Street Names of Bridgwater beginning with the letter ‘H’.
Haggett Close: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). Most names on this estate are named after Bridgwater worthies. Most likely refers to F. G. Haggett, mayor of Bridgwater during the First World War.
Halesleigh Road: Named after Halesleigh Tower (now the Quantock Pub), built by Mr Thomas Clarke, who named it as he purchased the land for it off of the Hales family, leigh meaning grove or glade (Metford; Ekwall). The new road occupies four old fields, the southern two being the location of a barn. A cow pit stood in the very centre (now under number 86) and one on the north west corner, along with some standing stones of unknown significance at the western end of number 85’s garden. The first portion of the road seems to be under construction on the 1904 OS map, when the easter part of the road had been built,. but only six eastern most houses standing on the southern side. At the time access was only from Victoria Road, although a footpath along the line of the later western part of the street led to the Jam Factory Lane. Later joined to Provident Place and Coronation Road.
Halsway: A later phase of the Sydenham estate, still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Name of unknown significance.
Halswell Avenue: 106-126 Taunton Road. Built between the 1891 and 1901 census. Presumably part of the estate of Halswell House.
Halswell Close: Part of the 1960s West Street redevelopment. Named after the old Halswell Lane, which was obliterated in the development.
Halswell Terrace: 90 to 94 Taunton Road. Built between the 1891 and 1901 census. A name plaque on 94 would have been where the name was recorded, but now appears to be empty. Presumably part of the estate of Halswell House.
Halswell Lane: Connected Albert Street to West Street. Called Halswell House Lane on the 1841 and 1851 Censuses (with thanks to Clare Spicer). Just called Halswell Lane on the 1888 OS Map. Called Halswell Street in 1859 (Bridgwater Mercury 25 May 1859) The lane was named after a pub ‘the Halswell House Inn’, 85 West Street, on the north eastern corner with West Street. The Inn is first recorded in 1822 That in turn was named after Halswell House, and the pub was presumably part of the many scattered properties of the estate.
Halyard Drive: NDR development, complete by 2006. Named after a line or rope, used to hoist a ladder, sail, flag or yard. Complements the adjoining Bowline Close (with thanks to Laura Bailey)
Hamilton Drive: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. Unclear significance – the Hamiltons were a powerful Scottish noble family. Built over a field called ‘Hither Thirty Acres, as opposed to ‘Yonder Thirty Acres’, presumably in relation to Cockpit Farm. (TAM).
Hamp Avenue: Once part of Hamp Lane/Street, see below.
Hamp Brook Way: Open fields on the 1946 RAF photographic survey. Shown newly built on the 1974 Town Guide plan. Takes its name from the adjoining Brook.
Hamp Crescent: A small six-cottage terrace on the south side of the canal, now the site of 61a. Seems to be noted as ‘part of Hamp Green on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map, and looks to have been part of an old orchard, which was cut in two by the construction of the New Taunton Road and possibly the Canal. Appears on the c.1854 Town Plan, and were still standing on the 1946 RAF photographic survey. Unclear when demolished.
Hamp Green Rise: A lane connecting Taunton Road to Hamp Street, primarily as a driveway for Hamp Green House a sixteenth century manor house. Shown on all the surviving maps of the area, although appears to be a private gated road on the 1889 OS Town Plan and on the 1904 OS map. The name ‘Hamp Green Rise’ appears on the 1930 OS map, by which time the modern houses had been built.
Hamp Road: See Rhode Lane.
*Hamp Street: In 959 King Eadwig of Wessex granted to a man called Ceolward property at Ham on the west bank of the Parrett, which King Aethelred gave to Athelney abbey in 1009. Also referred to as Hamme and later Hamp, the ‘p’ often being added to English words to make them easier to pronounce (Dampiet, Southampton, Thompson etc). The name simply means ‘settlement’ or ‘village’, indcating how early a name it was, not having to be distinguished from anything else. Hamp Street was once contagious with Hamp Ward, making one continuous route from the South Gate of Bridgwater to Rhode Lane, probably without any other connection to old Taunton Road along the riverbank. Called Hamp Lane on the 1835 Borough Boundary Map. Called Hamp Street on the 1840s Town Plan. Numbers 1 to 4 Hamp Street are known as Elmwood Villas (see entry under E).
Hamp Terrace: Stand on the east side of New Taunton Road, slightly south of the canal bridge. Does not appear on the c.1854 Town Plan. The north four cottages (nos 63-69) appear on the 1888 OS Town Plan. The rest of the row (71-75) are shown on the 1904 OS map. Number 77 was rebuilt in recent years as two properties, there being a very narrow shop on the site before that.
*Hamp Ward: A route way between Hamp Street to Bridgwater’s South Gate, now surviving as the footpath alongside Browne’s Pond and alongside the supermarket car park. Ward is probably a medieval designation for a wider area, a ward being the charge of a warden, who was responsible for collecting local taxes there – we find mention of Hamp being one of the hamlets contributing to the new spire of St Mary’s Church in 1366-7 (BBA, no.238). ‘Dampiet Ward’ (King Street) is a historical parallel, so perhaps ‘ward’ became a designation for a lesser part of a more important road. Also see Browne’s Buildings.
Hamp Ward Cottages: now the site of Quarose Cottage: a set of cottages by the footbridge over the Middlestream Rhyne. Shown and named on the 1889 OS Town Plan, although probably pre-date this by some decades. Not yet built on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map. Unclear when demolished – some parts seem to be cleared on the 1930s OS Map.
Hampstead Drive: 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.
Hampton Close: (modern development, date TBC) One of a series of roads in a new estate to be named after historic palaces. Built over a field called ‘Southovers’ on the Tithe Apportionment Map.
Hampton Terrace: Seem to be c.1860s redevelopment of the old Southgate Almshouses – the rear of the older building can be seen on the Old Taunton Road side. Name of unclear significance – appears on the 1889 OS map.
Harlequin Court: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Presumably named in honour of the carnival club. The Harlequins were formed in 1972 in Ilminster.
Harris’s Court: West Street. A court on the north side of West Street, consisting of three cottages. Not mentioned in the 1841 census. Seem to have been built by the c.1854 Town Plan, and named on the 1889 OS 25″ map. Presumably named after the builder or owner. In the 1871 Census we find a John A. Harris, draper’s assistant, aged 52 living in the house fronting the street. The court was presumably named after him. He does not appear on the 1881 census, so the name seems to have survived him. Still standing in 1935. Gone by 1960.
Hatton Court: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance. Built over a field called Priest Meadow (TAM).
Hawkridge 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. The name means the ridge frequented by a hawk. Built over the old Queenswood (TAM)
Hawthorn Close: Shown on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Haygrove Road: A very old lane leading south of Durleigh Road that connected three farms, terminating at the Durleigh Brook, now sadly truncated by modern development. Called Haygrove Lane on the 1889, 1904 and 1930 OS maps. Haygrove means ‘enclosure in the grove’ indicating it was surrounded by woodland in the early middle ages. Haygrove was the principle agricultural estate of Bridgwater Castle.
Hazelwood Drive: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Heathcombe 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. The name means heath in a valley (Ekwall).
Heather Close: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1967 and 1968 (Town Guide Street Plans). One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Helliers Buildings: See Hilliers Buildings
Herbert’s Court: South of Eastover. Appears on the 1888 OS Town Plan. Presumably named after the owner and/or builder. Still standing on the 1930s OS map.
Herds Walk: Construction started 2018. Part of the New Market redevelopment. Built over the site of the 1935 livestock market. Refers to herds of livestock on their way to market (with thanks to Laura Bailey).
Hestercombe Close: Part of the Cooperative Housing Estate. Showing laid out but unnamed on the 1968 Town Guide plan. One of a series of names on a new estate taken from local villages.
Hew’s Court: See Paine’s Buildings.
*High Street: perhaps the most common street name in England, meaning the town’s principle street. Once part of what was considered the ‘Great Street’ or ‘Great Royal Street’ which ran from the West Gate (Penel Orlieu) to the town Bridge, via the Cornhill, and described as such in the 1260s (BBA, nos 16, 21, 24 and 37). The section now referred to as High Street is first mentioned in 1331 (BBA, no.116), although High Street was also applied to Penel Orlieu in 1295 (BBA, no.38) and Fore Street in 1355 (BBA, no 176). There was once a row of buildings up the High Street from the Cornhill to the Mansion House, known as the Island. The streets either side of this were therefore also called North Street (first mentioned in the 1260s, BBA, no.12) and South Street (first mentioned in 1303, BBA, no.54). Due to the number of butchers working there, the wider area on the north side from the Mansion House eastwards was known as the Shambles (called Shamelis in the Receiver’s Accounts 1372-1466).
Highgrove Close: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). Most of the streets on this estate where named in honour of notable townsfolk. (Exactly Who TBC). Possibly a reference to Prince Charles’ home?
Hillgrove Avenue: See Kidsbury Road
Hillgrove Close: Side lane off Kidsbury Road, preserving an older name for it. Presumably named after the large Hillgrove House, which had been built between the 1889 and 1904 OS maps. There is no older precedent for this name, ‘Hillgrove’ not appearing on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map, when these fields were just ‘three acres’ and ‘four acres’.
Hilliers Buildings: a court off of the west of Monmouth Street, down a small lane. As with most courts presumably named after the builder/owner. Appear on the 1888 OS Town Plan. Demolished in the 1960s (with thanks to Paul Richards). Called Helliers Buildings in the 1937 Whitby Light and Lane Directory.
Hills Court: South of Eastover. Appears on the 1888 OS Town Plan. Presumably named after the owner and/or builder. Still standing on the 1930s OS map.
Holford Road: Part of the cooperative housing estate built by the 1967 Town Guide plan. Extended west on the 1968 Town Guide plan. Shown complete on the 1972 Town Guide plan. One of a series of names on a new estate taken from local villages. Holford means ‘hollow ford’ or ‘ford in a deep valley (Ekwall). Built over the old Queenswood (TAM)
Hollow Lane: Wembdon. Three explanations are possible. The story the author was told as a child was that the lane was literally hollow because of the tunnel passing below the side-lane for the adjoining quarry. The second explanation is that the lane is a ‘Holloway’, a ‘hollow’ (sunken) ‘weg’ (path). Holloways can be found throughout Britain and many had their origins as substantial pre-historic estate boundaries. This is more than possible with Hollow Lane. Although not quite as sunken as Moore’s Lane, Hollow Lane does not particularly lead anywhere – it has two sharp left and right junctions at its bottom, suggesting its primary purpose was as boundary and only used as a trackway as an afterthought – and it neatly divides the north of Wembdon hill into two. The third possible meaning of the name is Hollow as in Holy (think Hallow’s Eve/Halloween). Whereas Moore’s Lane leads to Skimmerton Lane at the top of the hill, Hollow Lane reaches the summit at the old Holy Well (also called the Hollowell or St John’s Well). The Hollow Lane might have been some sort of holy route leading to the holy well – either in medieval or even pre-historic times, depending on when the well became important for the community, which is unknown for certain. The springs at Bath, Wells and Glastonbury were sacred for thousands of years pagan and Christian, and Wembdon may have been similar in this pattern (Wembdon)
Holly Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
Hollyhock Close: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Holmes’ Buildings: 51 St Mary Street. Two or three cottages behind St Mary Street, two surviving today. Presumably named after the builder or owner. They appear on the c.1854 Town Plan, and are named on the 1887 OS Town Plan.
Homberg Way: The Northern Distributor Road (or NDR), built in the years around 2001. Named after the town in Germany that Bridgwater is twinned with.
Honeysuckle Alley: Also See Clare Terrace. Honeysuckle will refer to the plant, which presumably grew in the area before it was more intensively developed. For most of the middle ages and early modern period, the areas further away from the High Street were occupied by gardens and only a few cottages. Possibly of medieval origin, but mostly seems to be of early nineteenth century creation. Seems half existed in the 1810s Town Plan. First named in the 1841 census. Shown complete on the 1854 Town Plan. Straightened in 1885 to create a straight line between Clare Street and Market Street. The east side demolished in 1904 ad thereafter referred to as Clare Terrace. Remaining houses demolished in 1930, the road itself swept away in 1982 for the Angel Place Shopping centre.
Hopewell Street: Post 2009 Jam Factory redevelopment. Unclear Significance: Some streets on this estate took nautical names associated with the River Parrett?
Hornbeam Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, each named after trees types.
*Horsey Lane: Horsey is a very ancient settlement, and is Old English for ‘Horse Island’ (Ekwall) recalling a time when it was either an island in the marsh, or an island between channels of the River Parrett. There was a prosperous village here with its own chapel in the middle ages, but was eventually deserted. Horsey Lane originally ran towards the river and Horsey Pill, being bound on each side by Rhynes to help drainage, later being sliced in two by the Bristol Road and Bristol and Exeter Railway.
*Horsepond Lane: The oldest recorded named street in Bridgwater, first mentioned on 6 February 1268 (BBA, no.14). Probably laid out in 1200 with the rest of the medieval street plan, and possibly the name for the rest of Friarn Street before that name caught on after the establishment of the Friary in 1246, in similar manner of Dampiet Street referring to the dam at the bottom of Blake Street. Originally rendered as ‘Wayhure’, which was interchangeable with Horse-pond or Horse-pool, essentially a pool on the Durleigh Brook and somewhere for the townsfolk to water their horses. The opposite side of Durleigh Brook was later the site of a tannery.
Hughes Close: (later extension of Sydenham – late 20th c. – brownfield redevelopment? – date TBC) Name of unknown significance, presumably in honour of a local dignitary. Appears to be allotments on the 1946 RAF survey.
Hutching’s Buildings, Mount Street: 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 Thomas Hutchings, a builder who also built College House on North Street (now the garage), the Dome on the Market House and the National Provincial Bank on the Cornhill (Squibbs, no.79 with a picture of Hutchings). Still standing on the 1930 OS Map, but demolished by the time of the 1948 RAF photographic survey. Presumably demolished along with the Cattle Market in about 1935 for the new Cinema building.
Hutching’s Buildings, North Street: A second row of cottages called Hutching’s Buildings stood behind his home, College House on North Street. These were standing by at least 1839, when a murder took place there (Leamington Spa Courier, 26 January 1839). Eight in total on the 1854 Town Plan, although this is five by the 1887 Town Plan. Access seems to have been by Mount Lane by 1887, although possibly via North Street prior to this. Shown on the 1854 Town Plan and named on the 1887 OS Town Plan. Still standing in 1957 (Britain from Above EAW051173). Presumably demolished when College House was redeveloped into a garage.
Hutching’s Row, Albert Street: A row of eight cottages adjoining the Wesleyan burial ground. Named on the 1889 25” OS map. The burial ground was laid out in about 1830. The land of both row and burial ground had been combined on the 1810s Town Plan (at which time it was a garden with cottage). We might assume that Thomas Hutchings, builder, helped the Wesleyans with land for their burial ground, and then he redeveloped the rest of the land at a similar time.