Fosse Way

Near the village of Rodmarton, you can connect with an ancient pathway that's been in continuous use for nearly two thousand years. Originally built to link key Roman settlements like Exeter and Lincoln, it served both military and commercial purposes, fundamentally shaping the landscape and economy of Roman Britain. What's worth appreciating is how much of its original course remains functional today, often simply incorporated into modern roads.

You won't find grand excavated ruins here, but that's actually part of what makes this particular stretch rewarding. The real appeal is the awareness that you're quite literally walking or driving on a route that has carried traffic since Roman times. It's a direct connection to the distant past, an opportunity to consider how Roman engineering and planning still underpins parts of our world today.

The village of Rodmarton itself offers a pleasant spot to pause and reflect on this ancient thoroughfare. If you want to explore Roman history more thoroughly, Cirencester lies directly on the Fosse Way and is well worth the short drive. As the Romans knew it, Corinium Dobunnorum was a major settlement, and today its museum and amphitheatre remains provide a fuller picture of Roman life throughout the region.