site type catalogue

roman roads

Note: This category includes Roman or Romano-British roads. Each entry is a summary only; if further information is available, it is to be found via a link to the Parish Catalogue entry included for the 'parts', or via a link to a related historical discussion. Otherwise, I simply note that no further details are catalogued; meaning I have not found any further information, or have not yet included it. You will find source information in the parish entries.

A full explanation of the standardised phrases used in the Parish Catalogue, but also here in the Site Type Catalogue, is included on the key to catalogues page.

Roads are included in order of catalogue number.

AN-5. Crossdale Street.

Catalogue Number: AN-5. Excavation Dates: none catalogued. Grid References: see below. Status: Conjectural.

Details: A number of place names ending "Street" run in an approximately linear fashion south east from near Cromer to near Stalham¹. Given the association of "Street" place names with Roman roads^2,3, the linear anomaly of such names, the paucity of such names for several kilometres west, and the statistical significance of such a close grouping, I record this here as a single road running along this course for economy. I acknowledge a less economical explanation may be several roads running to the coast, but at this time cannot conclude either way.

A very small number of additional "Street" place names occur offset to the east along its length. There are also three groups of "Stone" placenames in line. The name "Crossdale Street" is my own, following my convention of naming Roman roads for which no existing name is catalogued by the northernmost or westernmost "Street" place name.

Discussion: Of possible interest is a "Church Street" shown on the OS Map 1st Edition⁵ at TG245315, offset to the coast; a "Stonebridge Farm" on both OS maps^1,5, at TG386273. This also appears on the OS Map 1st Edition as "Stone House", and on Bryant's map⁶ as "Stone Corner" and a "Stone Falgate", and which itself is at a possible crossing point with uncatalogued "Whitwell Street" if the latter extends beyond the Ant. Town Street however does not appear on the OS Map 1st Edition; Bryant's map and the 1st OS map both record this as Hickling; the modern hamlet of Hickling being called Hickling Green on the latter. I also note that Philip's Street Map⁷ records a "Stonebridge Road" and "Stonebridge Cottage" at Witton Bridge, TG3431, along the approximate route. The 1st Edition OS map records Witton Bridge as "Stonebridge". I also note a short "Grub's Lane" south of Stonebridge Farm, which may or may not have an association with the Grub Street to the north. Finally, somewhat offset to the east and coastward, is a Stone Bridge at TG420252, which also appears on the 1st Edition and Bryant's maps.

Criticism: No archaeological supporting evidence is currently catalogued. I note that there appears to be no supporting map evidence, such as field and parish boundaries, or tracks or roads in modern use.

Grid References and Parts:-

TG204416. uncatalogued. Stone Hill, Cromer.
TG245315. uncatalogued. Church Street, Northrepps.
TG227391. uncatalogued. Village of Crossdale Street, Northrepps.
TG252366. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Upper Street, Southrepps.
TG262354. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Lower Street, Southrepps.
TG303331. AN-3. Hamlet of Old Hall Street, Knapton.
TG335327. AN-4. Hamlet of Pollard Street, Bacton*.
TG348305. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Ridlington Street, Ridlington. Near location of uncatalogued Roman pottery kiln⁴.
TG340313. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Witton Bridge, older name is Stonebridge.
TG375305. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Grub Street, Happisburgh*.
TG420252. uncatalogued. Stone Bridge*.
TG386273. uncatalogued. Stonebridge Farm; recorded on older maps by various names that include the "Stone" element.
TG403253. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Calthorpe Street, Ingham.
TG414240. uncatalogued. Hamlet of Town Street, Hickling. This may be a modern name.

*indicates offset.

Map: click here.

unanswered questions

1. Do you know of any supporting archaeological evidence for the existence of "Crossdale Street", AN-5?
2. Do you know of any supporting evidence for Roman roads that cross or else may disprove the existence of "Crossdale Street", AN-5?
3. Do you know of any supporting evidence for the existence of other Roman roads in Norfolk not catalogued here?

primary sources

none catalogued.

secondary sources

¹Ordnance Survey® Explorer™ series of maps.

²Mills, A.D. ( ed.) (1991). Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names OUP.

³Domesday Online: http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/places.html

⁴Ordnance Survey® Roman Britain map.

⁵http://www.historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/Emap/EmapExplorer.asp

tertiary sources

⁶Barringer, J.C. 1998. Bryant's Map of Norfolk in 1826. The Larks Press.

⁷Anonymous (2003). Philip's Street Atlas: Norfolk. Philip's.