Portway.
*The ancient road ran from Ashford and Burton Moor through Wirksworth to just north of Sandiacre (CLARK), whence it goes off via No Man's Lane towards Nottingham.
*There was probably a Roman road from Little Chester to Nottingham, near the Howarths, down Lady Cross Hill towards Sandiacre church (= Lavedy Cross in Cartulary). The southern Portway divides on the hill above Stanton and goes down the hill south of the Howarths, joining the end of Rushy Lane in the direction of Sawley. These were probably British tracks becoming Roman roads (JOWETT BURTON).
*See Portway book published by Scarthin.
Near Sandiacre Lodge it was on the grass verge bounded by a ditch on both sides. It passes through the hedge and conjecturally to the south side of Sandiacre Lodge, through the farmyard and buildings at Boyah, then crosses a large excavation post-dating the track. It reappears as a grassy track and circles to the east of Hermit's wood near to the road junction on Woodpecker Hill.
It divides:
1) to the Hermitage and Dale church (generally considered to run below the, cave) (CLARK)
2) across the field to the south west corner of the cottages' gardens, across the field to the east of Abbey Field, crossing the Sow Brook, then curving west to the north of Mick Waggstaff’s farm and up Arbour Hill, crossing the main road and continuing past the Hagg Farms.
The road went from forest clearing to forest clearing (hag meant a clearing) and later came to be identified with an enclosed field in the clearing. We find it being used in the 16th century to indicate a fall of timber (COCKERTON).
The out law frequented Dale because of the Portway (CLARK).