The word turnpike appeared in 18th century in Britain as improving groups were set up to build toll roads. They would build a stretch of road, with tollgates, and cottages for the men who collected the tolls. This led to people trying to get round them - near here is a lane called Sparepenny Lane, which allowed travellers along the same route, but up the other side of the valley as the turnpike, hence sparing the fee. It also led to the growth of inns near the tollgates. I remember my grandfather explaining how people worked their route to market so that they could do the whole trip in one day. It meant staying at the inn close to the gate, and then going through first thing in the morning. Turnpike roads can sometimes be mistaken for Roman roads, as they were built in emulation of the earlier good roads.

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