Ermine Street, Roman road in eastern England
Ermine Street is a Roman road in eastern England that runs 193 miles (310 kilometers) from London through Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire up to Yorkshire, linking the ancient settlements of Londinium, Lincoln and York. Sections of the original route now run alongside the modern A1 highway and smaller roads such as the B6403.
Roman engineers built this road after the occupation of Britain in 43 AD to ease military movements and administration across the territory. The route remained a major connection for centuries and shaped the growth of many settlements along its course.
The name comes from the Earningas people who lived in the Armingford Hundred near what is now Arrington and Royston. Local place names along the route still reflect this early settlement and show how the route shaped the area.
Walkers can still follow sections of the original Roman route, which runs partly alongside today's A1 and through rural areas in Lincolnshire. Many stretches are open via public footpaths and offer a calm experience away from traffic.
The Newport Arch in Lincoln is the only Roman gateway in England that vehicles can still drive through today, marking a key point along this ancient route. Beneath the arch, worn ruts from Roman wagon wheels remain visible in the stone.
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