Street names in Bridgwater beginning with the letter ‘S’.
Sable Drive: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance.
Salerno Court: NDR development, under construction in 2006. One of a series of names taken from places in Italy.
*Salmon Parade: Called Salmon Lane by the 1810s, previously ‘the road to Somerton’ in 1735. Referred to as ‘the road to Western Zoyland’ in 1770 (Somerset Heritage Centre D/B/bw/CL/81). Named after the Salmon Inn, next door to the Infirmary, which later expanded over the Inn site in about 1862 (Squibbs no.47) The Inn was in turn named after the Salmon [nets] which were set up along the Parrett. Still called Salmon Lane on the 1819 Town Plan. Called Salmon Parade by the 1889 OS map. Seems to have been called Salmon Parade by 1854 (Somerset Heritage Centre DD/X/DAE/1-2)
*Salmon Lane: This name was once applied to what is now Salmon Parade, then the dog leg before reaching the Old Westonzoyland Road. By 1889 Salmon Lane included the part at right-angles to the river, then the turn south, then the turn east (now Colley Lane) and this continued to the 1930 OS map. Straightened c.1965 (1965 Town Guide, p.61)
Saltlands: First mentioned in October 1371 ‘Saltelond’ (BBA, no.266). Presumably refers to how this land regularly flooded with salt water from the Parrett. A brickyard was here by the 1840s (TAM), and ‘Saltlands House’ appears on the 1889 OS map. The modern road is built over the house’s garden. Modern development, presumably 1950s or 1960s.
Saltlands Avenue: An old track, appears on the 1840s Tithe Apportioment Map. Divided the Crowpill brickyard from and Saltlands House. Houses built on the south side by 1904, when it is called ‘Avenue Road’. Likewise 1930s OS map. Called Saltlands Avenue in the 1961 Town Guide.
Samphire Walk: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Sandford Hill: Takes its name from the sandy ford over the Perrymoor Brook, which also gives its name to the nearby Farm and deserted medieval village. Sandford is the name for the west part of Wembdon Hill: it being named in three sections, Sandford in the west, Mount Radford in the middle and Wembdon in the east. The ford had been bridged by the time of the 1889 OS map.
Sand Mews: Modern NDR development, post dates 2006. Name of unclear significance. Built over a field call Musgraves (TAM).
Sandalwood Ride : Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Presumably named after the type of tree.
Sandown Close: Shown newly built on the 1974 Town Guide plan. Partially built over the site of Hamp House. Possibly named after the racecourse, along with Chepstow Avenue and Ludlow Close (with thanks to Laura Bailey).
Sandpiper Close: See below.
Sandpiper Road: 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.
Sandringham 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.
Sapphire Drive: 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 ‘Yonder Thirty Acres, as opposed to ‘Hither Thirty Acres’, presumably in relation to Cockpit Farm. (TAM).
Sauneye Way: Post 2009 Jam Factory redevelopment. Name of unclear significance. Some streets on this estate took nautical names associated with the River Parrett?
Savannah Drive: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Presumably named after the area of Africa.
Saviano Way: NDR development, complete by 2006. One of a series of names taken from places in Italy.
Saxon Green: Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177) Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. The Saxons are one of the peoples who make up the English, who arrived in Britain in the centuries following the Roman withdrawal. Bridgwater was part of the Kingdom of the West Saxons from around 658-692 until it transformed into the Kingdom of England under King Athelstane.
Saxon Road: Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177) Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Partially built over an orchard. See Saxon Green.
Saxony Place: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Named after the region in Germany.
Scragg’s Buildings: See Mount Terrace.
Sealy’s Buildings: See Victoria Terrace (4 to 14 Rhode Lane)
Sedge 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. (Exactly Who TBC)
Sedgemoor Road: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). Named after the local district, which means the moor or marsh belonging to a man called Sicga (Eckwall).
Selworthy Close: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). Name of unclear significance.
Senna Close: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Severn Close: (modern development – date TBC?) One of a group of names remembering Bridgwater ships, including Irene, Rosevean and Petrel. The Severn was a Trow, built in 1830 and survived until 1936 when it was hulked at Combwich (Reference Index p.36) Built over fields called Pill’s or Poll’s Door on the Tithe Apportionment Map.
Seymour Road: Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Built over a field called ‘Poor Ground’ in the 1840s (TAM). Presumably named after the Seymour Dukes of Somerset.
Shearwater Close: Westonzoyland Road Estate, not yet built in 1968, but presumably very soon after (Town Guide, 1968). Built over a field called ‘Pit Close’ in the 1840s (TAM). Presumably named after the bird type, one of the Petrel family.
Shellthorn Grove: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). Presumably refers to Shelthorne near Broomfield, although spelled with two ls. Possibly named after a local worthy like other streets on this estate.
Shepherds Close: Wembdon. Built by 1972 (Town Guide, 1972). Presumably a name with no more meaning that it sounds pleasant (unless named after someone called Shepherd. Built over an orchard.
Sheridan Close: Modern Dunwear Lane development. Name of unclear significance. Built over an orchard.
Shervage Court: Still open fields in 1953 (BFA: EAW051177) Shown on the 1967 Town Guide Plan. Name of unclear significance.
Shetland Court: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance, Shetland is a group of Islands in the far north of Scotland, although this may refer to the type of pony. Built over a field called Priest Meadow (TAM).
Shire Street: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. A shire is the older name for ‘county’. Possibly a reference to the type of horse here.
Showground Way: Modern, date TBC. Mostly built by 2006.
Sibley’s Buildings: Tucked between Bristol Road and Bath Road, although also called Bryant’s Buildings. Shown on the 1889 OS map, before the construction of Melborne Place. Sibley and Bryant will have either built or owned these houses.
Sika Walk: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance.
Silver Street: Called ‘twixt the parish church and the Friars Minor’ in 1330 (BBA, no 114). Apparently the name Silver Street does not seem to occur before 1730 (Lawrence). Assumed to refer to the Silversmith’s trade.
Silverdale Close: Wembdon. Built by 1972 (Town Guide, 1972). Other names in this development had Cumbrian or north western origins, such as Risedale, Brantwood and Grasmere. Unclear relationship to Wembdon.
Simmmental Street: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Possibly named after the breed of cow.
Skimmerton Lane: Wembdon. Skimmerton sounds like a placename, possibly the Skinner’s farmstead, although nowhere of that name now exists. Some fields near the end of the lane near Durleigh have the name Skimmerton, which were between Queenswood Lane and Skimmerton Lane (TAM), and this may indicate a deserted medieval village. Alternatively, a ‘Skimmington’ was a route where cuckolded husbands would be ritually processed out of a village and dumped in a pond (Wembdon).
Smalens Close: Stockmoor Estate, built 2009. Named after a type of French cow – many of the streets on this estate are named after types of livestock (with thanks to Gary Tucker).
Snowberry Close: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Several streets on this estate are named after berry types. Built over a field called ‘Long Rap’ (TAM).
Somerset Gardens: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). Named after the county – several streets on this estate take their name from British shires.
Somerset Place (Market Street): A small court between Mount Terrace and Hutchings Buildings. Appears on the c.1854 Town Plan and 1888 OS Town Plan. Still standing on the 1930 OS Map, but demolished by the time of the 1948 RAF photographic survey. The exact significance of the name is unclear, aside from referring to the county.
Somerset Place (Somerset Bridge): A row of four cottages on the riverside, just east of Somerset Bridge. They appear to have been built as part of the Somerset Yard Brick and Tile Works, so were presumably workers cottages. Presumably named after the brickyard. They appear on the 1888 OS map, and seem to be shown built on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map. The adjoining brickyard appears to have been demolished by the time of the 1946 RAF photographic survey.
Somerset Road: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). Named after the county – several streets on this estate take their name from British shires.
Somerton Close: Later phase of the Sydenham estate, date TBC, probably 1970s. Named after the Somerset town, the farmstead used in the Summer (Ekwall).
Somerville Way: Dunwear lane development, date TBC. Built over a large orchard. Name of unclear significance.
Sorrel Drive: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after a type of plant.
Sorrento Mews: NDR development, complete by 2006. One of a series of names taken from places in Italy.
*South Bridge: Also called Lyme Bridge (BBA, no.297). Probably a bridge over the Durleigh Brook outside of the South Gate in St Mary Street. First mentioned. Frog Lane (now covered over by Blake Gardens) was described as leading to Lyme Bridge.
Southborne Terrace (Old Taunton Road): a terrace still standing consisting of 6 to 16 Old Taunton Road. The front gardens follow the line of the old Middlestream Rhyne. Not yet built on the 1854 Town Plan, or the 1875 Plan. Shown complete on the 1888 OS Town Plan. The significance of the name is unclear.
Southborne Terrace (North Street): a row of cottages extending behind numbers 3 and 3a North Street. Not yet built on the 1854 Town Plan, although one building on the plot seems to have stood at that time. The full terrace appears on the 1889 OS map. The significance of the name is unclear.
Southlea Gardens: Post 2006 Willstock Estate, date TBC. Named after the house South Lea, itself built sometime between 1904 and 1930.
*Southgate: The name given to the stretch of St Mary Street between the junctions with Friarn and Dampiet and south to the actual South Gate and a little beyond. Named as such on the 1735 Stratchey Map, the 1819 Town Plan, the 1840s Town Plan, but out of use by the time of the 1889 OS maps. Of the South Gate itself, Jarman (1889) says: “South Gate stood in the lower part of St. Mary-street, near Holy Trinity Vicarage, on the town side of the little brook ; a butcher’s shop now occupies the exact spot of one of the sides. Loads of hay coming from Taunton-road could scarcely pass underneath, and the gateway was ultimately abolished. The immediate cause of its demolition was that one Sunday morning a quantity of gunpowder was found in some of the fissures of the structure, and it was feared that some miscreants intended blowing it up, to prevent which it was taken down. There were three archways to each of the four gates, similar to old Temple Bar, a large one in the centre for vehicles and a small one on either side for pedestrians. They are stated to have been of very massive construction, as befitted the stirring, troublous times when they were needed.” The South Gate was first mentioned around 1341, although is certainly older (BBA, no.129; Somerset Heritage Centre D/B/bw/696). This document also mentions a ‘place’ without the South Gate called ‘Rekkehei’ which is a mystery.
Southgate Avenue: named after Southgate House, the name given to the Taunton Road Turnpike Toll House. That was in turn named after the town’s medieval South Gate (see above), although being some fair distance from that older structure. Originally this was just the dog-leg in Old Taunton Road, probably built 1829-30 to join it to the new: the old Taunton Road probably continued past what is now the back of the toll house before that time. The first part of the terrace, of eight houses in the south west portion, was built sometime before the 1904 OS Maps. The road’s eastward extension, and the north and south eastern terraces were complete by the 1930 OS map.
Sovereign Road: (Modern Development, date TBC) Part of a grouping of Bridgwater ship names (Irene, Severn, Petrel and Rosevean), so possibly a reference to the Sovereign of the Seas, a huge warship associated with General at Sea Robert Blake. Built over fields called Pill’s or Poll’s Door on the Tithe Apportionment Map.
*Spaxton Road: The continuation of Durleigh Road west, the road to Spaxton. A very old trackway. Spaxton probably means ‘the councillor’s farmstead’, ie a property given by the king to one of his councillors (Ekwall).
Spencer Close: Dunwear Lane development. Partly built over Follett’s Farm. Name of unclear significance.
Spillers Close: First appears on the 1978 Town Guide Plan. Presumably named after the Spiller Sisters, noted philanthropic ladies who lived in Sunnybank, Hamp. The pond at the end of this street is an old cow pit, from when this land was pasture.
Spoonbill Road: 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.
Springfield Avenue: Modern, first shown on the 1955 Town Guide Plan. Name of unclear significance, possibly just a pleasant name.
Springley Road: Modern Bower development, date TBC. Name of unclear significance. Marshland on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map.
The Square: An alternate name for King Square (see that entry). In use in the 1880s at least (Somerset County Gazette 24 March 1883)
Squibbers Way: Completed in 2019, connecting Stockmoor to the Colley Lane Industrial estate. The name was put up for public vote, 2,728 people voted and Squibbers Way won with 59% of the vote, and celebrates the town’s tradition of Squibbing at each carnival. ‘Squib’ is an old work for firework, and outside of Bridgwater is only really known through the phrase ‘damp squib’. Second in the vote was Brickyard Way with 19%, which would have commemorated the old brickyard on this site, the ruins of which were removed during development. The contractors on the new road were Whitemountain. Construction included two new bridges: Crossways Bridge over the canal and Somerset Bridge over the Parrett, which at 52 metres long is the longest single span bridge in Somerset.
Squibbs Close: Modern Bower development, date TBC. Named in honour of one of the Squibbs dynasty, of town councillors, possibly Philip J. Squibbs, who was a noted Bridgwater historian. Built over a field called ‘Pig Acre’, part of the Bower Farm complex.
St Davids Court: One of a series of closes named after saints off Somerville Way, part of the late 20th century Dunwear Lane development (date TBC). St David is the patron saint of Wales.
St James Court: One of a series of closes named after saints off Somerville Way, part of the late 20th century Dunwear Lane development (date TBC). Perhaps unknown to the developers, there was a chapel dedicated to St James within the medieval church of St Mary’s in Bridgwater.
St John Street: Probably laid out in 1836, after the passing of the Bristol and Exeter Railway Act that permitted the building of a railway that would run past Bridgwater. The new street would run over old farmland from Eastover to the new station. The road had been laid out at least by 1837, the year the Mariners’ Chapel was built. By 1839 there was the street’s first in, ‘The Three Queens’ (although exactly where is not clear). The railway station opened in 1841. (Squibbs) The name refers to St John’s Hospital, which stood near the East Gate. Some ruins survived until the creation of the road, which was built over them.
St Marks Court: One of a series of closes named after saints off Somerville Way, part of the late 20th century Dunwear Lane development (date TBC). Probably unknown to the developers, a freestanding chapel to St Mark stood within Bridgwater Castle, somewhere near the present site of Castle Street.
*St Mary Street: The way to St Mary’s Church. First mentioned in 1298 (BBA, no.45). A ‘Y’ shaped street, stretching from the South Gate round to the Cornhill, with a portion running towards Penel Orlieu (Little St Mary Street). The portion south of Friarn/Dampiet junction often called South Gate, as in 1341 (BBA, no.129, also see the 1735 Stratchey Map).
*St Matthews Field: (or ‘Fairfield’) takes its name from the medieval fair held there, which was held on St Matthew’s day on 21 September. This particular fair was first mentioned in 1249 and was the second annual fair allowed to the town. It was principally for the sale of sheep and originally held inside the town, probably on the Cornhill. Outgrowing its original home, the fair moved to the Fairfield by 1404 and has been held there ever since.
St Matthews Green: Takes its name from St Matthew’s Field. Modern West Street redevelopment, opened on 4 April 1959. Designed by the Borough Architect’s Office, led by J.D. Blacklock and built by J.D. Standerwood and Sons, landscaping by A.W. Porter & Sons. This was laid out as 12 bungalows, 8 flats and a common hall, built by the Borough Council to house the elderly. A warden lived on the estate and she was responsible for the welfare of the residents. Each dwelling had a button connected to the warden’s house to ring a bell in case of illness or emergency. The first warden was a Mrs Dumphy, whose old home had been demolished by the borough (Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 4 April 1959 also see here) Later extended, possibly 1980s, with a private(?) cul-de-sac. The rise in ground level for the bungalows is probably spoil from digging the canal.
St Pauls Court: One of a series of closes named after saints off Somerville Way, part of the late 20th century Dunwear Lane development (date TBC).
St Peters Court: One of a series of closes named after saints off Somerville Way, part of the late 20th century Dunwear Lane development (date TBC).
St Saviours Avenue: Named after St Saviour’s House, Taunton Road. The House adjoined the Durleigh Brook, and the site is now occupied by the Blake Hall and Biddiscombes: part of the back wall of the old house survivies and can be seen on Blake Street. The Avenue was built on the tree lined walk in the House grounds and was designed by Alexander Joseph Cory Scoles (1844 – 1920). He had a hand in setting up the open-air pool on the other side of the Avenue (See Squibbs pp.100-1). The house was named after the chapel of St Saviour, which stood where the Old Taunton Road meets the River Parrett. The house was built upon the land attached to the chapel, albeit at the other end. (chapel details – and page for website). Holy Trinity Parish Hall here was built in 1892 (Bygone Bridgwater, p.26).
St Thomas Court: One of a series of closes named after saints off Somerville Way, part of the late 20th century Dunwear Lane development (date TBC).
Stafford Road: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). One of a number of names taken after counties of Britain. Mostly built over Great Dunwear Field.
Standish Street: Under construction in 2006. Part of the NDR/Western Way development. Name of unclear significance. Built over part of the Saltlands Brick and Tile Works – mostly clay pits.
Stanley Close: Part of the Wills Road ‘Quantock View’ Estate, which was being built from at least 1986 onwards (see Wills Road). Most streets in this estate were name after Bridgwater worthies. This name was put forward by Mick Briscombe, named after E.J. Stanley, MP for Bridgwater 1885-1905 (with thanks to Brian Smedley).
Stanley Terrace: Bristol Road, east side. Built sometime after the 1886 OS map. It is unclear who this is named after – possibly E.J. Stanley, MP for Bridgwater 1885-1905 – possibly Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904) who famously went looking for David Livingstone in 1871.
Steam Packet Terrace: Modern – date TBC, built over the site of the old Steam Packet Inn, St John Street. The name refers to the ‘Packet Trade‘. The Inn’s first recorded landlord is mentioned in 1866, it closed in 1958.
Steers Close: Construction started 2018. Part of the New Market redevelopment. Built over the site of the 1935 livestock market. Name refers to this.
Stockmoor Close: Stock Moor is the name for the low lying ground between Hamp and North Petherton. This close is modern infill on land along the Taunton Road (date TBC). The name means the moor (or marsh), although the Stock element is harder to define. It originally just meant ‘place’ but could refer to a monastry (so is this the moor belonging to the monastery, ie Athelney?) or cattle farm, so the moor of the cattle farm(Ekwall).
Stockmoor Drive: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Named after the marshland it was built over.
Stratton Close: Dunwear Lane Estate, date TBC. Name of unknown significance. Built over a field called ‘Stoles’ (TAM).
Suffolk Close: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). The names of this part of the estate tend to derive from British counties. Built over a field called ‘Little Longland’ (TAM).
Sully Close: Modern Bower estate, date TBC. Built over fields adjoining Bower Farm. The name presumably refers to George Bryant Sully, a noted coal merchant and ship broker, who served as mayor of Bridgwater.
Sultan Court: Post 2006 Stockmoor Estate, date TBC. Name of unclear significance, presumably just a grand name.
Sunnybank Road: Named after and built over Sunny Bank House, a grand villa built in the 1850s by Mr Browne and home for many years to the Spiller Sisters. The house had been demolished and the new housing estate shown under construction on the 1946 RAF aerial photographic survey. The name is a simple name, probably chosen by Mr Browne when he built the house. In the 1840s this was an open field with no particular name, which adjoined Hamp Wood to the north (TAM).
Sunnymead: Shown under construction on the 1946 RAF aerial photographic survey. The name means ‘the sunny meadow’ and is riffing on Sunnybank, the name of a grand Victorian house which was nearby. Built over the site of Hamp Wood on the 1840s Tithe Apportionment Map.
Sussex Avenue: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). One of a number of names taken after counties of Britain. Built over Home Field and Kennell Field (TAM).
Sussex Close: Westonzoyland Road Estate, laid out and built between 1961 and 1967 (Town Guide Street Plans). One of a number of names taken after counties of Britain. Built partially over the orchard of Bridge Farm.
Sycamore Close: (late 20th c. Bower development – date TBC) One of a series of streets in a development, mostly named after trees types and flora.
Sydenham Close: Still fields on the 1946 RAF photographic survey. Complete by 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Built over a field called ‘Poor Ground’ in the 1840s (TAM). Named as a continuation of Sydenham Road on the opposite side of Parkway.
Sydenham Road: Not on 1939 Town Guide plan. Shown under construction on the 1946 RAF aerial photographic survey. Complete by 1953 (BFA: EAW051177). Takes its name from the nearby manor of Sydenham, centred on the old manor house, the name meaning ‘the wide ham’, ham being the root of the words for Hamp, Hamlet and Home, meaning settlement.