The Ordnance Survey maps of West Wales show a dashed line running from south to north, sometimes on the course of modern roads, sometimes over hills and moorland, sometimes raised on a causeway, sometimes disappearing from view. It is labelled as ‘Sarn Helen’, often with ‘ROMAN ROAD’ in bold lettering beside. But was this route,…

This article continues from Part 1 and explores some other Helen and Elen associations that could help to shed light on the meaning and origins of the ancient trackways known as ‘Sarn Helen’ – that is, if they don’t confuse matters even further! Sarn Helen above the Vale of Neath (Image © Alan Richards) The…