18 
opposite Bathwick points to the existence of a ford. Several 
roads would in this case meet at this point, and what more 
natural than for the Romans to erect a fort to guard the ford and 
protect the entrance to the town. 
The London Brewery in Walcot is of very ancient date, and 
it probably marks the junction of the London Road 
with the Bathwick Street which then ran in a straight line, 
passing by the side of the old church and between the Rectory 
and the present church of S. John direct to the river. One 
road leads thence up what is now Margaret’s Hill to the Lansdown 
Road, and there was a direct path up Snow Hill, Tyning Lane, 
and by the footpath which crosses the fields and now comes out 
opposite the turn to Woolley. This being so, we can understand 
how it was possible for one priest to perform the duties necessary 
to the two parishes, and also how it is that Roman remains are 
found along this line of road, which most likely then went by 
Abbey View House, up Tyning Road, and thus past Widcombe 
Old Church along the edge of the Convent property to Frome. 
The road may have been chosen as the boundary of the estate 
when the land came into the possession of the Monks. 
Along this road there would be considerable traffic, and 
some miles would be saved by avoiding the road through . 
Bath, and possibly also some dues. Whether the altar and coins 
had any connection one with the other, whether they mark the spot 
where the travellers halted after and before they crossed, whether 
it was here they paid their dues, we must leave to imagination. 
The existence of a ford at this conjunction of the numerous 
roads is of still further importance. 
Where Waller crossed the Avon in marching from Claverton to 
Lansdown, in July, a.p. 1643, has always been a_ difficult 
question to solve. To cross at Bathford would have obliged him 
to expose himself to an attack from the Royalists marching 
towards Bannerdown and hurrying to enter Bath at Grosvenor or 
Dead Mill. 
