Ancient Northumberland Roads

From medieval times through to the creation of the turnpikes there were a number of different types of road traversing Northumberland.

The most important ancient roads were the Highways. These were usable at the drier times of the year and these roads would follow the harder ground and lighter soils , often leading to inexplicable twists and turns.

After the Highways came the paved roads. These were either old Roman roads or were "made up" with stone. The paved roads were also known as streets.

After the paved roads came the Salt roads and then the Drove roads.

Further down the list in order of importance we get Lanes and finally tracks or paths.