Ermine Street was the Saxon name of a road in England that ran from London to Lincoln and York. It was named for a group called the Earningas, who inhabited an area that is now in Cambridgeshire. It is now sometimes called the Old North Road. It followed the route of an earlier, longer Roman road, begun in 43 AD, that ran from Chichester to York.

The section of Ermine Street from London to Royston, Hertfordshire is now part of the A10. At this point it crosses the Icknield Way. From Royston to Huntingdon its route is now the A1198 road. The section from Huntingdon to Colsterworth is now part of the A1.

Further up what is now the A1, another section of Ermine Street runs from the Ancaster turnoff, through Ancaster to the A17. Further bits can be seen on maps in a straight line towards Lincoln, for example a long section runs parallel and to the east of the A607 between Leadenham and Navenby. Another large section also remains, now the A15, running north out of Lincoln, past Scampton, Caenby Corner, and all the way to the M18. This may possibly be the longest single section of straight road in England.

See also

• Roman Britain
• Roman roads in Britain

External Links

• http://www.magicjon.fsnet.co.uk/ermine.htm
• Map of Roman roads in Britain (http://www.romans-in-britain.org.uk/map_romans_roads_in_britain.htm) - Very large map; opens in separate window.

References

I. D. Margary, Roman Roads in Britain (3rd ed. 1973)

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Ermine Street was also the name of a road from Silchester to Gloucester.