"The Passage" is the centuries old name given to the path leading from the Roman Road - that once linked Bath and Gloucester - and the River Severn crossing at Arlingham to Newnham and then onward to Wales. History records a great battle took place here in the 4th century A.D. between the Romans and the Silures (ancient Welsh). It was a battle involving thousands of men, the most modern of Roman weaponry and many elephants. The battle lasted several weeks before the Silures were defeated and Wales ultimately conquered. Early in the seventh century St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, used the crossing to meet the Welsh Christians at the Synod of the Oak in 604 AD. What a pity he was unable to enjoy the hospitality of The Old Passage Inn.

With such drama, however, Arlingham's place in history was set in stone. For centuries afterwards the river continued to be crossed here on foot and was particularly popular with revellers on the Newnham side of the river who would venture to enjoy the cider houses in Arlingham. Unfortunately, around 250 years ago, erosion caused the depth of the water to increase so the river could be crossed only on horseback. Sadly, many a tippler returning the worse for wear from the cider houses, succumbed to these perilous waters. Then in the late 19th century a great flood came causing the river to change course, washing away the ford and separating the East and the West banks for ever. The attractions of Arlingham, nonetheless, continued to draw revellers from the West bank. For another 50 years or so a ferryman on the Newman side of the river would carry customers on his back over the mud to his boat and then row them across the river to Arlingham. It is said, with some plausibility, that the wise traveller would pay the ferryman only after the return journey had been accomplished for he was wont to spend his earnings in the very same cider houses as his clients. The journey back would then likely be of great hazard, if it took place at all, that night.

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