Street names of Bridgwater beginning with the letter P.
Paine’s Court: West Street. Three cottages built at the end of the garden plot of properties on the north east side of West Street, with three more behind the house on the street. Doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the 1841 Census. Backed onto Southbourne Terrace (of North Street), although not apparently accessed from there. Not on the 1854 Town Plan, but apparent and named on the 1887 25″ OS Town Plan. No one called Paine living there in the 1871 or 1881 census. Called No. 4 Court in the 1937 Whitby Light and Lane Directory. Not in the 1960 Kelly’s Directory.
Palm Tree Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map.
Palmer 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 development were named after Bridgwater worthies. Louis H. Palmer was Mayor of Bridgwater in 1938 (with thanks to Laura Bailey).
Park Avenue: Shown in the 1939 Town Guide and east of Quantock Avenue largely complete on the 1946 RAF photographic survey. Built over a field called ‘Parks’ (TAM). Presumably the site of a hunting park in the middle ages: not a park in the modern sense.
Park Road: Begun by 1904 OS map, extended by 1930 leading to the Girls’ Grammar School Shown in the 1939 Town Guide leading to the County School for Girls. Built over fields called ‘Parks’ (TAM). Presumably the site of a hunting park in the middle ages: not a park in the modern sense.
Parkstone Avenue: Name of unknown significance. Possibly a significant rock in part of the park of Hamp House, or named after the builder. Field just called ‘Roadside’ on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map, still a field on the 1888 OS map. The four south east houses had been built by the 1904 OS map, and no change is shown on the 1930 OS map. The rest of the road was presumably built soon after. Road appears in the 1939 Town Guide: shown complete, aside from the south west portion, on the 1948 RAF photographic survey. The extension also resulted in the demolition of a house on Taunton Road, to improve access.
Parkstone Terrace: 150-192 Taunton Road. Built between the 1891 and 1901 census, along with the first phase of Parkstone Avenue.
Parkway: Not shown in the 1939 Town Guide plan, although other parts of the Sydenham estate are shown. Early northern stage shown under construction on the 1946 RAF aerial photographic survey. Complete as far as the secondary school by 1953, the southern portion shown under construction at that time. (BFA: EAW051177) Secondary School opened 1963 (Squibbs). Completed by 1971 (Town Guide). Name of unclear significance.
Parrett Way: Colley Lane Industrial Estate. This was one of the first new roads, laid out c.1965, extended over the years and complete by 1974 (Town Guide, 1965, p.61; Town Guides, 1968, 1974). The exact meaning of the name Parrett is a mystery.
Pathfinder Terrace: Built over an orchard. Open fields on the 1888 and 1904 OS maps. Terrace shown built by the 1930 OS map. The Pathfinder was a Nova Scotia built ocean-going clipper-barque ship of 800 tons, fitted out in February 1852 in Bridgwater for Axford & Sons. It was to convey passengers directly between Bridgwater and New York. Its first voyage took 130 emigrants, captained by William Loveless (Squibbs’ History, p.75). Only a couple of voyages were apparently attempted. In 1855 the ship was sold to a firm in Liverpool. She was lost in 1864 (Nick Gould). Apparently the terrace was named after the ship by the builder who had emigrated on it, but subsequently returned to Bridgwater (with thanks to Pete Davey, who was told by Mr Nicholls)
Peace Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC). Presumably named after Alfred Peace 1845-1912, Merchant and Mayor, and one of the prime movers behind bringing the Somerset and Dorset Railway to Bridgwater.
Peach Tree Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map.
Pear Tree Close: Shown on the 1972 Town Guide plan. One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Built over an orchard.
Pearl 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).
Pelham Court: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC). Name of unknown significance. Marsh on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map.
Pembroke Road: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans) Names of unknown significance, although several in this area are named after British counties.
Penarth Road: Shown in the 1939 Town Guide and largely complete on the 1946 RAF photographic survey. Presumably named after the Welsh town.
Penel Street: See Market Street.
*Penel Orlieu: Once part of what was considered the ‘Great Street’ or ‘Great Royal Street’ which ran from the West Gate (now the junction of Penel Orlieu and Broad Street) to the town Bridge, via the Cornhill, and described as such in the 1260s to 1290s (BBA, nos 16, 21, 24 and 37). Even called High Street in 1295 (BBA, no.38). Called High Street in 1655 (D/b/bw 1293-1300). More commonly, this area was often named in relation to the West Gate, ie ‘within the West Gate‘ in 1291 (BBA, no.33.). A cattle market was held here by the end of the fourteenth century at least, and the area was known as ‘Le Orfaire‘ by 1399 (BBA, no.492). This market was held here until 1935. The medieval market had a market cross, which became known as ‘Pig Cross’ by 1610, presumably as pigs were sold here alongside cattle (Lawrence, p.33). Powell’s Ancient Borough of Bridgwater (p.297) follows Charles Pooley’s Old Stone Crosses of Somerset (p.74) in suggesting that ‘the ‘pig’ here comes from the cross being on the boundary of the estate of horsey pigen/pignes/pegenes. However, Horsey and Pignes (Horse Island and possibly Pig Ridge) were to the north east of the town, so this seems to be a coincidence (with thanks to Jon White). The area is called Pig Cross on the 1735 Stratchey Map. The name Penel Orlieu was originally used to refer to the broad (and vague) meeting points of medieval Pynel’s Street (now Market Street) and Horlocke’s/Ordlof’s Street (now Clare), which included parts of what is now High Street. Connected to Mount Street between 1974 and 1978 (Town Guide Plans). Part of Clare Street, behind the Town Hall, was referred to as Penel Orlieu in September 1831. There seems to have been an effort to call what is now Penel Orlieu ‘West End‘ for a time – the earliest reference being about 1883, the latest about 1911 (with thanks to Jill Tretheway)
Penfield Place: See Monmouth Terrace
Penlea Avenue: Named after the adjoining Penlea House of c.1850. How old the name is is unclear: on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map the land is just called ’15 acres’, which adjoined ‘Higher 6 Acres’ and ‘Hamp Wood’. It could be an old name for this area, or else just a name made up for the house, possibly meant to evoke somewhere like ‘Penlee’ in Cornwall. If the name is local then it might mean something like Pen/Enclosure in the Leigh/Clearing in Old English, if its taken from Penlee in Cornwall it means something like ‘head of light’ in Old Welsh. The road itself is much older than the 1940s housing (the estate in the process of being laid out in the 1946 RAF photographic survey), shown on the 1888 OS maps leading from Rhode Lane to provide access to a field (called ‘Little Pocock’s Tail’ in the 1840s – TAM) and the stables of Penlea House.
Penlea Close: Part of the stable and service yard of old Penlea House (see above).
Pennycress Way: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Penzoy Avenue: This is a very old part of the Old Westonzoyland Road, which included Salmon Lane, then a section of Colley Lane that was cut in two by the railway line. Called ‘Old Westonzoyland Lane’ on the 1889 OS Map, leading to Foundry Farm. Called ‘Old Westonzoyland Road’ on the 1904 OS map, Foundry Farm now being called Bridge Farm. Finally Penzoy Avenue on the 1930 OS map, by which time the northern row of houses had been built. The southern side had been built by the 1946 RAF survey. At this time the road was a cul-de-sac. Penzoy refers to a place on the Levels, part of the ‘zoy’ series of names, ‘pen’ probably coming from an Old English word for enclosure. See Weston Zoyland Road for the ‘zoy’ element.
Peridot Close: Modern Little Sydenham Estate, post 2006 – date TBC. Name of unclear significance. Built over a field called ‘Yonder Thirty Acres, as opposed to ‘Hither Thirty Acres’, presumably in relation to Cockpit Farm. (TAM).
Perry Green: Wembdon. A very ancient trackway, with evidence for prehistoric settlement here. This lane probably represents the limit of livable land before the marshland between here and the River Parrett. The name means place of pear trees (or literally, it’s quite pear-y here) (Ekwall)
Petrel Close: (modern development – date TBC?) One of a group of names remembering Bridgwater ships, including Irene, Rosevean and Severn. The Petrel was a steam paddle tug, built in 1863 and served until 1866 (Reference Index p.34). A Petrel is a type of seabird. Built over fields called Pill’s or Poll’s Door on the Tithe Apportionment Map.
Phillips Close: Modern, date to be confirmed. Built over the site of the Girl’s Grammar School, which was built between 1904 and 1930. In turn built over a field called ‘Parks’ (see Park Avenue). Along with Furze and Nicholls, this street was named after a former teacher/headmaster of the school. A Philips was a Latin teacher at the school for some time (with thanks to Molly Warren and Dawn Ferguson).
Phoebe Walk: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance.
Pig Cross: See Penel Orlieu.
Pine Tree Close: Built 1975, completed by December that year (with thanks to Colin Robert Heath). Shown on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map.
The Pippins: Wembdon. Built over ‘Cross Acre Orchard’, which appears on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map. Name presumably refers to the type of desert apple.
Plum Lane: Somerset Bridge. An old lane, appears on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map leading from Dunwear Lane to the Dunwear Brick and Tile Works and named on the 1889 OS map. The southern loop is suggested on both maps, going between the brickyard buildings. Presumably named after adjoining orchards, a number of cottages on the north side are shown on the 1840s map.
Plum Tree Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map.
Polden Street: South portion appears to have begun by the 1851 Round Map, although little sign of development on the 1875 Hawksley Map. Presumably complete by 1860, when Wellington Street was laid out (Bridgwater Mercury 4 April 1860). Appears on the 1883 Whitby Directory plan. Takes its name from the nearby Polden Hills.
Pollard Road: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC). Pollarding is a practive whereby Willow Trees are stripped back to the trunk so the branches can be used in weaving and construction. However, this road is probably named in honour of Henry W. Pollard, mayor of Bridgwater in 1893, 1894, 1895, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1910 and 1911. Partially built over the site of Bower Farm.
Poole’s Row: See North Street Terrace
Popham Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) Named after a local worthy, although exactly who TBC. The Pophams were a notable local landholding family, and one of them was General-at-Sea alongside Blake. Built over a field called ‘Barnes’s’.
Poplar Road: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment map.
Poppy Walk: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Portland Place: Wembdon: Unclear significance, possibly a reference to Portland Cement, which was pioneered in Bridgwater. ‘Hills Meadow’ on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map. Show built on the 1889 OS Town Plan.
Positano Court: NDR development, under construction in 2006. One of a series of names taken from places in Italy.
Potterton Close: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). This street is named after Bridgwater’s first female mayor, Mrs Alice Bertha Potterton, Mayor in 1959 and 1960.
Preece’s Court: 53 St Mary Street. A row of eight or nine cottages running the length of an old burgage plot. Presumably named after the builder or owner. Appear on the c.1854 Town Plan, and named on the 1887 OS Town Plan. Called ‘number 3 court St Mary Street’ in the 1901 census. Still standing on the 1930 OS Map, but are not mentioned in the 1938 Whitby Directory. Possibly also known as Denner’s Buildings.
Prices Lane: Takes its name from Price’s Buildings, a row of cottages adjoining the Lime Kilt Inn, presumably named after their builder, although called Lime Kiln Terrace on the 1889 OS town plan. The lane is shown on the same plan, running alongside a long shed of the Salmon Lane Brick and Tile Works. Although the site of brick kilns at this time, lime working is noted ont he site on the 1840 Tithe Apportionment Map.
Pricket’s Lane: See Market Street
Primrose Walk: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Priory Court: A 1996 development, built over the grounds of ‘The Priory’. Bridgwater never had a medieval priory, this name was concocted in the late nineteenth century to re-brand the large house here. Until 1892 the house was called ‘the Mansion House in St Mary Street’, although this had caused some confusion with the nearby Mansion House Inn on the High Street. The core of the house was built circe 1703, when Dr John Allen bought three properties and pulled them down for this building, which originally fronted Little St Mary Street. The house was extended by his son Benjamin, then transformed in turn by his son, Jeffreys Allen, who turned the house back-to-front and built a high wall along St Mary Street. This building was purchased by the Rural District Council in 1936 and used until the formation of Sedgemoor District Council in 1974. It was then left vacant before being converted into flats (Lawrence).
Provident Place: Designed in May 1845 by Edwin Down (Gibson A\CMY/3), at the time the street was unnamed. Built as good-quality workers cottages by prominent members of the Unitarian Congregation. Built over land called ‘Tom’s Close’ on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map. When first built this street was surrounded by open fields.
Purley Drive: Modern Bower estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map.
Pynel Street: See Market Street.
Pyrland Walk: Cooperative housing estate, built between the 1971 and 1972 Town Guide plans. Named after the Somerset village, as several streets on this part of the estate are.