Monument record 7383/1 - A6 (Formerly the Market Harborough to Kettering Turnpike)

{1} The main road network has been substantially changed as a result of turnpiking in the 18th century. Until that date the main road from Higham Ferrers to Leicester did not apparently run through Rothwell but rather to the north, although the road from Rockingham to Northampton may have run through the town from Pipewell Abbey, crossing the Ise on the Abbey Bridge, the bridge and its causeway having been newly built in 1595-6. The primary road however, judging from the town plan, is likely to have been the east-west ridge route through Glendon. Kettering had become more important from the 13th century onwards but the road to Kettering, before turnpiking, had apparently entered the town through Ladywell End, crossing the stream over a stone bridge in the early 19th century. Since turnpiking the entrance to the town from the south ran over Long Lane bridge. This is apparently Rothwell bridge in 1642, adjacent to Bridge or Holme Close, and which led to the windmill.

{3} The course of the Market Harborough to Kettering turnpike road has been identified as entering the study area; this road did not follow an older route but was laid out new in the C18th.

<1> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100514.

<2> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<3> Savage R.D., 2011, Former Rockingham Box Factory, Dryden Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN108291.

Record last edited

Nov 21 2022 9:50AM