Beckenham’s ancient Roman road and its surviving traces

Beckenham’s Roman Road History

Beckenham is often seen as a leafy suburb shaped by railways, parks, and grand 18th-century houses. However, a Roman road once connected London to the south coast and beyond.

Rod Reed, a former Cambridge history student, ex-local councillor, and professional landscape gardener for over 40 years, spoke to News Shopper about Beckenham’s Roman past. He has worked with archaeologists, monitored local finds, and connected residents with mudlarkers and councils when discoveries are made.

Much of the Roman road is hidden beneath grass, modern streets, and playing fields today. However, some parts still survive, and its influence can be traced through Beckenham Place Park and the surrounding area.

Details of the Roman Road

This Roman road, known as the London to Lewes Way, was part of a vital imperial network used by soldiers, traders, officials, and messengers nearly 2,000 years ago. It ran from Roman London, passing through Southwark, crossing the Ravensbourne valley, and continuing through Beckenham, West Wickham, Edenbridge, and the Sussex Weald, eventually reaching Lewes in Sussex.

For centuries, it linked the capital to iron-producing regions and ports along the south coast. Historians believe the road continued to be used throughout the Medieval period, with Simon de Montfort’s army likely traveling along it in the 13th century on the way to the Battle of Lewes.

Current Traces and Archaeological Findings

Today, traces of the road can still be identified in parts of London and Kent. In West Wickham, the line of the Roman road can be seen across the playing fields at the bottom of Corkscrew Hill. Wickham Way closely follows the Roman path and takes its name from an Old English word derived from a Romano-British settlement.

Archaeological evidence suggests that West Wickham was once a town of around 6,000 people, thriving due to its proximity to the road. Significant Roman sites have been uncovered every few miles along this route, including villas, bathhouses, farmsteads, and field systems.

Findings in Beckenham Place Park

At Hayes, archaeologists found evidence of a Roman bathhouse and a coin hoard. A Roman-British farmstead was also discovered at Bromley Common in previous years. Beckenham Place Park has a strong connection to the road, which sits beside the River Ravensbourne.

Previously, mudlarkers found several Roman artefacts in the park, suggesting more could be hidden beneath its greenery. These finds include a Roman ridge tile near the park’s lake and Roman coins found in the area.

Rod argues that these discoveries suggest evidence of a villa or bathhouse near the road. Despite the road’s importance and its links to southeast London, it receives little local acknowledgment.

Impact of Roman Roads

Roman roads were not just for marching armies; they also helped transport goods and build communities, fundamentally changing the history of Britain.