A5 road (Great Britain)

The A5 is a major road in Great Britain, running for approximately 252 miles (406 km) from London to Holyhead. It is one of the original Roman roads in Britain, known as Watling Street. While much of the modern A5 follows the route of Watling Street, significant sections have been bypassed or superseded by later roads, particularly the M1 and M6 motorways.

The road begins in London at Marble Arch and travels northwest through towns and cities including Edgware, St Albans, Milton Keynes, Towcester, Daventry, Rugby, Hinckley, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield, Cannock, Telford, Shrewsbury, and Llangollen before reaching Holyhead on the island of Anglesey in Wales. At Holyhead, it connects with ferries to Ireland.

Historically, the A5 was a vital coaching route, and many coaching inns still exist along its path. The construction of railways in the 19th century diminished its importance for long-distance travel, but the advent of motor vehicles revived its use.

The A5 has undergone several improvements and re-routings over the years. Parts of the original road have been downgraded to B roads or unclassified routes as traffic has been diverted onto newer, faster roads. Despite this, the A5 remains a significant arterial route, particularly for local traffic and for access to areas not directly served by motorways. Its route offers a mixture of urban and rural landscapes, and significant historical landmarks.