Devil's Highway - Roman Britain

The Devil's Highway was a Roman road built during the winter of AD 47-48, connecting Londinium (London) to Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester) via Pontes (Staines). Measuring 7.5-8.7 metres wide and paved with gravel, the road was repaired at least twice before Boudica's revolt in AD 60-61. At Silchester it branched into three western routes: the Port Way to Old Sarum, Ermin Way to Gloucester, and the road to Bath. Its name derives from later ignorance of its Roman origins. The road survives best through Berkshire's forest plantations, particularly in Swinley Forest, where its course and drainage ditches remain visible.