Ermine Street - The Alternative Course of Ermine Street

The Alternative Course of Ermine Street

As depicted in the Roman Map of Britain above it is important to note a sector of Ermine Street in which there was an alternative route. As Ermine Street extended north out of Lincoln and past RAF Scampton the map attached clearly shows an alternative course of Ermine Street curving left and forming a semicircle on a wide heading west of the Humber Estuary. Whilst the straight northerly route, traced in red on the map, between Lincoln and York was the shortest, this route was not always passable over the Humber Estuary during adverse weather conditions. Thus a significantly important alternative route was established (see also Roman roads in Britain).

This 'alternative' route is detailed in the Antonine Itinerary and linked York (Eboracum), Castleford (Lagecium), Doncaster (Danum ), Littleborough (Agelocum) and Lincoln (Lindum).

Part of this route in the Doncaster area is known as the Roman Ridge or Roman Rigg.

A large section of this road formed what for many later centuries became the Great North Road between Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire.