The traditional circular shape was due to a suspicion that the devil, or evil, could find no corner in which to hide.' THE OXFORD TIMES Discover what the Romans did By Maggie Hartford The Roman Way. They were called lengthman's houses because the occupant was responsible for looking after a particular length of the canal. Extract 'The circular stone building to the left of the canal bridge at Cerney Wick is one of five lengthman's houses built along the course of the canal in 1790. Each walk is accompanied by an OS map and illustrations of points of interest, as well as notes and fact boxes on points of archaeological and geographical interest. Practical details such as bus routes, tea rooms and accommodation are also provided. Steane has made life easy for casual walkers by breaking the hike into 17 manageable sections, which are then divided into shorter segments, so the book contains walks suited to all ages and abilities. She brings similar expertise and enthusiasm to this latest title, devoted to a 174-mile walk on Roman ways that form a triangle from Chesterton in Oxfordshire, Cirencester in Gloucestershire, and on to Silchester, a Roman walled town in Hampshire, finishing at the Roman military fort at Alchester.

Each day's walk is accompanied by the relevant sections of the Ordnance Survey map and is vividly illustrated throughout giving archaeological, historical, botanical and local anecdotal detail.By Clover Stroud of the Sunday Telegraph The Roman Way By Elaine Steane (Reardon Publishing) Elaine Steane is a keen rambler whose previous book focused on the Seven Shires Way, a 234-mile walk in central England. The book divides the Roman Way into 17 sections, all of which have suggested access points for shorter distances, information about public transport, a list of tea shops, pubs and accommodation. From this Roman settlement, the route goes directly rth beside Oxford and across Otmoor, the marsh where the Romans built a bridge to reach the fort at Alchester. The way continues through the heathlands and pine forest rth to Dorchester on Thames.

The route follows Akeman Street as it crosses the limestone heights of the Cotswold Hills to Cirencester, then south-east following the Ermin Way across the Wiltshire Downs, through the village of Speen in Berkshire, descending to cross the River Kennet as the Romans did.

It follows a triangle formed by three Roman roads from Chesterton, near Bicester in Oxfordshire, to Cirencester in Gloucestershire, and on to the Roman walled town of Silchester in Hampshire, returning to the Roman military fort at Alchester near the starting point.

The Roman Way is a 174-mile walk, on the theme of Roman roads, using public rights of way.

The Seven Shires Way by Elaine Steane