Monument record 1655/1 - Probable Romano-British Villa, Woodford

The existence of a substantial Roman settlement in this location has been known since the early 18th century. Finds such as box flue tile, window glass and large quantities of roofing tile indicate the presence of buildings of some status. Limited salvage excavation and watching brief in 1986 revealed a stone-founded circular building partly overlain by one of two nearby rectangular structures

{1} Location of a high status Roman settlement, believed to be a villa due to the quality and range of finds including roof tiles, box flue tiles,white plaster, tesserae, window glass and domestic glass. Fieldwalking revealed a concentration of Romano-British pottery and tile in the area of the enclosures (1655/0/5). Pottery included a mixture of grog, shelley and grey wares with occasional colour coated wares. Date appears to be late first century to second century. Quantity of roof tile suggests that some of the buildings at least had substantial roofs.Dating evidence from pottery, finds etc suggests that settlement came into existance in late first century and continued into second century AD. However 11 coins collected by metal detector suggests activity into the second half of the third century.

In the 2nd century, building and yard surfaces were constructed over earlier ditches and enclosures sharing a common alignment. An area of metalling was noted 40m to the north of the main settlement, also overlying the earlier ditch system. The stone foundations of a circular structure 4m in diameter were identified. Outer edge of structure constructed by limestone blocks, small pieces formed foundation of a partially preserved mortar floor. Single circular pit 0.8m deep located off centre probably a contemporary feature. The structure was cut by a later rectangular building. The wall foundation of the building was 9m long (no other dimension could be determined) and had been heavily robbed. Foundation comprised of large tightly pitched limestones. No dating evidence obtained. Robber trench contained a mixed assemblage including a lower Nene valley colour coat base dated to the third-fourth centuries.

A second rectangular building on the same alignment was at least 10m long and 3m wide, but exact dimensions were lost due to quarrying. Uncertain whether the building was constructed of timber or stone as neither walling or post holes were visible in the trench.

A line of four postholes and three slots between the two buildings indicates presence of other structures. Second century pottery found within two of the slots.

{2} South Woodford Villa (Site 15) may be considered as a compact enclosure, however the limited size of the enclosure does not necessarily imply status. It was built in stone with tile, the latter perhaps indicating status. South Woodford may also have had mosaic floors in the main buildings. Smaller villas such as Woodford may have been founded in the Roman period. 11 Roman coins were found at Woodford, two dated to AD96-180, one to AD 259-275, one to AD 330-348, and seven more generally to the C3rd/C4th.

A substantial Roman settlement located within a loop of the River Nene at Woodford (SP975546) has been known since the early C18th when tesserae, tile and an urn were found. Four fragments of box flue tiles found in 1937 may also have come from this site (BNFAS 1970, 14, p.14). More recently, surface collection in December 1969 identified limestone scatters associated with Roman pottery and tesserae. Fieldwalking carried out in 1986 by Raunds Historical Society identified a concentration of pottery and tile in the area of the enclosures. The pottery largely comprises a mixture of grog, shelly and grey wares, with only occasional colour coated wares, thereby suggesting activity mainly in the late C1st and C2nd, with a possible decline in the later Roman period.

Phase 1 was represented by two distinct alignments of ditches, although their relative chronology could not be established since both contained pottery of the late C1st to C2nd AD. One group of ditches appeared to share the same alignment as the adjacent cropmarks. The other ditches probably formed separate rectangular enclosures as their alignment is at variance with the cropmarks. They may represent a measure of replanning in the early Roman period.

Phase 2 followed at least partial backfilling of the enclosures in the C2nd. Buildings and yard surfaces wrere constructed over them. The buildings appear to share the same alignment as the underlying ditches and those identified as cropmarks. The stone foundations of a circular structure c.4m in diameter, were identified. Roughly dressed limestone blocks defined part of the outer edge of the structure, with smaller pieces of stone forming the foundation for a partially preserved mortar floor, possibly to prevent subsidence into the underlying ditches. A circular pit 0.8m deep and lying off-centre may be contemporary with the structure.

The circular structure had been cut by the east wall os a rectangular building, which was subsequently heavily robbed. The wall foundations were 0.09m wide and comprised of large, tightly pitched limestone. The building may have been up to 9m long, but its width was not revealed within the modern quarry area. No dating evidence was obtained for the construction of the building, but the robber trench contained a mixed assemblage including lower Nene valley colour coat dating to the C3rd/C4th.

A second possible building sharing a similar alignment was identified some 3m to the south. It was denoted by a vertically sided trench 0.55m wide, which may have contained the foundations for the north and west walls. It is uncertain however whether the building was of timber or stone construction. Where surviving, the structure was at least 10m long x 3m wide. A small quantity of pottery of the late C1st to C2nd was recovered from the trench, but could be residual. The trench was partially sealed by a small area of limestone paving with a mortar bedding. This may have been more extensive, but was damaged during topsoil stripping.

A line of four postholes and three slots between the two buildings indicates the presence of other structures which cannot be characterised further due to the limited nature of the excavation. Two of the slots contained small groups of C2nd pottery.

Large quantities of roofing tile suggest that some of the buildings were provided with substantial roofs. The column, box flue tiles, white plaster and tesserae similarly point to a degree of sophistication, which has not been encountered on many other survey sites. Nine fragments of window glass and 13 pieces of domestic glasss also suggest a degree of status. The site may therefore represent a villa.

Fieldwalking carried out in 1986 by Raunds Historical Society identified a concentration of pottery and tile in the area of the enclosures. The pottery largely comprises a mixture of grog, shelly and grey wares, with only occasional colour coated wares, thereby suggesting activity mainly in the late C1st and C2nd, with a possible decline in the later Roman period.

{3} Finds made in the 1940s. Part of a Romano-British urn was found. Ploughing finds from the early C18th. SP97557546. Romano-British finds including two coins, tesserae, 'odly engraven tiles' and a Roman urn.

{4} Part of a Roman urn was found 20 years ago at SP97557546. It was given to Woodford School. Meadow Furlong is centred on SP97457555. Two C4th AD coins were also found.

{5} Many tesserae and tile fragments from Meadow Furlong in Woodford Field, on the south side of the Nene.

{8} Finds following ploughing in 1969. Romano-British. Large pieces of building stone including some dressed, tesserae, brick, glass and part of a quern. All from a small raised area. Some Romano-British pottery, roof tiles and oyster shells were recovered from the surrounding area. SP97567546.

{10} Listed in gazetteer of Roman villas.

{11] 'Meadow Furlong' centred SP 97457555 from a "Map of Woodford" 1731 by William Sutton. Scale 1"=500'.

Part of an RB urn was found c 20 years ago at SP 97557546 and given to Woodford School by Mr A E Horrell, Lobe Farm, Woodford.

(SP 96927676). RB greyware and building debris found in an area centred to SP 97557546 during field investigation.





{2} Fieldwalking carried out in 1986 by Raunds Historical Society identified a concentration of pottery and tile in the area of the enclosures. The pottery largely comprises a mixture of grog, shelly and grey wares, with only occasional colour coated wares, thereby suggesting activity mainly in the late C1st and C2nd, with a possible decline in the later Roman period.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.149-50 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p.73-75 & 199-201 (checked) (Book). SNN105780.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.112/Site 7 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97NE25 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.194 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<6> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.269 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<7> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.529 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<8> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Roman), 4/14 (unchecked) (Article). SNN100535.

<9> Northampton Museum Records, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<10> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, p. 148/ NH 120 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<11> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 30-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:33PM