Stane Street (Colchester) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
[[File:|175x70px|alt= shield]] Stane Street |
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| Roman Road | |
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Roman Britain, with Stane Street in red
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| Route information | |
| Length | 63 km (39 mi) |
| Time period | Roman Britain |
| Major junctions | |
| From | Braughing |
| To | Camulodunum (Colchester) |
| Location | |
| Counties: | Hertfordshire, Essex |
| Road network | |
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Stane Street is an ancient Roman road in England. It stretches about 63 kilometers (39 miles) long. This historic road connects two important Roman towns. It runs from Braughing in Hertfordshire to Colchester in Essex. The Romans built it to help move soldiers and goods quickly.
Contents
What Was Stane Street For?
Roman roads like Stane Street were very important. They helped the Roman army travel across Britain. They also made it easier for people to trade goods. These roads connected major towns and forts. This helped the Romans control the land. Stane Street linked the town of Braughing to Camulodunum (Colchester). Colchester was one of the first Roman capitals in Britain.
Where Does Stane Street Go?
You can still find parts of Stane Street today. Many sections are now modern roads or paths. You can often see its straight path on a map. This is because Roman engineers built their roads very straight.
Stane Street's Path Today
The road joins the A120 east of Standon. From there, much of the old route follows the A120. This includes areas that have new bypasses now.
- It goes east through Little Hadham. Then it enters Bishop's Stortford. Here, the original Roman road disappears near the river. A different crossing was built later by the Anglo-Saxons. This new crossing is about 600 meters south of the Roman one.
- The path continues east across the M11. It follows the old A120, now the B1256. This goes through Takeley and into Great Dunmow. The new A120 bypasses the town center.
- It then heads east through Rayne and Braintree. After that, it passes through Coggeshall and Marks Tey. Finally, Stane Street arrives at its end point in Colchester.
How Was Stane Street Built?
The Romans were amazing builders. They used several layers to make their roads strong. First, they dug a trench. Then, they added large stones for the base. On top of that, they put smaller stones and gravel. The very top layer was often flat paving stones. This made the roads durable and long-lasting. They also built ditches on the sides for drainage. This kept the roads from flooding.
Finding Stane Street Today
Even though it's very old, you can still explore parts of Stane Street. Many sections are now quiet country lanes. Others are public footpaths or bridleways. Looking at an Ordnance Survey map can help you find them. It's a great way to connect with history. You can walk or cycle on paths that Romans used thousands of years ago.
