What is the Fosse Way?

The Fosse Way is a Roman road that runs 293 miles (472 km) from Exeter in Devon in the southwest to Lincoln in the northeast of England, slicing through Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds on its way. It was built in the first and second centuries AD and is one of the longest surviving Roman roads in Britain.

The name 'Fosse' is believed to derive from the Latin word 'fossa', meaning 'ditch'. This is because the road was originally built on top of a defensive ditch that was dug along the western border of Roman-controlled England. The ditch was filled in over time, but the road remained.

The Fosse Way was an important strategic route for the Romans. It linked important military and commercial centers, such as Exeter, Bath, Cirencester, Leicester, and Lincoln. The road was also used by traders and travelers, and it helped to facilitate the spread of Roman culture and influence throughout Britain.