Roman Roads of Wales

Wales, with its dramatic landscapes and rich history, holds a treasure trove of ancient marvels, but few are as enduring as the Roman roads that crisscross the country. These ancient routes, built by the Romans during their occupation of Britain from 43 to 410 AD, were more than just roads. They were the veins that pumped life into the empire, facilitating trade, communication, military movement, and the spread of Roman culture. Today, remnants of these Roman roads still trace their way across the Welsh countryside, offering modern travelers a glimpse into the past.

The Role of Roman Roads in Wales

When the Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD, they quickly set about building a network of roads to establish control over the territory. These roads were vital for the movement of troops, especially during military campaigns in the hostile and often mountainous terrain of Wales. The Romans were masters of engineering, and their roads were designed to be straight, durable, and efficient. They didn’t just pave roads—they transformed travel and communication across the empire.

Wales, with its rugged terrain and mountainous regions, posed a particular challenge for Roman engineers. However, the Roman roads that crisscross the country were carefully designed to traverse these obstacles. Many of the roads in Wales served as key routes for the movement of the Roman legions, facilitating the conquest of the more rebellious parts of the region.

The Construction of Roman Roads

Roman roads in Britain were typically built in several layers to ensure durability and stability:

1. The Foundation: The bottom layer, made from large stones or gravel, was laid directly onto the natural ground. This provided a solid base for the road.
2. The Roadbed: Above the foundation, a layer of smaller stones was packed tightly together to create a flat, solid surface.
3. The Surface: The top layer was made from crushed stone or gravel, which was compacted to form a smooth, durable surface for travel.

Some of the roads were even cambered (sloped), which helped with drainage, ensuring they remained passable even during the wet British winters.

Famous Roman Roads in Wales

While many of the roads have long since been lost to time, others remain a testament to Roman engineering, still forming the backbone of modern roads. Here are a few of the most famous Roman roads in Wales:

Sarn Helen (Margary Number: 622)

Sarn Helen is the most extensive and well-known Roman road in Wales, stretching from Carmarthen (Moridunum) in the south to Caernarfon (Segontium) in the north, with multiple branches and extensions. Designated Margary 622, it served as a strategic military highway through the heart of Wales, connecting a chain of Roman forts such as Luentinum (Dolaucothi), Llanio, Tomen y Mur, and Canovium. Sarn Helen runs through challenging terrain—including mountains, valleys, and river crossings—demonstrating the engineering skill of the Roman army. Today, segments of it remain visible as farm tracks, bridleways, and walking routes, especially in mid-Wales and Snowdonia. It was a vital artery for controlling central Wales and maintaining Roman presence in this difficult and often resistant region.

Via Julia Maritima (Margary Number: 60c)

The Via Julia Maritima was a significant coastal Roman road in southern Wales, believed to run from Venta Silurum (Caerwent) through Caerleon, Cardiff, Neath, and ending at Moridunum (Carmarthen). Margary classified the road as a branch of Road 60, which included east-west arterial routes across southern Britain. Used for troop movement, trade, and maritime access, much of Via Julia Maritima lies beneath or alongside the modern A48, with Roman towns and forts like Cowbridge (Bovium) and Loughor (Leucarum) marking its course.

Ffordd Caerleon (Margary Number: 60b)

Ffordd Caerleon refers to the Roman route connecting Isca Augusta (Caerleon) to Cardiff and surrounding settlements. Part of Margary Route 60b, it served both military and civilian traffic, connecting a major legionary fortress to smaller coastal sites. The road likely follows the alignment of today’s B4596 and A48, and archaeological finds, including Roman pottery and paving, suggest continued use well into the post-Roman period. It formed part of the larger Roman infrastructure that helped consolidate control over south-east Wales.

Sarn Swsog (Margary Number: 62b)

Sarn Swsog was a Roman road linking forts and settlements in south-east Wales, notably connecting Gelligaer Fort with Caerleon (Isca Augusta). Functioning as a military supply route through the South Wales Valleys, it provided a strategic corridor into the uplands of Glamorgan. Though its Roman construction has been partially overbuilt by modern roads and settlements, stretches of the route still align with modern paths and lanes. Margary listed it as a branch of the main south Wales routes, essential for internal regional movement.

Sarn-y-Bwlch (Margary Number: 622a)

Sarn-y-Bwlch was a high-level Roman military route running across the Cambrian Mountains in mid-Wales, acting as a crucial east–west connector between the forts at Pennal and Cae Gaer near Llangurig. As a branch of Ffordd Fleming (622), this road crossed rugged, remote terrain, likely used by Roman patrols to control the interior uplands. Though faint today, parts of it are traceable as hollow ways or grassy embankments, with scenic walking routes offering glimpses into this forgotten frontier path.

Ffordd Fleming (Margary Number: 622b)

Ffordd Fleming—also referred to as Via Flandrica—is a lesser-known Roman or Romano-British route in south-west Wales, believed to have run from the gold mining site at Luentinum (Dolaucothi) to the St Davids peninsula. Assigned Margary 622b as a branch of Sarn Helen (622), the road traverses the Preseli Hills and follows high ridges and parish boundaries, suggesting Roman strategic intent in its layout. Though heavily eroded and not consistently paved, stretches of raised trackway and coin finds support the theory of Roman usage or enhancement. Later folklore attributes the route to Flemish settlers in the 12th century, which gave rise to its modern Welsh name, Ffordd Fleming. Its remote path offers a fascinating glimpse into the interaction between Roman engineering and native Welsh landscapes.

Via Devana

The Via Devana, the Roman road running from Chester (Deva Victrix) to Holyhead, was the principal artery into North Wales, designed to project military control and maintain supply lines to the forts scattered across the region. Beginning at the legionary fortress of Chester, it followed the north coast through the Vale of Clwyd and along the Conwy estuary, linking key garrisons such as those at St Asaph, Conwy, and ultimately Segontium (Caernarfon), the commanding fort that oversaw access to Anglesey. From Caernarfon the route stretched westward toward ferry crossings of the Menai Strait, enabling rapid deployment onto Anglesey (Mona), the stronghold of the druids and a vital strategic target for the Romans. More than just a military road, the Via Devana established the backbone of communication across northern Wales, with parts of its line later absorbed into medieval and even modern transport routes.

Hen Ffordd

Hen Ffordd (Welsh for “Old Road”) is an ancient east–west trackway running through the Welsh Marches, traced from Greensforge through Craven Arms and onward toward Forden Gaer (Levobrinta). It crosses Watling Street West near Craven Arms, passing close to several Iron Age hillforts including Norton Camp, Wart Hill, and Billing’s Ring. Although much of its route predates the Roman period, some scholars (e.g. A. W. J. Houghton, as cited in Graham Webster’s The Cornovii) suggest that Romans used—or perhaps improved—Hen Ffordd as a strategic route through the central Welsh Marches, linking up with known forts and other Roman roads.

Roman Roads and Their Legacy in Modern Wales

The legacy of Roman roads is still very much present in Wales today. Many modern roads follow the same routes that the Romans originally laid down over 1,500 years ago. The straightness and durability of the Roman roads made them ideal for modern infrastructure, and in many areas, modern A-roads and B-roads trace the paths first established by the Romans.

For example, parts of Sarn Helen are still used today as roads through the Welsh countryside. The Roman road system has also influenced the development of towns and villages, as settlements often grew up along these ancient routes, just as they did during the Roman period.

Moreover, the study of these roads continues to be an important area of archaeological research. New discoveries of Roman road remnants, especially in more remote areas, provide valuable insights into the ways in which the Romans managed to integrate and control the challenging landscapes of Wales.

Walking in the Footsteps of the Romans

For history enthusiasts and hikers, following the ancient Roman roads of Wales offers a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the past. Some parts of these roads are still accessible as walking routes or scenic byways, allowing visitors to explore the rugged beauty of Wales while contemplating the historical significance of the roads beneath their feet.

The roads are often surrounded by stunning scenery, from the dramatic hills of the Brecon Beacons to the coastal paths near Carmarthen. The route along Sarn Helen, for example, offers panoramic views of the Welsh countryside, making it an ideal destination for those who appreciate both history and nature.

Conclusion

The Roman roads of Wales represent a remarkable feat of engineering and a lasting legacy of Roman occupation. These roads, constructed with precision and designed for both military and civilian use, are still very much a part of the landscape of Wales today. From the dramatic mountain passes of Sarn Helen to the coastal routes of the Via Julia Maritima, these ancient pathways continue to tell the story of Roman ingenuity and their impact on Wales and Britain as a whole.

Whether you’re a history buff, a keen hiker, or simply someone who enjoys a walk through the past, the Roman roads of Wales offer a fascinating and scenic journey through time. So next time you hit the road in Wales, take a moment to reflect on the ancient empire that paved the way before you.