Geograph - photograph every grid square

As well as using landmarks such as large trees or rock formations, people have added waymarkers to help them navigate the landscape. The Romans marked their military routes with stones at one (Roman) mile intervals and the monastic orders set up crosses, but there was no legislation until 1697. Then the local authorities (the Justices of the Peace) were ordered to set up markers on tracks over open ground or where such highways crossed. These were made of vernacular materials and the stone ones have survived best, called guide stoops or guide stones. Legislation for milestones at one mile intervals on the new privatised turnpike roads followed in 1760 and many of these survive today, reminding us of our travel history. They are mostly owned by the local Highway Authorities but many are in poor condition.
You can find out more about the stories told by the milestones, about the people who made the roads and the people who used them, on our website, Link. You can also find details of our heritage walks and our various projects for sharing our interest and enthusiasm for these quirky little markers!