streetsofbowdon.co.uk
Devisdale Road
Where is it?
Devisdale Road was laid down c. 1860 at the time the seventh Earl of Stamford started selling off parcels of the Dunham estate for development.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7583 8766
what3words ref.: ///calculating.wheels.trade
Date of photography: 22 November 2020
Chomlea
This was originally the rear of "Chomlea", viewed from just inside what is now its main entrance on Devisdale Road. The mansion has been split into apartments. The block at the far end is newish (mid-1980s).
A general view of Devisdale Road from close to the junction with Dunham Road. Just out of sight on the left is the Garden of Remembrance and the war memorial.
Hurst Dale
"Hurst Dale" was built c. 1875 for Henry Dickinson, a merchant. One unusual feature of this rather gaudy building is its small, unimpressive front door (just visible in the photo). The house is mentioned in Pevsner, and is now given over to apartments.
Kempton
"Kempton" is a new build from c. 2010. It stands in the what were once the expansive grounds of "Hill Carr". The site was until the above date occupied by two undistinguished 60s-style detached houses, which were demolished to make way for this new dwelling.
The rear entrance to the former gardens of "Chomlea". The main entrance to the mansion, which was built c. 1873, was originally on Dunham Road. The gardens succumbed to the developers in the mid-1980s, leaving this gateway as a memento.
West Lynn
"West Lynn", another of the mansions whose entrance was originally on Dunham Road. This view shows the original building, with the new apartment block abutting to the left. The mansion was built in 1869 for Bulkeley Allen, a merchant, who lived here until 1888. It receives a brief mention in Pevsner.
Another general view of the road, looking towards the junction with Groby Road.
The entrance to "Silverlands", once a well-proportioned two-storey residence with a tower. A drawing is available in the 'British Architect and Northern Engineer', 1887 edition. All that now remains is a lodge, the roof of which is just visible.
Earlscliffe Court
A small development off Devisdale Road
This group of nine, more or less identical town houses (3x3) is called "Earlscliffe Court" and is on the site of the former "Earlscliffe", which was built in 1873.
Dunham Road (north)
Where is it?
I've split Dunham Road into a north and south section. The logical breakpoint is the Park Road/Charcoal Road crossroads. Click here to visit the southern bit.
It more or less follows the line of the old Roman road from Chester to Manchester, also known as Watling Street. It later became a turnpike road.
Date of photography: 9 November 2020
OS grid ref.: SJ 754 875
what3words ref.: ///swung.asleep.staple
Dunham Road, Bowdon. Looking north towards Altrincham. Now the A56, this former turnpike road crossed the Earl of Stamford's estate of Dunham Park.
Murder scene
This is "Oakleigh", the scene of a murderous "crime of passion" in 2005 (see 1 or follow this link for the ghastly details as reported in "The Sun". It was refurbished over a 10-year period and recently sold for c. £3.25 million.
The house was originally built in 1868 for Joseph Compton, a calico printer of Mosley Street, Manchester.
"Chaseley", formerly "Oakville". Built for William Benson Clegg, a "merchant & manufacturer", in 1869. Note the welcoming cannon on the grass!
Where is it?
Green Walk...
...runs westwards from the junction with The Firs and Stamford Road and stops just short of the A56. It's now a dead end. It's mentioned in Pevsner5 and boasts in Four Beeches a property that is reputedly the most expensive dwelling in Greater Manchester.
Green Walk
Originally a path to Dunham Massey, Green Walk was conceived as a route to enable the Earls of Stamford and their families to access St Mary's church. It is still one of Bowdon's most impressive streets. Originally full of mansions like this one, many - but not all - have now been converted into apartments.
Date of photography: November 2020
This is the entrance to Bickham House (see left), which was formerly known as "Gorsefield". It was bequeathed in 1948 by a Miss Helen Bickham, hence its modern name, who requested that it be used as a care home for "elderly people or distressed gentlefolk".
It now operates as a not-for-profit registered charity.
You can visit its website here, or find out more about its history here.
"Hilston House" is an Italianate villa at the far western end of Green Walk, now split into apartments. It is a listed building 2, 3, 4.
Before redevelopment by P J Livesey (who was also responsible for Chomlea, High Lawn, Evenholme and the TB sanitorium), it was owned by Trafford Council and used as a home for elderly ladies.
Sign on one of the original gateposts.
Where is it?
Holmwood
...is a cul de sac of six detached properties on the south side of Green Walk. There was formerly a mansion here called Holmwood (in much the same size and style as the other ones on the south side of Green Walk).
Some views of Holmwood
Looking back up the road towards Green Walk.
The houses were completed in 1975 and originally all looked very similar. They have since been afflicted by the remodelling bug.
Redevelopment taking place at the bottom of Holmwood.
The same shot, about 10 months later (September 2021).
Groby Road (SW end)
What's special about it?
Most of Groby Road falls within the bounds of Altrincham, but due to the arbitrary nature of my definition of Bowdon, this section from St Margaret's Road leading down to The Devisdale is in Bowdon. It's now a dead end, but was probably originally intended to link up with The Firs.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7592 8753
what3words ref.: ///behave.spark.obey
Date of photography: November 2020
Let me know
If you have any interesting information about this stretch of the road (e.g. history, trivia, famous former residents), please drop me a line using the button below. Your contribution will be acknowledged.
Views of Groby Road
"Devisdale Grange" - a purpose-built apartment block - another encroachment onto The Devisdale.
Part of "Moreton House" in the former grounds of "Westwood", which was built in 1873 and occupied in 1878 by Henry Atkinson, attorney and solicitor.
"Coppice Lodge" - town houses (or apartment block) built in the original grounds of "Hill Carr".
More views of Groby Road
"Dunham Knoll", a fine old red-brick residence, mentioned in Pevsner5.
This is the south façade of "Hill Carr", the main entrance to which is on St Margaret's Road. Another example of garden-grabbing.
A new development that replaces the 1960s "Horseshoe House". Am I the only person who finds "amazing" to be an amazingly overused word?
A general view towards St Margaret's Road, with "Earlscliffe Court" (on Devisdale Road) visible to the left.
St Margaret's Road
Some history
Before the seventh Earl of Stamford decided to build the present St Margaret's church in the 1850s, this road was known as "Turf Lane". It was basically an extension of Gorsey Lane, crossing the Dunham Road (A56) to the west of the church and continuing southwards over the edge of what is now the Garden of Remembrance. Turf Lane was realigned, and given its modern name, to provide a more fitting approach to the new church (as the stem of an imaginary cross centred on the church).
Tell us more!
If you can add anything to this, or provide any interesting items of trivia, please drop me a line using the button below.
Views of St Margaret's Road
St Margeret's church
View north to St Margaret's church on Dunham Road from junction with Groby Road. Follow the link to the church for more about its history and current "interregnum".
OS grid ref.: SJ 7601 8764
what3words ref.: ///facing.sculpture.claims
Date of photography: November 2020
Inglewood
The birthplace of the composer John Ireland (1879-1962). The house was built in 1870 for the publisher Alexander Ireland, the composer's father. It now houses a number of apartments.
Fernroyd
"Fernroyd" is the third of the three attractive houses at the S. end of the road. It's also mentioned in Pevsner. Probably designed by Henry Travis.
Beechthorpe
"Beechthorpe", at the junction with Bowdon Road. Built in 1858 by Henry Travis. Mentioned in Pevsner5.
Devisdale Court
Where is it?
Where is it?
Where is it?
It's a small cul de sac towards the S. end of St Margaret's Road.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7602 8729
what3words ref.: ///peanut.pest.until
Date of photography: 22 November 2020
Where is it?
Where is it?
It consists of 7 modern town houses. Part of the site was once occupied by "Devisdale House", built in 1869 for Dr Arthur Ransome, uncle of the author of Swallows and Amazons.
View from the entrance to Devisdale Court.
Another view from the entrance to Devisdale Court.
Where is it?
The Firs...
...runs from the southern end of St Margaret's Road to Stamford Road. The western side in particular contains some fine, large semi-detached houses.
Formerly known as "Burying Lane". If you can shed any further light on its history, drop me a line using the button below.
A Walk down The Firs
South Manchester synagogue
The South Manchester synagogue, designed by Buttress Fuller Alsop and built in 2001-2. Mentioned in Pevsner5, "Yellow brick and stone, looking good but very reserved."
"Heathfield", an apartment block on the eastern side of the road.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7595 8712
what3words ref.: ///minus.certified.comic
Date of photography: November 2020
Hans Richter's home
Hans Richter, once the conductor of the Hallé orchestra, lived here at no. 27 from 1901-11. A blue plaque exists.
"Newington Court", a more recent, but uninspiring, development that somehow looks out of place here.
"The Bowdon Rooms", a public hall by Frank Dunkerley and probably Bowdon's best known venue for cultural events and gigs. Mentioned in Pevsner5. Owned by Trafford Council.
The "Jubilee Community Centre" - a rather run down and apparently underused facility. These prefab buildings were erected in the 1960s, when they were used as the local council offices. They were later renamed following the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977.
Bowdon UDC became defunct in the early 1970s due to the reorganisation of local government, as a result of which the village fell outside the Cheshire boundaries and became part of the newly created Trafford Metropolitan Borough.
The site, perhaps unsurprisingly, has been acquired for redevelopment.
Many thanks to Ian Bryce for the historical background.
One of the "desirable" paired residences on the west side.
General view looking north showing junction with Elcho Road and two of the eponymous firs.
The former stables associated with what is now The Stamford pub.
It became a garage called "Scragg's", a place where many locals had their cars serviced and MOT tests carried out. An advert for it can be found on the penultimate page of this Altrincham Heritage booklet from 1960. The garage closed about 20 years ago.
This Altrincham Today link reveals the latest plans for the site.
View north from outside The Stamford pub, showing the former stables.
With many thanks to Ian Bryce for providing the details about this structure's history.
The Stamford
"The Stamford" pub, formerly The Stamford Arms. It valiantly stayed afloat during the Covid-19 lockdown by transforming its pavilion into "The Village Store", but this space is now a restaurant again: The Ugly Duckling.
An article by John Chartres about the pub and its neighbour, The Griffin, can be found in Bowdon Sheaf no. 13.
St Mary's church
St Mary's church from outside The Stamford pub.
Elcho Road
A cul de sac on the western side of The Firs. A mixture of housing, it also provides pedestrian/cyclist access to the Bowdon Lawn Tennis Club.
A more modern development juxtaposed with one of the original buildings in this area.
The club house of the Bowdon Lawn Tennis Club.
Bowdon Sheaf no. 43 (pp. 2-5) contains an article about the history of the club.
A substantial semi-detached dwelling on the east side of the road.
Looking up Elcho Road from the junction with The Firs. Note the old style street sign.
This development of town houses lies at the top end of the road. Ian Bryce's theory is that it lies in the former grounds of a house called Heather Lea.
Norma and Chris in front of their home in Elcho Court.
A planter as a touching reminder of a late husband, perhaps?
Late 2024 Update
Unsurprisingly perhaps, there's been a flurry of new visitors to the site since my presentation to the Hale U3A History Group on October 21st. If you're one of them - welcome! I hope you found the site and the talk interesting.
Instead of scrolling through all that boasting on social media, why not spend some time scrolling around your local area?
Click on the button below to start your exploration!