Harrow Way
Encyclopedia
The Harrow Way forms the western part of the Old Way, an ancient trackway
in the south of England, dating from the Neolithic
period, which can be traced from Rochester and the Channel ports in the Straits of Dover along the North Downs
and through Guildford
, Farnham
, Andover
and Basingstoke
to Salisbury Plain
and Stonehenge
, and on to Seaton
on the Devon
coast. The name may derive from herewag
, a military road; har, ancient (as in hoary) way or heargway, the road to the shrine (perhaps Stonehenge). It is sometimes described as the 'oldest road in Britain' and is possibly associated with ancient tin trading
.
The eastern end of the Harrow Way, where it becomes the Pilgrims' Way
, is at Farnham
, an aggregation point for travellers joining from the south coast. The section here is believed to have run through (now) Farnham Park and continued its course along the chalk outcrop, crossing the Bagshot Road where the Six Bells pub now stands where it continued past Badshot Lea
, where an important Neolithic Long Barrow burial mound was found. The Harrow Way then continues to the crest of the Hog's Back
where the ancient trackway is known to have run.
In Dorset
, the Harrow Way can be traced through the villages of Halstock
and Corscombe
, where it is known as Common Lane. At the Halstock end, near the golf course, a short length was realigned to form the access for a Roman Villa
(which was built on the site of a late Iron Age
farmstead).
Ancient trackway
Ancient trackway can refer to any track or trail whose origin is lost in antiquity. Such paths existed from the earliest prehistoric times and in every inhabited part of the globe...
in the south of England, dating from the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period, which can be traced from Rochester and the Channel ports in the Straits of Dover along the North Downs
North Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
and through Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, Andover
Andover, Hampshire
Andover is a town in the English county of Hampshire. The town is on the River Anton some 18.5 miles west of the town of Basingstoke, 18.5 miles north-west of the city of Winchester and 25 miles north of the city of Southampton...
and Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of...
to Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain is a chalk plateau in central southern England covering . It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation and largely lies within the county of Wiltshire, with a little in Hampshire. The plain is famous for its rich archaeology, including Stonehenge, one of England's best known...
and Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
, and on to Seaton
Seaton, Devon
Seaton is a seaside town in East Devon on the south coast of England. It faces onto Lyme Bay, to the west of the mouth of the River Axe with red cliffs to one side and white cliffs on the other. Axmouth and Beer are nearby...
on the Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
coast. The name may derive from herewag
Herepath
A Herepath or Herewag is a military road in England, typically dating from the ninth century CE.This was a time of war between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England and Viking invaders from Denmark...
, a military road; har, ancient (as in hoary) way or heargway, the road to the shrine (perhaps Stonehenge). It is sometimes described as the 'oldest road in Britain' and is possibly associated with ancient tin trading
Dartmoor tin-mining
The Dartmoor tin mining industry is thought to have originated in pre-Roman times, and continued right through to the 20th century. From the 12th century onwards tin mining was regulated by a Stannary Parliament which had its own laws....
.
The eastern end of the Harrow Way, where it becomes the Pilgrims' Way
Pilgrims' Way
The Pilgrims' Way is the historic route supposed to have been taken by pilgrims from Winchester in Hampshire, England, to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury in Kent...
, is at Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, an aggregation point for travellers joining from the south coast. The section here is believed to have run through (now) Farnham Park and continued its course along the chalk outcrop, crossing the Bagshot Road where the Six Bells pub now stands where it continued past Badshot Lea
Badshot Lea
Badshot Lea is a village situated near Farnham, Surrey, England. It is located half-way in between Aldershot and Farnham, with excellent access to the A31. The village boundaries have traditionally been four bridges -- three railway and one over a stream -- which inspired the logo for the local...
, where an important Neolithic Long Barrow burial mound was found. The Harrow Way then continues to the crest of the Hog's Back
Hog's Back
The Hog's Back is a part of the North Downs in Surrey, England, that lies between Farnham, Surrey in the west and Guildford in the east.-Name:Compared with the main part of the Downs to the east of it, it is a narrow elongated ridge, hence its name....
where the ancient trackway is known to have run.
In Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, the Harrow Way can be traced through the villages of Halstock
Halstock
Halstock is a village in north west Dorset, England, five miles south of Yeovil, and lies on the route of the ancient Harrow Way. The village has a population of 470 , down from a peak of over 600 in the mid-nineteenth century.-History:...
and Corscombe
Corscombe
Corscombe is a small village in west Dorset, England, halfway between Yeovil and Beaminster. The village has a population of 465 .The musician Polly Jean Harvey is a former resident....
, where it is known as Common Lane. At the Halstock end, near the golf course, a short length was realigned to form the access for a Roman Villa
Roman villa
A Roman villa is a villa that was built or lived in during the Roman republic and the Roman Empire. A villa was originally a Roman country house built for the upper class...
(which was built on the site of a late Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
farmstead).