Roman Carnforth
As the map left shows a Roman Road ran north out of Lancaster through Carnforth and onto Natland. It is unlikely that anything much existed at Carnforth as far as a town or village was concerned but it could not be ruled out. However what is known is that in Roman times the area just north of Carnforth was very different. Today a flat area of farm land exists just to the north west of Carnforth running into the village of Warton as can be seen in the photo below. The A6 crosses the eastern edge of this land including the roundabout for junction 35 of the M6 in what is known as Carnforth Levels. The rest of the flat land is obscured from the A6 traveler by an embankment built for the main railway line.
The Inland Lagoon
Steep back a few centuries and this land would be very different. evidence has come to light to show that not too long ago the sea came into this area causing an inland bay or harbour. In fact the name Carnforth is anglo Saxon for, 'court by the harbour'. There have been found at Dock Acres in Warton near the A6/A6070 junction remains of extensive Roman dock facilities, this inland harbour being a main Roman Settlement. However whether this settlement came into the area where modern day Carnforth not stands is unlikely.
