streetsofbowdon.co.uk
Let's visit...
Oakwood Lane
Occupies the bend made by Bow Lane at the southernmost limit of Bowdon. It and its ecclesiastical cul de sacs were developed in the 80s/90s, and consist mainly of detached family homes. The area is served by a primary school.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7573 8609
what3words ref.: ///shall.bond.skips
Date of photography: March 2021
Starting at...
Minster Drive
The following sections look at each cul de sac in turn, starting with Minster Drive and then following Oakwood Lane round from west to east. Minster Drive contains six detached properties and has access to a play area.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7549 8599
what3words ref.: ///spice.twice.glare
Date of photography: Feb./March 2021
Abbey Close
Abbey Close is a tiny close of five detached properties on the north side of Oakwood Lane.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7551 8608
what3words ref.: ///level.clever.rabble
Date of photography: March 2021
The owner of this property told me that he and his family had only moved in a couple of weeks earlier. Looks like they've settled in quickly!
This property occupies the corner plot that faces Oakwood Lane on the eastern side of the close.
Friars Close
Friars Close, like Abbey Close, is another tiny close and has just 3 properties (and 2 more sharing the corner plots with Oakwood Lane).
Here are two of them...
...and here's the third (complete with polluting SUVs).
Hello, and welcome to...
Dean Drive
At the north-west of the Oakwood estate, the Dean Drive cul de sac sprouts a couple of smaller ones in Bishops Close and Deacon Close (see above).
OS grid ref.: SJ 7559 8617
what3words ref.: ///deck.land.gifted
Date of photography: February/March 2021
Views of Dean Drive
The view to the south east from the end of the ginnel leading to Bow Lane.
The cluster of properties at the end of the cul de sac. They are all detached family homes.
Looking towards the end of the cul de sac.
And now...
Bishops Close
A cul de sac off a cul de sac, in this case Dean Drive (see above). As you'll see, most of the houses on the Oakwood estate are similar in design.
OS grid ref.: SJ 7563 8622
what3words ref.: ///insist.fund.sadly
Date of photography: March 2021
This is:
Deacon Close...
...is a very small "close" of four detached properties on the north side of Dean Drive. If you'd like to add something about its development, hit the button below!
OS grid ref.: SJ 7554 8619
what3words ref.: ///silver.twins.slim
Date of photography: March 2021
Views of Deacon Close
At the corner with Dean Drive. Val & Nick, the owners of this house, told me that it's being refurbished. Problems with the original builder though...
Two of the other three properties in the Close...
...and here's the final one.
Wychwood
A short cul de sac with plenty of properties.
The houses are all detached, though not as large as some of the others on the estate. Click the button at bottom right if you'd like to add a comment.
A typical Wychwood property.
The top end of the cul de sac. Note the large garage and basketball stand.
Beechwood
Beechwood is a short cul de sac on the east side of Oakwood Lane.
Looking into the cul de sac from the junction with Oakwood Lane.
At the far end of the road - quite a car park.
The view from the end of the cul de sac looking back towards Oakwood Lane.
Ashwood
Unlike most other properties around the Oakwood estate, Ashwood contains more modest linked town houses.
This is taken at the entrance to the first of the two cul de sacs off Ashwood. Note the modest little run-about (perhaps a business vehicle?)
Pairs of semi-detached town houses at the bend in the road - the entrance to the second cul de sac is on the right.
Looking west from the entrance to the second cul de sac.
View from the northern end of the cul de sac.
Westmorland Close
Another shortish cul de sac, this one with a narrow road. It again consists of detached family homes.
Looking west towards the end of the cul de sac.
The view towards the junction with Cumberland Drive (see above).
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!