The Maiden Way passes in a perfectly straight line to the north-west from Birdoswald to the Little Beacon Tower, which from Birdoswald appears on a favourable day like a small nipple on the summit of the ridge of hills running to the east from the Beacon, and which may be readily discovered by taking a sight along the stone fence which forms the western boundary of the Waterhead Fell, and the east side of the farm-buildings at Spade Adam. It leaves Birdoswald at the Prætorian or Northern Gate of the Station, near a tree which stands at the head of the East meadow. It almost immediately enters into the adjoining croft, and aims towards a gate on the north side of the bog. It is traceable by means of several large detached stones remaining in a narrow slip of meadow ground, which runs along the foot of the brow in the croft. The following survey was taken merely by stepping; the measurement of buildings, &c,, by a walking stick three feet long.
At 260 yards it crosses a ditch and enters the bog. It shows some stones and gravel at the point of crossing, but it is probably covered by the peat moss through the bog, which is generally about four or five feet deep. Some may feel inclined to doubt whether the ground can really have grown so much in the time, but this is not a solitary instance. In many places the drainers have proved its subterranean existence where there was not the least trace on the surface. In the account of Naworth Castle, in Hutchinson's Cumberland, is the following note.—"On improving some peat moss, about a mile south-east of the castle, found a road (Roman Maiden Way) about twelve feet broad, laid with large stones, nearly five feet under the surface; the direction nearly north and south."
(190 yards.)[1] At 450 yards it leaves the bog at the gate on the north side, and enters into a large Square field belonging to the Kilhill Farm. The road seems to remain undisturbed at this gate. In passing through this field it crosses a piece of meadow which has been drained. Some of the drains cut through the buried road, leaving little doubt as to its line. There is a heap of stones lying at present which have been gathered from the drains, detached
- ↑ In order to facilitate the examination of the line by any antiquary, who may visit the localities here noticed, it has been thought desirable to state the distances between the successive stations described in this survey.
