In the 1900's there was an entrance to the Pleasure Gardens (see also link) along a lane that ran alongside the cottage that is now 174 Creynolds Lane, and passing Mount Cottage Farm where the school playing field is now. This lane is still visible (photo) from the footpath running from alongside 53 Boscobel Road. Where the bungalow on the corner of 194 Cheswick Way stands can be seen the Monument Column (photograph) that was part of the VC Memorial Garden**. The bungalow is not yet in existence. The large house opposite known as The Rowels is 193 Creynolds Lane. Note the row of trees running from the Sand Pit to the Mount. These are the fine trees between The Pines and Saxonwood Road at the Junction with Cheswick Way. The formal Gardens and Ballroom stood where Boscobel Road, Longleat Drive and Osbourne Croft now stand. Its interesting to see that the layout of the fields remain mostly unchanged in the past 100 years and how the hedgerows then form the layout of our roads today.
During the 1930's and 1940's The Mount Estate developed and you can view a map of its layout by moving your mouse over the left hand map. The Pleasure Gardens have disappeared and Mount Cottage Farm has become a 'Plastic Works' that made objects in Bakelite and early form of plastic. There was a Dog Racetrack just off Creynolds Lane between the entrance to Elliot's Hall (TSB College) and No 157. Behind that and not visible on the map was Shirley Racetrack on land that is now Shirley Golf Club. The Mount and its water filled moat are still intact. New roads have appeared to service the estate. Pleasaunce Walk being where Cheswick Way is to the point where it joined Appian Way - now the junction with Saxonwood Road. You will notice a lane called Coppice Walk leading to Mount Drive that is now the footpath between Cheswick way by the bus stop to Saxonwood Road that still has the old Laurel bushes along part of its length. Brooklands Walk runs where present day Foxland Close is. The names Coppice Walk and Appian Way made it to the new development of Cheswick Green but in different locations.
**You can read all about the VC Memorial Garden on the Parish Councils website VC Memorial Garden
(3.3
MB)