How Did Romans Cross a River - The Thames! (Near Dorchester).

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Welcome to this weeks video in which we try to establish how to Romans crossed The River Thames near Dorchester.
Music: Epidemicsound.com, storyblocks.
Maps: OS Maps Crown Copyright 2023 - Media License.
Maps: Google Maps.
Maps: National Library of Scotland
Maps: Lidar. Phil Barret.

[@hedleythorne]

Great to see familiar countryside. The point on the map is where the river Thame meets the river Isis to become the River Thames. It may be worth me looking for any signs of earthworks through the woods and fields directly to the South at Brightwell Barrow sometime. Great video.

[@jamesdavis332]

I haven't got any photos to hand but as you follow that bridleway south towards Brightwell it turns into a Holloway in parts.

[@Nick-pk4sq]

I love this kind of walk with a mystery to solve. In a similar vein I spent this morning running around trails south of Dorking seeing if I could find any trace of Stane Street (the Roman road from London to Chichester). It still survives as footpaths then the modern road north of Dorking, and the modern road picks it up again about 10 miles to the south. In between is a section up and down steep hills that has clearly stopped being useful or easy to maintain at some point, and is mostly under woodland. Like you I find it fascinating trying to uncover the traces of what’s left.

[@XmarkedSpot]

The public right of way (? or what the thing is called that allows "unrestricted" travel of civilians across the country by foot) is a thing that just never ceases to amaze me. Greetings from Germany, keep up the great work!

[@rhodsullivan7773]

Doesn't apply in Scotland. England and Wales are dreadful when it comes to access.

[@philiptownsend4026]

Greetings Germany. We are not as free to roam as you might think. But thanks for your kindness. We don't get much kindness from Europe these days 😢

[@eekee6034]

@@rhodsullivan7773 It depends on the county. From personal experience, West Sussex and Derbyshire are very good. Some counties are really into the whole countryside access thing, others hate it.

[@heniiku]

❤ Allemanrätten. Translates to "All mans right" in Swedish. Gives people far reaching rights to enjoy nature no matter who owns the land. Come experience it!

[@XmarkedSpot]

@@fredfreddy2338 Still, it's quite telling about the values upheld by the society, e.g. trust in your fellow citizens and fundamental rights regardless of class. I guess it's easier to enforce it on an island where it's hard to ultimately run from the ire of your peers but nonetheless.

[@markelliot1248]

Thanks for the video love to see this kind of content. What maybe should be considered is that the Roman occupation was 400 years, so a crossing that started as a ferry or ford may well have been upgraded to a bridge to allow year round crossing and that could have been replaced a second time during the occupation. so there may have been a number of different crossings.

[@pwhitewick]

Very good point Mark

[@familylife3624]

If there had been a crossing using a bridge would there not possibly be some sort of evidence left over or would it be that it could have been made of timber and therefore just rotted away , any way lovely little vid Paul and Rebecca

[@pwhitewick]

@@familylife3624 my assumption would be just that. Timber framed, both Ferry Crossings and a bridge.

[@lernerleben]

​@@familylife3624 I think you answered your question. Timber first, then something more permanent. London bridge, for example, was originally timber.

[@zcam1969]

Paul needs a nip of sherry i think

[@martinmarsola6477]

I think you summations are valid. Things change drastically through that time period. As always, thank you both for your labors making this video and valid opinions to ponder. Happy Father’s Day to both your families where it applies. A cracking week to you both, and see you both on the next!❤❤😊😊

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

Margary often relies on straight lines of hedges and even fences, but as you rightly say he did reference works by earlier antiquarians and they sometimes had the advantage of more visible remains in the landscape - before intensive farming wiped everything out. I think I'm right in saying that the road you were looking at here, is a bit more visible in other locations on the alignment. It would be fantastic to find out the story behind the 'supposed Roman ferry' - it doesn't seem wholly unlikely that they might have alternative crossings close to a fairly significant town.

[@pwhitewick]

Yup.... intensive farming and likely silt on the very low ground here took over any signs south of Dorchester for a couple of miles. I'm not sure how to go about finding more on that crossing.

[@zcam1969]

@@pwhitewick try a nip of sherry. Paul you are lost at this point .Matee

[@christophernoble6810]

The Romans used the river systems extensively to transport goods cost effectively. There is a book about this, but cannot recall the title or author unfortunately. Interesting video.

[@davidberlanny3308]

I thought you were going to bump into Hedley!! I wonder why the old map said possible site of a Roman ferry. It did set me thinking if the sites where Roman remains have been found has been mapped. Well done for going out in the heat, knees out next time Paul, Rebecca will be able to find dock leaves if you get stung!! Have a great weekend

[@timhancock6626]

I live quite close to what is generally believed to be an intact Roman ford, largely preserved as it was used as the foundations for a medieval bridge which was plonked( technical term) on top. The footings for a Roman bridge over the River Tees have also been found at Piercebridge just west of Darlington

[@jacksons1010]

One so rarely sees “plonked” used correctly. The true art of plonking was largely lost with the advent of the slide rule. 🤓

[@timhancock6626]

@@jacksons1010 That will explain my wife's affectionate address " You complete plonker". Tis praise indeed 😂

[@RolfStones]

Shout out to the Time Team episode of Piercebridge

[@dblyth5098]

Last year (2022) a Roman River Crossing got discovered on the River Avon near the Warwickshire/Worcestershire border. The exact location was not disclosed, but I think Wychavon Council was involved, which would put it in Worcestershire, perhaps between Bidford on Avon and Evesham. Route of Ickneald Street, goes right through Bidford on Avon, and nearby Alcester, there was a Roman Settlement.

[@Zuckerpuppekopf]

The Dike Hills look as if they could have been used to divert the river while some other work was being done. It never ceases to amaze me what a fertile field Roman archeology is to harvest, decade after decade.

[@andyhill242]

I rescued a bumble bee from the twisted remains of a spider's web yesterday. There used to be an old Roman Ford across the tidal Trent a few miles from me. I just wandered down once and took a look; some years ago, from what I remember, there is a plaque and the evidence of flat stones being placed across the river bed. I guess it could only be used at low tide at times of low river flow.

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

And I rescued a good-size spider from a glue trap yesterday. A few spindly feet got torn off, but spiders do grow them back.

[@philiptownsend4026]

I rescued a beautiful beetle from a rainwater butt. He clung on hard to my finger until he realised he was back to safety. We should all help any creatures in distress. It is humanity.

[@rhonataylor85]

Definitely!

[@horsenuts1831]

Fascinating. I grew up a mile or two from here, so I cycled around most of this area about 50 years ago and used to know it like the back of my hand (well, at least the bits I could get access to). And I'm still learning stuff!

[@clairecarter5941]

Did you walk up the actual Wittenham Clumps themselves (rather than just through the low woodland) The view's are spectacular & worth the hike. Nearby Wallingford (& castle ruins) are also worth investigating too. Aswell as Abingdon & the Abbey ruins.

[@mavisdavies9769]

Just in case anyone else heard the music from this and it reminded them of a song that isn’t the song from this video but you still have to go searching through KZbin videos to find the one it reminds you of, I’ll save you 45 minutes it’s karma fields - Edge of the world. I’m sure this will help so many people 😂

[@jennythescouser]

I know that the Romans often used temporary bridges made using pontoons. I believe London Bridge started out un such a way and was gradually replaced by concrete piers and so on. If you look at drawings of the old London Bridge with buildings on top, you'll see the 'stone pontoons' below.

[@SharpblueCreative]

I love Paul doing his impression of Michael Portillo digging out his Bradshaw’s. Very good video guys.

[@phillwainewright4221]

Dang! I thought this was going to be about the Dorchester about 20 miles from me ... But the 'Thames' reference gave it away!

[@Ulfcytel]

Quite intrigued by the straight section of parish boundary (along with a bit of footpath) which heads in the opposite direction from Margary's suggested crossing point on the same alignment as the "Roman Road", past Warborough and up to Town Hill. Be interesting to know how old that was. Great videos, as always.

[@barryconway]

Interesting stuff. Often wondered where the traditional (and many?) river crossings that gave rise to Oxenforde were, but as you rightly note, silting and erosion changes so much, so readily and so frequently when it comes to rivers, especially through the gravel floodplains of which a great deal of this area is comprised. Lots of ‘earthworks’ and history at Dorchester, so I imagine you’ll be back - henges and cursus remains reported too, in the areas where Benson airfield now is, and the airfield at Berinsfield was. A very rich area for the inquisitive researcher. Quite a bit on the possible Roman ways through Oxfordshire here*, which summary also surmises that these ‘ways’ were likely the paving of or simple adoption of pre-existing routes. One last observation: at many places throughout Oxfordshire, the Thames (or Isis!) is today quite shallow for much of its width, and often gravelly, with just a relatively narrow, deeper channel near one bank. It would be easy to imagine, then, a short, primitive bridge across the deep section,with the rest of the crossing eminently ‘Ford-able’. Fwiw, with a lifetime in the area, I’m not aware of any currently visible road remains along that whole stretch from Alchester (Bicester) - Otmoor - Beckley - Headington - Cowley and etc to Dorchester (and thence South). Plenty of ‘villas/farms’ though! Maaw please! * w’s british-history ac uk/vch/oxon/vol1/pp271-281 (can’t add comment links,who knew?)

[@philiptownsend4026]

I did manage to get a www link to stick recently in KZbin comments, thought I'd give it a try and it worked. KZbin are very jealous of loosing audience that way even if all people are trying to do is be helpful and friendly. It is called community spirit but KZbin stamps on it. Must be like walking a tightrope to be a publishing KZbinr.😫

[@phil.cowling]

Paul, I think you should write a book on your walks, along with the fascinating history behind them.

[@ioeffgwincein]

Great video as always - was the river following the same path 2000 years ago as it is now? Given the flatness of the location, it could have moved, or the river become narrower (or wider) so any earthworks could be long gone.

[@davie941]

lmao that start , hello again Paul and Rebecca , that was very entertaining , really well done and thank you both 😊

[@rhonataylor85]

Love your videos, P and R!

[@MickCampin-jp9kb]

We have an old crossing over the River Wear at South Hylton made out of stone slabs not sure if it's Roman or more Medieval. There was also a rope hauled ferry at the same point a bit like the ferry in the film A Knights Tale. Yes I know the film isn't anywhere near historically accurate but the relics found include post holes.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Interesting explore. Very informative by yourselves. Great filming and drone work. Thank you

[@Davidm1fcf]

another "Ferry" nice video! ;-) loving the way you get into the details and the research you do.

[@artistjoh]

It should not be forgotten that London was founded where it was because it was the point closest to the sea where the Romans could build a bridge while still being suitable for unloading/loading cargo on and off ships. This bridge plus port had military significance but also created the trading economy that supported the growth of industry, and therefore the log term growth of the city. The bridge was key to the city becoming more than just a military port, but the military value of a bridge facilitated investing the large amount of money needed to build the bridge at that place.

[@russellb1212]

Always enjoyable, full of information and details, really good video

[@highpath4776]

Dorchester-On-Thames always catches me out thinking of the Dorset one. And I lived near there too (cycled around it once from Oxford.)

[@matt6477]

Thank you. Another great video. Thanks

[@kmhtaylor]

Love it, mate!

[@jamesdavis332]

I was cycling along here just this morning and was pondering where the roman road would have really been. Then you post this :)

[@pwhitewick]

Perfect timing.

[@davidf2281]

These videos are fun, thanks both.

[@Cheers_Warren]

What fun to investigate these old road. I think you are missing the point that the river was much wider and shallower that it is now. The Thames in London , when it used to regularly freeze was well over a mile wide and slow moving by comparison to the controlled ditch it is now. Same further up stream. The east coast rivers that used to have small sailing ships go many miles inland on the high tides you can see evidence of the old high tide marks. The efforts of the imported Dutch dike builders completely changed all that . The same will have happened to the Thames river. You need to try and figure out the width of the river and looking at google earth of the area you were exploring you can see there was a large water meadow to the west of Dorchester and long wittenham. This would have made crossing the river much easier in times of low water. Cheers warren

[@johncrwarner]

Did you play Poohsticks? Day's Lock near Dorchester is the site of the World Championship.

[@pwhitewick]

Actually???

[@Mortimer50145]

@@pwhitewick Yes. In days gone by, the lock-keeper at Day's Lock set up a Pooh Sticks competition, and the tradition has lasted through several changes of lock-keeper. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poohsticks

[@JL-uq6dq]

​@@pwhitewickit moved to Sandford this year for safety reasons, days lock is difficult to get ambulances to.

[@mart7621]

Great as always.

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Fantastic video thanks guys. Lovely area, so lovely and green. Thanks,for taking me along. Please take care

[@pwhitewick]

Our pleasure!

[@Jimyjames73]

Glad that your back on Sundays - Something to look forward to!!! 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@philiptownsend4026]

Interesting, entertaining, well produced slick video. Lots of nice touched here and there eg the bumble bee.

[@pwhitewick]

Many thanks!

[@RogerThat2021]

Nice job guys

[@laurendamasoruiz]

Fab little walk. I’ve followed the road (as much as possible) from Dorchester up to Oxford and it’s very enjoyable. There’s something about physically connecting with your nations history that can’t be beat

[@michaelmiller641]

Great video

[@matthewquartermain8291]

Live about 5 miles from Dorchester. Lovely place that I regularly cycle through and walk a few miles around wittenham clumps.

[@philiptownsend4026]

I've decided that I enjoy your Roman explorations/investigations the best. I imagine there is potential to continue for at least a whole lifetime. KZbin is a great outlet for the quirky and different, so much better than TV or the wireless.

[@pwhitewick]

More to come!

[@DavidPowell-qt4yq]

Sir, an excellent series. Well done.

[@neilfranklin5644]

Fascinating

[@mauricewatts2380]

Never mind you didn't find any roman roads . It's a lovely area to go for away walk. In our boating days we would moor where the map showed roman ferry crossing. Who knew.

[@glbaker5595]

I wonder how they get access to the lidar information, I would like to find out and use it in my area,

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

I was thinking the same thing. 🛰

[@uberdayo]

awesome, theres a really cool bridge at peircebridge, where the roman bridge caused the river to move, causing one of the peirs to be ground locked, and preserved well, it was the main road from the harians wall, to york. apparently

[@LulaJake]

You could make a similar video for the Goring Gap which is a supposed Roman Thames crossing.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Greetings from Australia. Great video , as always.

[@cliffordwells2793]

The Roman road is supposed to go through the mackney end of brightwell, at the house by the farm. Local legend says it follows down from one of the foot paths.. Also a small roman shrine was at the clumps also. As coins have been found there.

[@JL-uq6dq]

Mackney lane is marked by OS as roman road, but the video states why you need to be creful about taking this as gospel.

[@Paul-md8de]

Roman pottery has been found at Mackney as well

[@nikbeard3636]

Great video as usual - many thanks :). Could you let me know which tool/website you use for your LIDAR images please?

[@cliffordwells2793]

Did you walk the other roman road.....green lane warborough? It goes through a field possibly crossing the thame river? Stone blocks are still in place.

[@JL-uq6dq]

A fantastic video and I got incredibly nostalgic as you walked through the countryside of my childhood. Apart from the new @earthtrust signs its unchanged since I was running around nearly 40 years ago!

[@AlisonFort]

The Roman causeway/ford at Goring & Streatley is quite interesting

[@a11oge]

I have walked around this area many many times in the past 30 years, and had never considered the Romans wanting to cross it, so well done you two. There is so much history to find in this small area of Oxfordshire. Wiki has quite a few related pages. Regarding the crossing point. Is there any evidence north of the Thames, between the river and Dorchester.

[@crazycressy7986]

If you look at the 1880s map there is a footpath from the North and on the opposite side of the river is another footpath in the same line to the south, could be the original crossing

[@tweedyoutdoors]

I was here just a few days before you were and made a (much more amateur) video around the same area. It's an area that felt very rich in history!

[@MrGreatplum]

Some interesting factoids about Roman crossings in this one. I wonder if the romans relied a lot on ferries as these were common right through medieval times. Bridging was hard, when for Roman engineers especially if the traffic was light.

[@MrAtsyhere]

A family tree antiquarian pointed to Dorchester-on-Thames as the origins of my surname. It sent chills down my spine to see your map showing Saxon copper artifacts there. Although my ancestors migration to the Americas began exactly 400 years ago , and it consumes my interests unraveling the paths they took throughout history. The Saxons settled near where their ships had no problem crossing a river for those on foot. Dorchester was already ancient and the Iron Age fort far more ancient than that. It was an ideal place to plant a seed that would become in time England.

[@reddevil310]

Thanks guys ,I enjoy The Roman stuff .

[@pwhitewick]

Me too!!

[@joystickmusic]

I noticed Rebecca taking pictures of plants in a previous video, so I'm looking forward to her blog or insta with macro photos.

[@cliffordwells2793]

Having thought about it...the Romans could have put a rope and raft system in at any point, as the final goal was to reach a road.

[@pwhitewick]

Yup

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

Nice one Folks! Btw Paul, over here in Australia 28/29degrees C is just a nice day! Now when we get up to 40degrees C in summer that's a little on the warm side!

[@mikebirkett010]

Living in Dorset, I could never get my head around 'Dorchester on Thames'😊. There is a similar river crossing on the Avon between Ringwood and Christchurch. It seemingly joins the Avon Castle estate to the other side at the end of a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT). Maybe that's what they used to cross the river.

[@lindsayheyes925]

Ooh! Are you going to cover this year's discoveries about the Roman bridge over the Wye near Tutshill (above Chepstow)?

[@thomasvnl]

For anyone: Ford: a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

My daughter who is a bird photographer has an app that identifies birds by their birdsong/calls -- cool!

[@gobears6487]

Merlin maybe? That's what I use and it's fabulous...

[@JimBagby74]

I absolutely love the Roman stuff, y'all. Even though I'd be taking the Michael Palin view had I lived back then.....

[@robertdonaldson6584]

I am fiddling "Swinging on a Gate" on my violin.....

[@timeflysintheshop]

There are a good number of Roman bridges still standing today, but they are surely in places with a stable, rocky shore that has not moved much since.

[@TIMMEH19991]

A good few years ago before we had the likes of Lidar and historic online maps I tried to follow the route of an ancient salt road from Alton to Ashbourne, particularly where it crossed the river Churnet. Although we thought we had found the route, where it crossed the river there was absolutely no sign at all of any bridge remnants. I feel like going again now because with Lidar and google maps you can pinpoint the exact spot instead of somewhat guesswork. On the very earliest OS maps of the area, the canal in the area that closed in 1849 is open and the salt road is still all there complete with a bridge over the canal and the bridge over the Churnet is even named as Salters Bridge. The next edition when the Canal was closed and a Railway had been built on its course there is no sign of it at all. Both bridges completely gone. I've a feeling it was obliterated when the railway was built? I just don't know.

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Bridge, ferry, or ford? I think it's a good idea of your's to look for evidence of a Roman road some distance away on either side. If found, it might help locate the position of the Thames crossing. Maybe on a cooler day..? Interesting problem to explore. Thank you.

[@frankparsons1629]

Morning Paul & Rebecca. Most interesting parallel banks, another Offa's Dyke (in the "wrong" place!!) but leading to the river at right angles. However, looking at the map it cuts off the land delineated by the stream to the east and the bend of the main river to the west and south. There is a very wide area between the pair of vallums, it seems to mark out that area that you are not permitted to cross. Very very curious.

[@CharlesCollins]

Interesting as ever. What app did Rebecca use for identifying plants?

[@graybeard101]

its just a thought but to me the wood looked like regrowth is it on earlier maps? if not it could well have been under the plough long enough to remove any evidence then planted or allowed to return to woodland more recently.

[@JL-uq6dq]

the wood is much larger since Earth trust took over, but I think that bit has been there a long time.

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Great insight into Roman routes - could I ask that you carry a small can of oil for those terrible squeaky gates! 😂😂😎😎

[@fighne]

in the winter the dykes flood, and in some winters the water freezes and as kids we used it a a skating rink.

[@dlevi67]

Hah - I know that ford (at 0:14) - Drayton St Leonard. You guys did a fair bit of exploration around my neck of the woods, this time!

[@martin-mi3cg]

Eddie the Eagle you haven't aged at all in the last 35 years ! And I love your videos ✌

[@pwhitewick]

Fair

[@andrewpreston4127]

Cracking photo of that bumble bee....

[@bobdouglas262]

Paul, respect your book and get a protective Mylar cover for the dust jacket.

[@zcam1969]

Rebecca is clueless ,don't know how she finds her way back to civilization .quite honestly 🥰😜 i love you guys keep up the good work

[@frankparsons1629]

Some ten years back when on the south coast near Chichester, at Bosham, got to chatting with an old feller (a local) and having wandered into the churchyard he pointed over the (low) flint wall at the north side of the yard. He told me when he was a boy there were "Roman barns" in that field! In Dr. Wm Stukeley''s day everything that was old was "Roman" because they knew little of what came before the Romans. "Roman" is therefore the word that described anything "old" and that carried on into our times by country folk. So that ferry was probably extant in Anglo-Saxon times and in medieval times would have been described as "Roman". The usage of the ferry may have carried on from Roman days however IF the lanes giving access to the ferry were in use in Roman times. If the lanes were of Saxon origin thats another matter, but lets drive on with your video to see what you have discovered.

[@derekp2674]

Exactly the same use of "Roman" seems to have happened in mid-Wales when Victorians referred to ancient metal mine workings.

[@DS-xg9kf]

Google image search camera function is equally, if not better than those plant apps. And it doesn’t do its best to extract money from you.

[@vincebagusauskas278]

29 degreas is hot! Come to Australia in mid summer

[@pwhitewick]

No thanks... you have creeypy crawleey things

[@vincebagusauskas278]

@@pwhitewick lol

[@matwillis3169]

Great video folks, but I can only shake my head every time I see you both striding along on a pounding hot day and not a hat in site! As an Aussie who endures months of harsh sun each year, do yourself a favour and get a stylish number on your nonce!

[@eze8970]

TY 🙏🙏 Interesting video. Hope you found somewhere good to rest your feet for a while after all that walking in the sun!

[@lorenwilson8128]

While the weather there is hot for you, it likely won't get below 25°C for a few months here. Currently 37°C (99°F) here. Very interesting video though.

[@QALibrary]

Paul and Rebecca, have you got the phone(s) with LIDAR in them if so have you used them while out on your investigations?

[@Richardincancale]

Quickie question where do you get the LiDAR images from please?

[@frankjoseph4273]

We had a two term ferry president

[@Sim0nTrains]

Great video, shame there was nothing to state that there was a Roman Ferry Crossing

[@davidking9707]

Not far from where I live. A lovely part of the world.

[@rogerc7960]

Romans often built bridges at the point of the river, ie. the 45° angle turn.

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

On a general note I wouldn't immediately agree that likely nothing of a (the) Roman bridge would remain in the river. In other rivers underwater archaeologists have found exactly those remains, be it wooden posts planted at regular intervals, stone blocks from the bridge or heavy concrete foundations. Though I wouldn't expect you to don a diving suit and investigate for yourself! 🏊

[@notmozart1]

Paul, If it's that hot - get some shorts on!! great vid a usual!

[@pwhitewick]

That was indeed an error

[@Lux__Veritatis]

I work as a LiDAR analyst and I'm a bit confused as to what you're looking at in the DEM there. Do you know what the coloring represents? Hillshade? Cardinal direction of the slope? The blown out colors make it difficult to see some things, but I do see what looks like it could be a risen road there, but it's hard to tell because I don't exactly know what the map is displaying. Do you have any information on where I could look at the raw data or something?