The ferry here dates back many centuries, though the name 'Saxon' is said to have been the name of a distant ferryman. There is still a well-defined road leading to the crossing on the east bank from Stratford, a hamlet on the Tewkesbury road. On the west bank, after crossing the Lower Ham at Upton, the road is picked up at Ham Court. An 1828 map shows the road continuing west over the creast of Longdon Heath, round the north end of Longdon Marsh, past Castlemorton to Midsummer Hill. In the 19th century, Saxon's Lode was still a regular stage for passengers on the Severn navigation.