Street names in Bridgwater beginning with the letter ‘A’.
Adscombe Avenue: Part of the Sydenham Estate, under construction in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177), the name referring to a hamlet near Over Stowey. Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. The name means the narrow valley belonging to Eadda or Aeddi (an Old English personal name –Ekwall). Built over a field called ‘Copland’, as recorded on the Tithe Apportionment Map.
Acacia Grove: A terrace of six polychrome brick cottages at the eastern end of the south side of Rhode Lane, first mentioned in the 1901 census. In that census five dwellings are mentioned – 1 to 5 – but by the time of the 1911 census they have been integrated into Rhode Lane as a whole, so number 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 (which is still their numbering today). In the 1911 census one return calls these ‘Acacia Villas’, although this is possibly a mistake. (With thanks to Jon White for helping to solve where these properties were).
Acacia Walk: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
*Albert Street: The layout dates to sometime in the thirteenth century, not long after West Street was laid out when and divided into burgage property plots. The name Albert Street dates to the 1850s (exact date needed), in honour of Prince Albert. The earliest mention of Albert Street found so far is September 1851, in the burial register of the Wembdon Road Cemetery . Oddly, the name seems to be applied as an honorific before Albert’s death in 1861. There was a pub called the Albert at the top of this street near St Matthew’s Field, which is first mentioned in 1849. It could be the street name was a reference to the pub, in turn named in honour of the Prince. Before this it was called Roper’s Lane (by 1735 Stratchey’s Map – significance needs expanded). Before that, from at least 1380, it was called Blind Lane, because it terminated in a dead end (BBA, no.355) presumably before Halswell Lane joined it up to West Street. Still referred to as Roper’s Lane in 1878, although also referred to as Albert Street in the same report (Somerset County Gazette 5 January 1878).
Alberta Way: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. Presumably named after the part of Canada.
Albion Close: (Modern Brownfield development date TBC – built on the site of the old collar factory) Possibly named in reference to the town’s football team? Albion is a Latin name for Great Britain, rooted in the word for ‘white’, referring to the white cliffs of Dover.
Alderney Road: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans) One of the Channel Islands. Unknown significance to Bridgwater.
Alexandra Road: First phase built 1865 and first called Alexandra Place (Squibbs no.138). Named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925) who was married to the future Edward VII in 1863. West side complete by 1888, east side by 1904 OS map. The houses themselves were called Alexandra Villas.
Alfoxton Road: Part of the cooperative housing estate built by the 1967 Town Guide plan. One of a series of names on a new estate taken from local villages. Refers to the village of Alfoxton, which means ‘Aelfheah’s farmstead’. Ekwall.
All Saints Terrace: Built when the Westonzoyland Road level crossing was converted to a railway bridge here in c.1873 (MS), to continue to provide access to Colley Lane. This side lane probably had no name until it was referred to in reference to All Saint’s Mission Chapel, part of St John’s Church, built in in 1882 (Pidoux). That chapel may have taken its lead from the medieval chapel of the same name in St Mary’s Church.
Allen Road: 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. Possibly refers to Douglas Allen, local photographer (with thanks to Geoff Harding). Could also be Mary Allen, active in the Museum Society 1970s/80s, and also a J.P (TW). Alternatively, Frederick H. Allen was Mayor of Bridgwater in 1922 (with thanks to Laura Bailey).
Allice Terrace, Wembdon: Probably 18-22 Wembdon Hill. Mentioned in the 1901 census for Wembdon. The name refers to the Allice family who lived here, and possibly built these properties. See the biography for Edwin and Elizabeth Humphries on the website of the Friends of the Wembdon Road Cemetery (with thanks to Clare Spicer).
Alma Terrace, Mount Street: named after the Battle of Alma during the Crimean War, 20 September 1854. Built after 1888 as does not appear on the OS Town Plan. Named in the 1901 census.
Almond Tree Close: Shown on the 1972 and 1974 Town Guide Plan as ‘Cherry Tree Close’. Corrected on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Amber Close: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. A number of roads on this estate are named after pretty stone types. Built over a field called ‘Hither Thirty Acres, as opposed to ‘Yonder Thirty Acres’, presumably in relation to Cockpit Farm. (TAM).
Andersfield Close: Part of the cooperative housing state: built between the 1971 and 1972 Town Guide plans. One of a series of names on a new estate taken from local villages. The name means ‘Andrew’s Field’. This road is built over a field called ‘Bradland’ on the Tithe Apportionment Map.
*Angel Crescent: Regency terrace built in 1816, named after the Angel Inn which stood on the High Street and backed onto Clare Street near the top of the terrace. The Angel Inn was a medieval institution, and is first mentioned in the sixteenth century and was demolished in 1824 in favour of the Royal Clarence Hotel, a religious name probably because it was part of the church’s property (VCH; Squibbs, no.4). The road now referred to as Angel Crescent will date to the town’s foundation in 1200, being the route from the Northgate to the High Street. It was called ‘twixt Northgate and Orlove Street’ (Orlove now Clare Street) in 1352 (BBA, no.165) also called ‘twixt North Gate and Castle Drawbridge’ in 1372 (BBA, no. 276), suggesting the route incorporated part of what is now Clare Street and round to York Buildings.
Angel Place: Shopping centre named after Angel Crescent. Opened by the Queen in 1987 (BM)
Angelica Drive: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Angelica is an aromatic plant. Candied (cooked up in sugar and cooled) it can be cut into slivers and used as a cake decoration.
Angoni Place: Construction started 2018. Part of the New Market redevelopment. Built over the site of the 1935 livestock market. Named after a type of cattle native to Zambia and Malawi lard Drive (with thanks to Laura Bailey)
Angus Way: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Angus is a region of Scotland, although possibly refers to the type of cow here. Built over a field called Priest Meadow (TAM).
Anson Way: (1980s Docks development – date TBC) Named after famous admirals of the Royal Navy, keeping with the notion of ‘Admirals Landing’. Like Drake who also got a road in this development, George Anson 1697-1792, circumnavigated the globe, won numerous battles and reformed the navy.
Anstice Place: Court on the north side of Eastover. Appears on the 1888 OS Town Plan. Presumably named after the owner and/or builder – possibly Robert Anstice or a member of his family. Still standing on the 1930s OS map. Seems to have been demolished by the time of the 1946 RAF photographic survey.
Apple Tree Close: Shown on the 1972 Town Guide plan. One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Appleyard Walk: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Ironically, despite dozens of Bridgwater developments being built over former orchards, this walk was not.
Apricot Tree Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Arlington Close: (20th c. Hamp development – date TBC) unknown significance
Ash Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Ashford Close: First appears on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. Unknown significance, possibly after the hamlet of Ashford with the Bridgwater pumping station, although part of a development that tended to honour notable Bridgwater people.
Ashgrove Way: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, each named after tree groves.
Ashleigh Avenue: Not on the 1904 OS Map, but appears in the next edition (revised sometime between 1910 and 1940) (exact date needed) Built over former orchards (Tithe Apportionment Map). The dog-leg entrance from the Taunton Road is because it was built over the gardens of a small court of cottages called Craze’s Buildings, which also gave access to a larger house – possibly Ashleigh House? Otherwise the name is of unknown significance.
Ashleigh Terrace: Side street off Ashleigh Avenue, built at the same time.
Ashman Way: Not clear – possibly part of the Wilstock development?
Ashton Road: 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. Most likely Robert Ashton, Mayor of Bridgwater 1940, 1941 and 1942 (with thanks to Laura Bailey).
Aspen Court: Access road built over the garden of Aspen Grove House, Wembdon Road. Appears on the 1888 OS Map, and in 1864 photographs of the Wembdon Road Cemetery (Blake Museum Collections). House presumably of the 1840s or 1850s, although this is still farmland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map. Aspen is a type of tree.
Aster Close: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Athlone Road: Part of the 1930s Hamp development. Several nearby streets were named after royal titles, and this appears to refer to Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone. Road appears in the 1939 Town Guide.
Augusta Drive: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. Name of unclear significance.
Avalon Road: Part of the Sydenham Estate. Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. This is a reference to the mythical Isle of Avalon from the King Arthur legends, assumed to be Glastonbury. Much more uplifting than the fieldnames it was built over; ‘Tynes’ and ‘Kiss Arse Causeway‘. This road partially follows the line of Moot’s Lane – only part of which survives (see that entry). ‘Kiss Arse Causeway’ is of unknown significance. (Tithe Apportionment Map)
Avebury Drive: (modern development – date TBC) – unknown significance. Presumably relating to the village of the same name in Wiltshire.
The Avenue: Shopping arcade, built into an older house by the time of the 1904 OS map. Originally called ‘Blake Parade’. Altered in 1927 (Somerset Heritage Centre A/CMY/174) for H. Squibbs,
Axe Road: Colley Lane Industrial Estate. This was one of the first new roads, laid out c.1965 (Town Guide, 1965, p.61). One of a number of roads in this estate to be named after Somerset Rivers, Axe being an old Brythonic word for ‘flowing water’ (Ekwall). Follows the line of the much older ‘Black Lane‘. This lane appears on the 1888 OS Map, but is not on the 1840s Tithe map – either it was just a small track in the former, or it may have been laid out to provide access to the GWR railway sidings. Presumably the lane was quite dark, hence ‘black’.
Azalea Drive: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.