NHER 53347 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Line of probable Roman road running through Stoke Hall Park

March 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The parchmarks and cropmarks of a probable Roman road are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4) running through Stoke Park up to the northeast and towards another Roman road running from Caistor Roman town to Brooke (NHER 52298) and to the south Stoke Holy Cross Roman villa (NHER 9732). The road, which is centred on TG 2449 0110, runs from TG 2389 0041 to TG 2512 0184. A large proportion of this route is depicted on historic maps, such as the 1847 Stoke Holy Cross Tithe (S5) and was initially interpreted as representing a medieval to post medieval route and boundary, however the identification of it continuing as a parchmark in arable fields to the west of Blackford Hall (S4) and cutting across components of the post medieval layout would tend to suggest that this is a much earlier feature. Given the fact that it appears to run towards another Roman road (NHER 52298) it seems likely that this represents a Roman road that gets incorporated into post medieval park landscape (NHER 14240). A possible minor branch road, possibly associated with the Stoke Holy Cross villas to the north (NHER 9732 & 43199) may lead off from the main road to the west.
S. Horlock (NMP), 23 March 2009.