Romano-British Battlesden

The Bedfordshire Historic Environment Record [HER] details all prehistoric and Roman-British finds and sites known in the county. It is now available on-line as part of the Heritage Gateway website. Remarkably there is no prehistoric activity recorded in the parish and only two entries about the Romano-British period.

The most obvious Roman thing in Battlesden is the A5 or Watling Street [HER 5508], which forms part of the south-western boundary. Watling Street was the Roman road which ran from London to Holyhead in Wales. To the east of the road sherds of Roman pottery dated to the 3rd and 4th century were discovered [HER 15799]. Amongst these were pieces of Samian ware. This high quality red pottery with decoration was made from teh 1st century to the mid 3rd century and might imply that a villa was located nearby, itself not surprising so close to a major road.