All Round the Wrekin - Burcotgate

Celts and Romans

Although the name Watling Street may be Anglo Saxon in origin, it is probable that the road itself was originally an ancient trackway used by the Celts and subsequently paved during the Roman occupation of Britain, when it formed part of a major 200-mile arterial route from Dover to Wroxeter. After Roman rule ceased, the highway fell into a general state of disrepair but, by the middle ages, it was once again an important traffic route. In 1726, a local turnpike trust was established in order to maintain the section of Watling Street in Wrockwardine parish and a gate was constructed near Burcot for the collection of tolls from travellers and merchants using the road.