 Ilchester was a Roman garrison town, built at the point where the Fosse Way crossed the River Ivel, and there is evidence that the Romans built quays on the river.There are mentions of boats using the river in the 13th century, and in a survey carried out in 1632 by Gerard.However, the Ivel was never a large river, and when there was inadequate water to reach Ilchester, goods were unloaded at Pill Bridge, which crossed the river downstream from the town.