Watling Street

Heritage Site in Hertfordshire St. Albans

England

Watling Street

Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury Credit: David Howard

Watling Street is a historic road located in Hertfordshire, England. It is a significant heritage site that dates back to Roman times. This ancient road was originally constructed by the Romans in the 1st century AD as part of their extensive network of highways across Britain.

Watling Street stretches for approximately 200 miles, starting from London and running through Hertfordshire and several other counties before reaching its final destination in Chester. In Hertfordshire, the road passes through various towns and villages, including St Albans, Baldock, and Dunstable.

Throughout history, Watling Street has played a crucial role in trade and transportation. It was an important route for the Romans to transport goods, troops, and information across the country. Over the centuries, the road continued to be used by travelers, including pilgrims, merchants, and armies.

Today, Watling Street remains an essential part of Hertfordshire's cultural and historical fabric. Many sections of the road have been preserved and can still be walked or driven on. The route offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, with traces of Roman engineering, including some original paving stones and ditches, still visible in certain areas.

As a heritage site, Watling Street attracts visitors from around the world who are interested in exploring its historical significance. The road provides a unique opportunity to experience the ancient Roman legacy firsthand and appreciate the role it played in shaping the region's history and development.

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Watling Street Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.782/-0.383 or Grid Reference TL1110. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Grass and field by Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Grass and field by Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Field by Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Field by Punch Bowl Lane, Redbournbury
Bridge over Redbourn High Street The disused railway bridge crossing Redbourn High Street, once the A5.  The single line ran from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead and was built by the Midland Railway.  Passenger services ceased in 1947, but the full length of the line was not closed and removed until 1982.  Nowadays a large part of the line is used as a cycleway and footpath, known as the 'Nickey Line'.
Bridge over Redbourn High Street
The disused railway bridge crossing Redbourn High Street, once the A5. The single line ran from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead and was built by the Midland Railway. Passenger services ceased in 1947, but the full length of the line was not closed and removed until 1982. Nowadays a large part of the line is used as a cycleway and footpath, known as the 'Nickey Line'.
The Rood Screen in St Mary's Church, Redbourn The church dates from 1100, and the Rood Screen from 1478, funded by the Vicar, William Devyle, who left 20 shillings to 'the work of the Holy Rood'.
The Rood Screen in St Mary's Church, Redbourn
The church dates from 1100, and the Rood Screen from 1478, funded by the Vicar, William Devyle, who left 20 shillings to 'the work of the Holy Rood'.
St Mary's Church, Redbourn The church dates from 1100, and in 1140 a Norman arcade of three bays and north aisle were added. The south arcade and aisle was added in 1350.
St Mary's Church, Redbourn
The church dates from 1100, and in 1140 a Norman arcade of three bays and north aisle were added. The south arcade and aisle was added in 1350.
St Mary's Parish Church, Redbourn
St Mary's Parish Church, Redbourn
St. Mary: the parish church of Redbourn This church mainly dates from the Norman period and had additional work carried out in the 14th and 15th century.
St. Mary: the parish church of Redbourn
This church mainly dates from the Norman period and had additional work carried out in the 14th and 15th century.
Site of Beaumont's Halt SW view, towards Hemel Hempstead, with relatively new M1 Motorway in background. This was the ex-Midland branch from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead, closed to passengers 16/6/47, to goods 1/7/63.
Site of Beaumont's Halt
SW view, towards Hemel Hempstead, with relatively new M1 Motorway in background. This was the ex-Midland branch from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead, closed to passengers 16/6/47, to goods 1/7/63.
M1 motorway sign gantry From the stationary north bound carriageway.
M1 motorway sign gantry
From the stationary north bound carriageway.
Nickey Line Nickey Line nearing the M1 underpass
Nickey Line
Nickey Line nearing the M1 underpass
Redbournbury Mill
Redbournbury Mill
Redbourn Village This village green is huge
Redbourn Village
This village green is huge
Beaumont Hall Farm Farm buildings painted black and with the sun behind them
Beaumont Hall Farm
Farm buildings painted black and with the sun behind them
House at Gate to Dane End Farm Gates operated by digital locks. Sun at the wrong time.
House at Gate to Dane End Farm
Gates operated by digital locks. Sun at the wrong time.
New Housing called The Park, Redbourn The design is simple without bits planted on.
New Housing called The Park, Redbourn
The design is simple without bits planted on.
Old Railway line now Cycle path  Redbourn Designated as part of the National Cycle network one hopes that cyclists will respect pedestrians as well.
Old Railway line now Cycle path Redbourn
Designated as part of the National Cycle network one hopes that cyclists will respect pedestrians as well.
A traveller's campsite at Redbourn The site is well hidden from the highway but road surfaces seems excessive.Extra  plots would have been more useful
A traveller's campsite at Redbourn
The site is well hidden from the highway but road surfaces seems excessive.Extra plots would have been more useful
Show me another place!

Watling Street is located at Grid Ref: TL1110 (Lat: 51.782, Lng: -0.383)

Administrative County: Hertfordshire

District: St. Albans

Police Authority: Hertfordshire

What 3 Words

///take.dawn.sang. Near Redbourn, Hertfordshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.782,-0.383
Barrier: kissing_gate
Foot: yes
Source: GPS, observation
Lat/Long: 51.7851395/-0.3801334
Ele NPE: 318 ft
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 51.7839482/-0.3840752
Bus Stop
Redbournbury Lane
Naptan AtcoCode: 210021502660
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Redbournbury Lane
Naptan Crossing: Redbournbury Lane
Naptan Indicator: adj
Naptan Landmark: Redbournbury Lane
Naptan NaptanCode: hrtawtwa
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: HRPNDN;STALBCY
Naptan ShortCommonName: NA
Naptan Street: Redbourn Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.7823253/-0.3827278
Bus Stop
Punch Bowl Lane
Naptan AtcoCode: 210021502680
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Punch Bowl Lane
Naptan Crossing: Fudge Nightclub
Naptan Indicator: opp
Naptan Landmark: Fudge Nightclub
Naptan NaptanCode: hrtawtwd
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: STALBCY
Naptan ShortCommonName: NA
Naptan Street: Redbourn Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.7796107/-0.3808388
Bus Stop
Punch Bowl Lane
Naptan AtcoCode: 210021509040
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Punch Bowl Lane
Naptan Crossing: opp Fudge Nightclub
Naptan Indicator: adj
Naptan Landmark: opp Fudge Nightclub
Naptan NaptanCode: hrtatpwj
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: STALBCY
Naptan ShortCommonName: NA
Naptan Street: Redbourn Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.7789418/-0.3805873
Bus Stop
Redbournbury Lane
Naptan AtcoCode: 210021509060
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Redbournbury Lane
Naptan Crossing: opp Redbournbury Lane
Naptan Indicator: opp
Naptan Landmark: opp Redbournbury Lane
Naptan NaptanCode: hrtatpwm
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: HRPNDN;STALBCY
Naptan ShortCommonName: NA
Naptan Street: Redbourn Road
Naptan Verified: no
Public Transport: platform
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 51.7826283/-0.3831809
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 51.7843672/-0.3788929
Barrier: kissing_gate
Foot: yes
Source: GPS, observation
Lat/Long: 51.7850625/-0.3801388
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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