The Roman road of the Fosseway descends into Batheaston via the Bannerdown hill, before joining the London Road (A4) also a former Roman road. The hill rises to above sea level, and on the top of the hill rest the Three Shire Stones (three vertical blocks of limestone with a large cap) which mark where the historical counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset meet. The stones are formed in the style of a burial chamber, there are three small dressed stones (the original stones) inside, each dated 1736 and with the initial of one of the three counties. The previous Shire stones are shown on a John Speede map dated 1610. Sometime in 1859 a Cromlech was erected over the top of the original stones which possibly were part of a burial chamber. Local newspapers and national journals of the time report that three skeletons were found in the hole along with a James II coin whilst the work was being completed. Each stone is approximately 9–12 feet in height and weighs four to five tons, with the cap being of a similar size and weight. The work at the time in 1859 was costed as £34 5s 8d, dinner to the workmen was also included.