Roman Road, Cambridgeshire

Roman Road
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationCambridgeshire
Grid referenceTL 526 520[1]
InterestBiological
Area12.4 hectares[1]
Notification1984[1]
Location mapMagic Map

The Roman Road in Cambridgeshire, also known as Worsted Street Roman Road,[2] is a 12.4-hectare (31-acre) linear biological Site of Special Scientific Interest stretching from south-east of Cambridge to north of Linton.[1][3] It is also a Scheduled Monument,[4] and is maintained by Cambridgeshire County Council.[5]

This green lane has calcareous grassland, thick hedges and small copses, which provide a valuable habitat for invertebrates. There are grasses such as sheep’s-fescue and quaking-grass, while herbs include wild carrot and purple milk-vetch.[6]

The date of the road is uncertain, but archaeological excavation has confirmed that it is Roman, and probably constructed later than the first century. It was a local road connecting Cambridge to the Icknield Way.[2]

The road is a public footpath[5] and part of the E2 European long distance path.

  1. ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Roman Road". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b Malim, Tim (11 April 2012). "Roman Road". Friends of the Roman Road and Fleam Dyke. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Map of Roman Road". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Worstead Street (Via Devana) near Cambridge. List entry Number: 1003263". Historic England. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Roman Road" (PDF). Cambridgeshire County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Roman Road citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2016.