 Roman Road Market western entrance | |
| Location | Bethnal Green/Old Ford, Tower Hamlets, London |
|---|---|
| Postal code | E2, E3 |
| Nearest train station |  Bethnal Green |
| Coordinates | 51°31′57″N 0°01′54″W / 51.53248°N 0.03169°W |
Roman Road is a road in East London, England, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets entirely on the B119 on the B roads network. It lies on the old Roman Pye Road of the Roman Empire running from the capital of the Iceni at Venta Icenorum (near modern Norwich) to Londinium (modern City of London) and today hosts a street market. Beginning in Old Ford at its eastern end, it passes into Bethnal Green to its western end.
Initially believed to be a path paralleling an ancient Roman road connecting London to Colchester, discoveries of Roman artifacts in the 19th and 20th centuries have lent credence to its historical significance. By the mid-19th century, the Metropolitan Board of Works established the Roman Road, formalizing the ancient Driftway into a vital thoroughfare. This area, previously rural, rapidly urbanized, becoming a focal point for social and political activity.
The Roman Road was notably a center for the East London Federation of Suffragettes, with Sylvia Pankhurst’s significant presence in Old Ford Road, contributing to local welfare through food and work provision, and leading suffragette demonstrations that became confrontational with authorities. Additionally, the road has been a hub for political radicalism, with noted socialists and public meetings emphasizing the community's engagement in social debates and reforms.
Local landmarks like Bow Baths and the Passmore Edwards library, alongside churches like St Paul’s and St Barnabas, underscore the area's commitment to public services, cultural enrichment, and architectural heritage. The evolution of housing along the Roman Road, from Victorian terraces to modern estates, reflects broader social changes and challenges in urban development and community building. The Roman Road Market dates back to at least 1843, and along with the surrounding shops and public spaces, continues to be a part of local life.