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HER Number:MDV135879
Name:Roman road between Stony Lane and Woodbury Fort, Axminster

Summary

From Stony Lane, the Fosse Way is suggested to have continued south to Woodbury Fort. The almost direct route is today followed by field boundaries and trackways. Its position to the north of Woodbury Lane is probably marked by an infilled holloway which is aligned almost directly on the probable site of the fort's northern gateway.

Location

Grid Reference:SY 299 979
Map Sheet:SY29NE
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishAxminster
DistrictEast Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishAXMINSTER

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • ROAD? (Roman - 43 AD (Between) to 409 AD (Between))

Full description

Weddell, P. J. + Reed, S. J. + Simpson, S. J., 1993, Excavation of the Exeter-Dorchester Roman Road at the River Yarty and the Roman Fort Ditch and Settlement Site at Woodbury, Near Axminster., 81, 86 (Article in Serial). SDV99887.

The course of the Fosse Way to the north of Axminster appears to be followed by by A358. It is not aligned on the town but reflects the Roman alignment towards the fort at Woodbury. The southern section of the A358, Stony Lane, terminates at Lyme Road to the east of Axminster, but the alignment clearly continues southwards in the form of field boundaries and footpaths. At Foxhill there is a slight change in alignment, marked by an infilled hollow way, aligned almost directly onto the centre of the northern circuit of the fort's ditches.

Exeter Archaeology, 2002, Archaeological Assessment of Proposed Development at Land off Woodbury Lane, Axminster, Site 6. Figs 2-3. (Report - Assessment). SDV99325.

Possible line of the Roman Fosse Way to the south of Axminster following field boundaries and footpaths. To the north of Woodbury Lane its position is marked by an infilled hollow way, circa 15 metres wide, aligned almost directly onto the centre of the northern circuit of the Roman fort’s ditches. The line to the south of the fort remains unproven.

Ordnance Survey, 2026, Mastermap 2026 (Cartographic). SDV366713.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV366713Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2026. Mastermap 2026. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital. [Mapped feature: #145340 ]
SDV99325Report - Assessment: Exeter Archaeology. 2002. Archaeological Assessment of Proposed Development at Land off Woodbury Lane, Axminster. Exeter Archaeology Report. 02.79. A4 Stapled + Digital. Site 6. Figs 2-3..
SDV99887Article in Serial: Weddell, P. J. + Reed, S. J. + Simpson, S. J.. 1993. Excavation of the Exeter-Dorchester Roman Road at the River Yarty and the Roman Fort Ditch and Settlement Site at Woodbury, Near Axminster.. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 51. Paperback Volume. 81, 86.

Associated Monuments

MDV135880Part of: The Fosse Way in Devon (Monument)
MDV42538Related to: Roman Road at Woodbury Fort, Axminster (Monument)
MDV70545Related to: Roman Road north of Woodbury Farm, Axminster (Monument)
MDV24804Related to: Stony Lane, Axminster (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded


Date Last Edited:Feb 4 2026 1:18PM