English: Thomas Hardy Locations: The Roman Road This Track runs north-south on the western edge of this square. It is the old road that leads north from Upwey up the steep hillside to the Ridgeway , the ancient tracks that run along the crest of the local coastal hills. It was replaced by and runs parallel to the A357 Dorchester to Weymouth road which is itself being replaced by the Weymouth relief road which is currently under construction. The track was the roman road to Dunrovia (Dorchester) two thousand years ago. A phantom legion of Roman soldiers is said to appear in times of national crisis and march along this stretch of track at Ridgeway Hill, between Dorchester and Weymouth.

Thomas Hardy wrote about the track and the ghostly soldiers in his poem "The Roman Road"

The Roman Road runs straight and bare As the pale parting-line in hair Across the heath. And thoughtful men Contrast its days of Now and Then, And delve, and measure, and compare;

Visioning on the vacant air Helmeted legionnaires, who proudly rear The Eagle, as they pace again The Roman Road.

But no tall brass-helmeted legionnaire Haunts it for me. Uprises there A mother's form upon my ken, Guiding my infant steps, as when We walked that ancient thoroughfare,

The Roman Road