, East Anton, West Coker and Dorchester to the east of the town. And the two branches of the Fosse Way rejoin and become the Fosse Way to Shepton Mallet. Total via Axminster and re joining the direct route is 36 miles.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Shepton Mallet 16 miles

Total so far 47 miles.

Shepton Mallet - (2)

A prosperous settlement of timber framed and stone housing and stone built municipal buildings. trade buildings and warehouses and paved streets. The town was a local centre for a pottery producing industry that supplied the whole province. There were over 7 pottery kilns sited to the south west of the town, and was the home of potters, amongst other trades.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Camerton 9 miles

Total so far 63 miles.

Nettlebridge valley Roman Coal mines - (1)

The Fosse Way passes a land mark on this part of the journey, the open cast Roman Coal mines. In the Nettlebridge valley. There is evidence of this in the area together with buildings associated with trade in this resource.

Camerton - (1)

A thriving settlement with an earth and timber ramparts and ditches, with a wide variety of housing, a temple and a theatre, with stone municipal buildings, and some paved streets an a busy market.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to 7 miles

Total so far 72 miles.

Bath - Aquae Sulis (5) - ‘The Town of Sul’

An important settlement and a major religious centre. The town was the site of hot water spar a pool and springs dedicated to the deity Sul (Minerva). The pool was enclosed by a bath house sanctuary complex with eight or more temples surrounding it. Of the main temples one was built with a square floor plan and three had a rectangular plan. They were all built alongside the Fosse Way . The town and the settlement was defended with an earth and stone walls, the settlement was of stone and timber-framed housing and fine stone municipal buildings, with paved streets inns and bathhouses, stone and mosaic floors were not uncommon. There was a wide variety of shops and traders serving the town and surrounding area. The town also had a small port at Sea Mills on the mouth of the Avon river. There was a local pottery industry near the town. The road south after 37 miles reached the trading port at Poole Harbour trading in goods from Gaul for salt, local produce, Limestone and shale from Purbeck and Wareham.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Nettleton 8 miles

Total so far 79 miles.

Nettleton⁵ - (3)

The settlement founded on the Fosse Way and built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. It was a settlement of timber-framed housing and a few trade buildings and shops. There was a stream alongside of the settlement with evidence of a water wheel to serve the settlement. Of the three religious sites in the settlement the temple to the goddess Diana was built with a rectangular floor plan, the other two were shrines both were dedicated to the god Apollo.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Easton Grey 8 miles

Total so far 87 miles.

Easton Grey - (2)

The settlement founded on the Fosse Way and built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. Sited in a farming area it was a prosperous settlement of timber framed and stone housing and some municipal buildings, trade buildings and warehouses and paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Cirencester 14 miles

Total so far 95 miles.

Cirencester - Corinium Dobunnorum - (5) - 'The settlement of the Dubunni on the Churn river'

Starting as a fort to guard the Fosse Way crossing of the river Churn It was at this point the town's expansion began. With good connections to the prosperous estates in the area, the wool and cattle trade flourished. The town was a rival to London being the second largest in Britain. A basilica, forum, temple and baths were built; these were followed by a temple complex, to the south east of the town an amphitheatre was built. The homes were of timber and stone and mosaic floors were common in the homes of the many leading citizens. There were mosaic craftsmen established in the town serving clients in a wide area. There was a wide variety of shops. Glass making, brick, tile and pottery production were all established in the town. Cirencester was noted for its gold work.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Bourton on the Water, passing Chedworth 15 miles

Total so far is 109 miles; this is approximately the half way point of the journey to Lincoln.

Chedworth Villa Estate - (2)

The Fosse Way passes a land mark on this part of the journey, the villa estate of Chedworth. The largest of the many estates in the area it was built near the river Coln. It had the evidence of its wealth were the mosaics and hypocausts, by its size and wealth it dominated this part of the Cotswolds.

Bourton on the Water - (2)

This was a trading settlement built either side of the Fosse Way. The settlement was of timber-framed housing and a few stone municipal buildings, with mainly paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Moreton in the Marsh - (Dorn) 8 miles

Total so far 124 miles.

Moreton in the Marsh - Dorn (1)

A large market town, built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts of timber-framed housing and buildings, and mainly paved streets. Little is known of the settlement and all but the name and location are lost.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Ettington 9 miles

Total so far 132 miles.

Ettington - (1)

A small market town, a small settlement of timber-framed housing and buildings, with some paved streets. Little is known of the settlement as all but the name and location are lost.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Chesterton on Fosse 8 miles

Total so far 141 miles.

Chesterton on Fosse - (1)

Chesterton on Fosse was founded as a way station at a point where the Fosse Way crossed a small river. This grew into a small market town, a small settlement of timber-framed housing and buildings, and mainly paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to High Cross - (Venonis) 'Place of poison plants' 22 miles

Total so far 149 miles.

High Cross - Venonis (2) - 'Place of poison plants'

Founded before the arrival of the Romans in Britain, and built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. Built at the junction of Watling Street and the Fosse Way. A settlement of timber-framed housing and a few trade buildings and mainly paved streets.

The crossroads with Watling Street and the Fosse Way at this important road junction:

To continue your journey:

• On Watling Street: west north west(10) to Mancetter - (Mandvessedum) - 'The place of war chariots'.
• On Watling Street: south east (7) to Caves Inn - (Tripontium) (2) - 'The town with three bridges'
• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Leicester - (Ratae Corieltavorum) 12 miles

Total so far 171 miles.

Leicester - Rate Coritanorum (3) - 'The Capital of the Coritani '

Leicester a probable Claudian Vexillation⁶ Fortress of the XIV⁷ Legion in 46 -47 AD, and a British Tribal City of (or Civitas) of the Coritani.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Willoughby on the Wolds - (Vernemetum) 14 miles

Total so far 183 miles.

Willoughby on the Wolds - Vernemetum (2) 'The Spring Grove'

A walled town defended with an earth and timber ramparts and ditches, with a wide variety of good housing, a temple and a theatre, with stone municipal buildings, and mainly paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to East Bridgeford 10 miles

Total so far 197 miles.

East Bridgeford⁸ - Margidunum (1) - 'The road by the mere hill'

The settlement was founded on the Fosse Way and built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. Sited in a farming area it was a prosperous settlement of timber framed and stone housing and some municipal buildings, trade buildings and warehouses and paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to East Stoke⁹ 7 miles

Total so far 207 miles.

East Stoke/Thorpe by Newark - Ad Pontem (2) - 'The Place of the Bridges'

The settlement was first founded as a fort of the IX¹⁰ Legion in 46 - 47 AD, and the name 'The Place of the Bridges' gives the reason for the forts founding. It was established at a crossing of the river Trent where a pre Roman track way (from Denton to Aldborough - (Isurium Brigantum)) also crossed the river. The settlement grew to serve the fort and the surrounding areas. It was an ideal site and the defended settlement grew with a wide variety of housing. There was a busy market and trading centre, and there were several temples and a theatre, with good stone municipal buildings, and mainly paved streets.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Brough 7 miles

Total so far 214 miles.

Brough - Crococalana (2) - 'The place of Crows'

A settlement founded on the Fosse Way and close to the river Trent. Brough was built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. It was a settlement of timber-framed housing and a few trade buildings and shops. The town had some impressive stone buildings that were possibly temples, it also had a way station or mansio for travellers on the road.

Approximately 2 miles west of Brough there is a marching camp of the XIV legion built in 46 AD.

To continue your journey:

• On the Fosse Way continue north east to Lincoln 10 miles

Total so far 221 miles.

Lincoln - Lindum (4) - 'A Pool Of Dark Water'

The settlement of Lincoln was first founded as a Legionary fort of the IX Legion in 46 - 47 AD.

The town was founded with good connections to London - (Londinium) via Ermine Street, trade flourished. A basilica, forum, temple and baths were built; these were followed by a temple complex. The homes were of timber and stone and mosaic floors were not uncommon. There was a wide variety of shops. Bronze making, brick, tile and pottery production were all established in the town. terminus of the Fosse Way and travellers had to continue north or south on Ermine Street.

To continue your journey:

• To the east to Horncastle (Bannoualum) 22 miles
• On Ermine Street: north to Owmby 10 miles
• On Ermine Street: south to Ancaster - (Causennae) 17 miles

The total journey was 231 miles on the direct route on the. If the journey is via Axminster the journey total is 237 miles

Horncastle - Bannoualum - (1)

The town was founded as a defended settlement substantial defensive works similar to were built Portchester, good connections to the sea were important for trade. There is no evidence for a port, but landing areas were possible. The settlement founded on the road connecting to Lincoln and the Fosse Way, and was built as a defended settlement with earth and timber ramparts and faced with a ditch. It was a settlement of timber-framed housing and a few trade buildings and shops.

To continue your journey:

• To the east to Skegness 20 miles

Total so far: 253 miles, 231 miles on Fosse Way and 22 miles on un named roads.

Skegness - (2)

The town was founded as a port and settlement good connections to the sea were important for trade. There is evidence for a port. The settlement founded on the road connecting to Holme next the Sea an ferry point and a connection south to London. It was a settlement of timber-framed housing and a few trade buildings warehouses and shops.

To continue your journey:

• On the ferry crossing west to Holm next to the Sea on the northern shore of the Wash

Total so far: 273 miles, 231 miles on Fosse Way and 42 miles on un named roads.

The ferry across the Wash from Kempstone to Holme next the Sea

Holm next to the Sea - (2)

The settlement was a ferry point on the northern shores of the Wash good connections had already been established before the Roman invasion. There is evidence for a small trade port. It was a small settlement of timber-framed housing and a few trade buildings warehouses.

To continue your journey south to London:

• On the Peddars Way continue south west to Kempstone 20 miles.

Total so far: 273 miles, 231 miles on Fosse Way and 42 miles on un named roads.

To continue your journey south to London:

• On the Peddlers Way to Kempstone .
• On the Fen Causeway from Kempstone to Water Newton - (Durobriuae) Cambridgeshire.
• On Ermine Street from Water Newton to London - Londinium.
• On Stane Street from London to Chichester and Bosham, a sheltered harbour and the trade routes to Gaul and the Empire. This would have been a very important east coast route.

Milestones

The Milliarium Aureum was the milestone that was placed in Rome, on the orders of Augustus, as the starting point from which all mileages to other parts of the empire were to be measured. Milestones on Roman roads gave the distance to Rome as well as local information, and were placed 1000 paces apart.
"All roads lead to Rome" ...and, evidently, away from it.

Notes on Roman Roads

Initially, the cost of the road was borne by the state; after that it was the responsibility of the local government to raise the money to keep the road in good repair. An official called the Curatores Viarum was appointed who had to raise the money to maintain the roads in his care.
Roman roads were not free. There were tolls collected at the towns along the course of the road. As a point of interest, the bridges were a particular source of revenue. This explains the survival and continuous use of fords along the routes.

A Roman mile is 1000 paces and a milestone was set up to mark each mile.
Each milestone had a dedication to the Emperor of the day. At the high of the expansion of the Empire, roads were built at the rate of one kilometre every day.

The Roman surveying tool the groma or 'surveyor's cross' could not be used to survey round corners. It was a line-of-sight tool that could only be used to plot straight lines as in roads, or in 90 degree right angles as used in laying out towns. Thus Roman roads are straight or cornered in a series of straight sections.