Roman Road (Plenmeller with Whitfield; Hexhamshire and District; Hexham; Allendale; Corbridge)
A Roman road branched near Whitley Castle [NY 64 NE 1] to the Northumberland Watling Street [authority is referring to Dere Street RR8D] near Corbridge [NY 9864]. It crosses the South Tyne about a mile and a half north of Alston [see NY 64 NE 6] and its course is now followed by a highway over Willyshaw Rigg [NY 7351] and a track onwards to the West Allen river, which it crossed on the south of Whitfield Hall [NY 7756]. Highways follow the course on nearly all the way, crossing the East Allen a mile to the west of Catton [NY 8057] and passing a mile to the south of Hexham [NY 9362] and to the north of Dilston [NY 9763]. On to the Tyne it is shown on MacLauchlan's map of the Northumberland Watling Street. Warburton shows the whole road on his map of Northumberland (1716). (1)
Junction with Maiden Way, and short length of road shown at west end by OS as course of. (2)
The only apparent evidence for this road is:-
1. Warburton's map of 1716 from which Codrington (above) has described the course. Examination of this map cannot better this course.
2. MacLauchlan's map, which shows the start of a road branching from Dere Street south of the Roman bridge which crosses the River Tyne at Corbridge. No traces exist on the ground.
3. A bridge abutment at NY 69964925. See NY 64 NE 3.
4. A supposed Roman fort at Old Town NY 81435794, see NY 85 NW 1.
5. Some Roman bronze vessels found near Whitfield Hall, see NY 75 NE 3.
6. A Roman altar found at NY 79956080, see NY 76 SE 2.
SUMMARY. The evidence of 1-3 suggests that a road may have existed between Whitley Castle and Corbridge, and 4-6 implies that it may have been Roman. Nothing, however, was found to substantiate these claims, either by ground inspection, or from available aerial photographs (RAF 1946). (3)
The alleged course of this road just after it supposedly crossed the River East Allen at Old Town (area NY 8158) was investigated briefly as part of the English Heritage: Miner-Farmer Landscape Project. No evidence for it was found (see reports on NY 85 NW 1 and NW 7 for specific information). (4)
Additional references. (5-8)
Junction with Maiden Way, and short length of road shown at west end by OS as course of. (2)
The only apparent evidence for this road is:-
1. Warburton's map of 1716 from which Codrington (above) has described the course. Examination of this map cannot better this course.
2. MacLauchlan's map, which shows the start of a road branching from Dere Street south of the Roman bridge which crosses the River Tyne at Corbridge. No traces exist on the ground.
3. A bridge abutment at NY 69964925. See NY 64 NE 3.
4. A supposed Roman fort at Old Town NY 81435794, see NY 85 NW 1.
5. Some Roman bronze vessels found near Whitfield Hall, see NY 75 NE 3.
6. A Roman altar found at NY 79956080, see NY 76 SE 2.
SUMMARY. The evidence of 1-3 suggests that a road may have existed between Whitley Castle and Corbridge, and 4-6 implies that it may have been Roman. Nothing, however, was found to substantiate these claims, either by ground inspection, or from available aerial photographs (RAF 1946). (3)
The alleged course of this road just after it supposedly crossed the River East Allen at Old Town (area NY 8158) was investigated briefly as part of the English Heritage: Miner-Farmer Landscape Project. No evidence for it was found (see reports on NY 85 NW 1 and NW 7 for specific information). (4)
Additional references. (5-8)
N6369
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1966; E C Waight
EXCAVATION, Watch Currick and Low Stublick 2016; Altogether Archaeology
TEST PIT, Watch Currick 2016; Altogether Archaeology
EXCAVATION, Possible Roman Road at Kirkhaugh ; Altogether Archaeology
EXCAVATION, Watch Currick and Low Stublick 2016; Altogether Archaeology
TEST PIT, Watch Currick 2016; Altogether Archaeology
EXCAVATION, Possible Roman Road at Kirkhaugh ; Altogether Archaeology
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.