People have lived in the Stretton Gap (or Dale) for thousands
of years; an Iron Age hillfort on Caer Caradoc overlooks the town.
 The name 'Stretton' is derived from the Old English words 'stræt'
meaning 'Roman Road' and 'tun' meaning 'settlement'.  A Roman
road, Watling Street, runs through the Stretton Gap, though the
town (and adjacent settlements) were not historically located on
this road - during the 'Dark Ages' the settlements grew
a short distance away from the old thoroughfare,
for defensive purposes.

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