Wheeldale Roman Road
History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation
HERITAGE HIGHLIGHTS: Is it a Roman road or a Neolithic field boundary?
Is it a Road? Is it Roman?
English Heritage calls it a 'linear monument', which is descriptive but not too specific. The first written record of the Wheeldale 'road' comes from a map of 1720, where it was called 'Wade's Causeway - a Roman Way'. The association with the Romans was picked up by later antiquarians as a given fact.
It was said to be part of a road stretching from Amotherby to Whitby, a distance of about 33 miles. Theories suggest that a road could have looped north to the Esk Valley, or south Sutherland Lodge. Many of the 'road' theories are based on conjecture, linking Roman finds at various nearby locations to crete a possibly road route.
However, recent archaeological investigation has cast doubt over the Roman link. Archaeologists now think it's current form could be medieval, possibly based on a Neolithic boundary feature.
The exposed section of 'road' on Wheeldale runs about 1.25 miles, along the eastern slope of the moor. Large parts of the road surface have been covered by encroaching moorland. Before the moorland regeneration covered parts of the road, it was measured at between 5.4 and 6.7 metres across, with kerbstones of upright stone slabs at some points.
In the 1950s a series of 12 channels were found, described as culverts, but yet again this interpretation has been questioned by modern archaeologists, leaving us once again with the question, was it a road, or something else entirely?
Its the location that makes Wheeldale so enjoyable to visit. The setting is simply wonderful, with views over the exposed moors. The road itself is easy to make out, though puzzling. If you've seen Roman roads before, say, for example, at Binchester in County Durham, you might expect a very regular surface of carefully laid stones, arranged in layers according to a standardised system of road building practice. That simply isn't the case at Wheeldale; here the stones seem huge by comparison, and in places strewn about with abandon. Walking along the surface of the 'road' I couldn't stop puzzling over whether it was a road at all. But no matter what it is, its a fascinating historic site, and the mystery only adds to its appeal.
About Wheeldale Roman Road
Address: Wheeldale Moor, Goathland, Whitby, Yorkshire, England
Attraction Type: Roman Site
Location: off a minor road north of Pickering
Website: Wheeldale Roman Road
English Heritage - see also: English Heritage memberships (official website)
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time
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NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low-exceptional) on historic interest
North York Moors National Park - 5.7 miles (Countryside)
Lastingham, St Mary's Church - 6.7 miles (Historic Church)
Pickering Castle - 8.5 miles (Castle)
North Yorkshire Moors Railway - 8.5 miles (Museum)
Beck Isle Museum - 8.6 miles (Museum)
Pickering Church - 8.6 miles (Historic Church)
Fylingdales, St Stephen's Old Church - 9.8 miles (Historic Church)
Whitby Abbey - 10.1 miles (Abbey)
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