When the basement at the rear of 20 High St was extended in 1958 a thick spread of rammed gravel was found at about 1.8m below the modern surface. It is possible that it is part of the courtyard of the Roman forum or perhaps a section of the Roman Street which bounded the north side of the forum, the alignment of which street has been proved to be direct from the site of the church of St Thomas in Burgate to the present Westgate.