Street names of Bridgwater beginning with the letter M.
Magnolia Tree Road: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. The properties on the south side abut an old rhyne, their gardens being built over an old footpath from Moots to Chedzoy.
Majestic Road: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. Name of little apparent significance, presumably just used to sound grand. Built over a field called ‘Yonder Thirty Acres, as opposed to ‘Hither Thirty Acres’, presumably in relation to Cockpit Farm. (TAM).
Mallard Way: Colley Lane housing estate, date TBC. Streets in this development were named after water birds, as this are was extensively dug for clay pits and then left as wetlands before development.
Mallow Court: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Malvern Close: Modern Bower, date TBC. Unknown significance, presumably after the town in Essex. There is some precedent for the name in Bridgwater, as Malvern House stands at the junction of Taunton Road and the Broadway. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map.
Manchip’s Court: A court off of the north side of old West Street. Two cottages are shown on the c.1854 Town Plan behind the property fronting West Street. Named on the 1887 25″ OS Town Plan, where four, maybe five, cottages are shown. In the 1871 census these properties are named and the head house is occupied by a Robert Manchip, a 41 year old tile maker – the court is presumably named after him. However there are also living in the 3rd dwelling John Manchip, a 59 year old Greenwich Pensioner and his wife Ann Manchip. She is the only of these Manchips living here in the 1881 census, aged 65 years. Still standing on the 1904 and 1930s OS maps. However, we do not find them in the 1937 Whitby Light and Lane Directory – we have number 8 Court (Harris’) and number 12 Court (Cole’s) but there is no 10 to complete the sequence.
Mandarin Close: Colley Lane housing estate, date TBC. Streets in this development were named after water birds, as this are was extensively dug for clay pits and then left as wetlands before development.
Manor Road: Part of the first phase of the Sydenham estate: shown in the 1939 Town Guide plan. Shown mostly complete on the 1956 RAF survey. Presumably names after Sydenham Manor on the other side of Bath Road, part of the old Cellophane site.
Mansion House Lane: Small lane between High Street and Clare Street. The medieval name is forgotten, it gets its current name from the adjoining Mansion House Inn, first mentioned in the early nineteenth century.
Maple Court: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora.
Maranta Court: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Marigold Road: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Marina Row: Colley Lane. Predating the docks marina by several decades, the name is of odd significance in this location, but presumably chosen as a pleasant name. Built over old clay pits, and a tramway, which followed the route of the Colley lane at the front of the properties, shown on the 1889 OS maps. The tramway is gone by the 1904 OS map, and the clay put has receded to the north and east of the site. Built by the time of the 1946 RAF photographic survey.
Mariners Close: just off Polden Street, modern infill site, date TBC. Names after the 1837 Mariners’ Chapel of St John Street, which backs onto the close – properties in the close being built over the former burial ground of the chapel, in use from 1837 to 1854.
Market Court, Market Street: The last surviving Bridgwater Court of Half Houses. Probably built in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Shown as a single long building on the c.1854 Town Plan, and four small and one long building on the 1887 OS 25″ Town Plan, likewise on each OS map to 1930. They seem to appear in their current form in the 1932 Aerial photographs (Britain from Above EPW039922). Clearer views from 1954 might suggest the long portion shown on the maps was a warehouse (Britain from Above EAW051174 and EAW051173). Although these may have first been built as warehouses and offices then later converted to housing, these cottages represent the last surviving ‘Court’ structures in Bridgwater. The name is recent, it does not appear on the 1887 map, and takes its lead from Market Street.
*Market Street: The street leading to the old Cattle Market, now the site of the Odeon Cinema building. First . Probably the street with the most number of names over the centuries: Cronile’s Lane in 1349 (BBA, no 155); Pynel’s Street in 1352 (BBA, nos 164, 165, 166), ‘twixt North Gate and West Gate’ in 1363 (BBA, no.206), Cronile’s Street in 1369 (BBA, no.245), then Pynel Street in 1373 (BBA, no.279). Pynel or Penel gives its name to Penel Orlieu, the meeting of Penel and Orlove Streets (or the meeting of Penel Street with the Orfaire). Called Prickett’s Lane on the 1735 Stratchey Map and 1888 OS Town Plan. Called Market Street by the 1904 OS Town Plan.
Marlborough Avenue: Built sometime between the 1930 OS map and the 1939 Town Guide. Presumably refers to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, a renowned British general, a military counterpart to nearby Cromwell Road.
Marsa Way: Built over the car park of the Welworth Factory. The name was put forward by the Bridgwater-Marsa Twinning Association and chosen by Council. The name was unveiled on 25 March 2008 by deputy mayor of Marsa, Dominic Spenser (with thanks to Pat Morgan). The site was a brickworks between 1776 and 1956, opened by Edward Sealy and later run by the Major family (Somerset HER, no.12404). Called the Colly Lane Patent Tile and Pottery Works on the 1888 OS map.
Marsh Lane: An old lane accross the marshes, which once led to ‘Crossway’ in the 1840s (TAM)s, a brickyard by the 1880s and divided by the railway (OS).
Mayfair Close: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. Little apparent significance: just a pleasing name to sound grand. Named after a fancy part of London. Built over Twine Close Meadow.
Mayfield Drive: Part of the cooperative housing state. West most end begun on the 1971 Town Guide plan, complete by the 1974 Town Guide plan. Name of unknown significance.
Mayflower Close: First shown on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora.
Meadow Park: Wembdon. Modern, first shown on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. Built over part of ‘Cheek’s Meadow’ (TAM). Unclear where ‘park’ came from.
Meadowlands Avenue: Part of the NDR development, complete by 2006. Named as such as it was built over former meadowland.
Melbourne Place: Open fields on the 1889 OS maps, although shown built by the 1904 OS map – seems to have provided better access to Sibley’s Buildings (which do appear on the 1889 OS map and form the north side of the ‘square’). Presumably named after William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, prime minister.
Mendip Road: Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Named after the range of hills in North Somerset.
Merino Way: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Possibly named after the type of sheep.
Merle Close: Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Built over the orchard of Liberty Cottage/Chubb’s Cottage. Name of unknown significance.
Merridge Close: Part of the Cooperative House Estate. Built between the 1971 and 1974 Town Guide plans, although unnamed when it appears in the latter. Named after the village on the Quantocks, as several streets on this estate are.
Middle Stream Close: Shown newly built on the 1974 Town Guide plan. The Middle Stream was a watercourse running between the Durleigh Brook in the north and Hamp Brook to the south – it provided drainage for the moor and also power for Hamp Mill. It runs along the east side of Browne’s Pond, while the Hamp Brook runs along its south. The stream is shown on the 1735 Town Plan almost meeting the South Gate, and may have been incorporated into the town’s defences. The close was named after the steam, even though its closer to the Hamp Brook. The close is built over a field called ‘Hollyland’ (TAM).
Mill Lane: See Blake Street
Mill Tail: See Blake Street
Milla Court: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Millwood Close: Later phase of the Rhode Lane estates. Shown newly built on the 1974 Town Guide plan. Name of unknown significance, although there was a mill in Hamp, not far from Browne’s Pond, so it is possible the wood in this area recorded on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map was also known as the Mill Wood, as well as Hamp Wood.
Milne Close: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). One of a series of names on a new estate celebrating notable townsfolk. C.W. Milne was mayor of Bridgwater in 1962 (with thanks to Laura Bailey)
Milton’s Place: West Steet. A small court on the north side of the street. Presumably named after the builder or owner. Mentioned in the 1841 census as Milton’s Court when a Mary Milton, aged 70, lived there with her two daughters. No Miltons were living there in the 1881 census, so the name survived them. Named on the 1887 OS 25″ Town Plan. Called No. 6 Court in the 1937 Whitby Light and Lane town directory. Not mentioned in the 1960 Kelly’s Directory.
*Moat Lane: Lost to the Broadway in 1964. This lane marked the edge of the town ditch, which ran to its east. This ditch defended the Westgate. For a time Moat Lane was referred to as Bell Lane, in reference to the adjoining inn. Although this section of the town ditch has not been excavated, part of it was discovered under Mount Street in 1973, revealing it to have been about 16 feet wide. A row of nine cottage on the north side closest to Albert Street were earmarked for demolition in 1878 (Somerset County Gazette 05 January 1878): these appear on the c.1854 Town Plan, but seem to have resulted in road widening by the 1887 OS Town Plan.
*Monmouth Street: Part of the medieval route out of Bridgwater, from the East Gate at the top of Eastover, then to what is now Bath Road. Renamed sometime before 1852 by he inventor John Clark (Metford). Named in reference to the route taken by the Duke of Monmouth’s army before the Battle of Sedgemoor, having been camped in Castlefields. Turned into a dual carriageway in 1960 (Squibbs).
Monmouth Terrace: 50-62 Monmouth Street. Named on the 1887 OS 25″ Town Plan. Seem to be referred to as Penfield Place on the 1871 Census – consisting of 11 well-to-do households – including Mayor Pollard (so probably included the whole row from number 46). The significance of Penfield is unclear.
Moonraker Close: Part of the Redgate factory redevelopment, date TBC. Possibly a shoe type from the Clarke’s factory?
Moore’s Lane: Wembdon. A very ancient lane. The name is taken from the property called Moore’s, possibly an early farm, partway down the hill. Presumably owned sometime by a gentleman with the surname Moore. The lane then winds its way to Chilton Trinity, and the marshlands by the Parrett. It may once have led to a ferry crossing of the river at Dunball, where the lost town, port and castle of Downend was found on the opposite bank. Moore’s Lane may have been the route called the ‘Hareway’ in medieval documents. The meaning of this could be mundane or significant – ‘Hare’ as a placename element could refer to hares, the animal, but it could also refer to the Anglo-Saxon army. Hareway was often a name used to describe Saxon military roads, and if there was a crossing or ferry near Dunball then they would easily join on to the Roman Road running along the Polden Ridge. Running in the other direction to Moore’s is Skimmerton Lane, part of the same routeway.
Moorland Road: Part of the later phase of the Sydenham estate. Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Built over several old fields and properties, including Monmouth Villa and ‘Pople’s Five Acres’. The name is presumably referring how the estate was built over old moorland.
Moorland Way: Part of the later phase of the Sydenham estate. Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Built over a field simply called ‘Poor Ground’ on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map.
Moots Lane: A modern road, not the same as the original Moot’s Lane, which ran north south, roughly along the line of Avalon Road. So called as it led to a cottage called ‘Moots’ and a like named field, shown on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map and 1888 OS map. Moots is probably possessive, the land belong to Mr Moot. The new Moots Lane is part of the later stages of the new Sydenham Estate.
Moravia Close: Modern NDR development, c.2001. Complete by 2006. Named at the suggestion of Brian Smedley in reference to the Czech Republic and Bridgwater’s twinning to Uherske Hradiste.
Moss Close: Part of the earlier phase of the Sydenham estate: first shown in the 1939 Town Guide. Probably named after the Cardiff-based builders of Frederick and Trevor Moss (with thanks to Heather Prosser)
Mount Pleasant: a terrace in Mount Street, numbers 37-45. Shown on the 1887 OS map, built sometime between then and the 1854 town plan. The name is playing on the street name ‘the Mount’ (see below).
Mount Radford: Wembdon. Radford possibly refers to a ‘red ford’ at the bottom of the Hollow Lane. The stone that makes up Wembdon Hill, apart from being soft and crumbly (often more akin to sand than stone) is found in several shades of red, hence Red-ford/Radford. However, the earliest mention of the name in 1727 calls this ‘Mount Rodburd’. The ‘burd’ element is this more likely to come from the old English beorg, which meant mound or hill. ‘Mount’ was a common local name for a mound, hence Mount Street. Certainly the summit of Mount Radford may have been much more mound like before extensive quarrying has nibbled it away. As the meaning of beorg was forgotten in everyday language ‘Mount’ was added to say the same thing – ‘mound red mound’. More poetically Mount Radford might translate as ‘the Mound on the Red Hill’.
Mount Street: A small lane running along the bank of the Town Ditch from the North Gate through to North Street. In use by the 1810s – suggested on Stratchey’s town plan of 1735. On the 1819 plan the lane is entirely bounded along its south side by the gardens of the properties in Market Street. Mostly undeveloped between North Gate and Dr Morgan’s school in the 1840s, but west of there had been built over by that time. More buildings by the 1889 OS map, terraces by 1904. Road built to connect to Penel Orlieu sometime between 1974 and 1978 (Town Guide Plans) The name refers to a 1640s Civil War Battery which stood at the bend near the electricity sub station. Clearly shown on the 1735 plan. In 1836 the lane was described as ‘North gate to the Schools at Mount, which is most disagreeable and dangerous from its narrowness and crookedness, and from the chance of meeting Cattle in that part where there is no room for escape’ – the report recommended widening and straightening the lane.
Mount Terrace: A row of cottages running between Mount Street and Market Street. Appears on the c.1854 Town Plan and 1888 OS Town Plan. Takes its name from Mount Street, in turn from the Mount. Presumably contemporary with the adjoining Mount Cottage. Still standing on the 1930 OS Map, but demolished by the time of the 1948 RAF photographic survey. Called Scragg’s Buildings in the 1871 Census.
Mulberry Tree Close: First shown on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora.
Muscovy Drive: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Presumably named after the Principality in Russia.
Myrtle Close Bower: Bower Development, complete by 1993 (with thanks to Dawn Melia Hutter) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Built along the boundary of two fields, the northern one called ‘Carolina’ (TAM)