The historic city of Leicester was founded by the Romans at the crossing of the River Soar by the Fosse Way, between the current path of the river and the modern Gallowtree Gate.
The south eastern boundary of the parish follows the route of the Fosse Way a Roman road that linked Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) in South West England to Lincoln (Lindum Colonia) in the East Midlands, via Ilchester (Lindinis), Bath (Aquae Sulis), Cirencester (Corinium) and Leicester (Ratae Corieltauvorum).