Return to Wheaton Aston Home Page
Wheaton Aston is a typical small English Village which has been in existence for hundreds of years. Some of the names of the streets and roads reflect the history of the village (Mill Lane). Others are much more recent - (Marston Croft). This is a list of current names with the derivation of the name where known. I have given dates when the name came into use and added a question mark if there is some doubt as to the date. A special thanks to Ray Cowley for giving the derivation of Magazine Lane and Greenhill Lane.
One of three tree named roads from about 1970. The others are Oak Close and Beech Close.
(1976) Named after Ashleigh fields where it is built.
I am guessing that this is descriptive of the fact that it was not the front way into the village.
One of the 1970s tree names roads.
It used to lead to a Brick kiln (before 1850).
The area around the green by the Church was improved during the later months of 1999 with the addition of block paving and stone and cast iron lamp posts to replace the concrete ones. It was ready in time for Christmas with a special stand to hold the Christmas tree and around it a mosiac containing images of the Snakes Head Fritilary - the symbol of Wheaton Aston.
There are five houses in this new development next to the Coach and Horses on the High Street. For sales purposes this was called Festival Green but Coach Gardens is a more appropriate name as this field was used as allotment gardens for a time. The Pub used to hold a Guy Fawkes bonfire here each November as well.
July 2002 - So far only two of the houses have Coach Gardens addresses - the two at the back are numbers 2 and 3. The large house on the front has a High Street address and the one with a Gate into Frog Lane has a Frog lane address. It can be guessed that the remaining house - which is unsold at this time - on the corner will be number 1 Coach Gardens.
February 2003 - Two road signs have just been erected. It is identified as a PRIVATE DRIVE. I think this is the only one in Wheaton Aston.
It used to be cobbled. (1965?) - Now tarmaced.
A mystery this one. Possibly named after the builder? (1970)
A track leading to the canal and then to Downford lane across the other side. Its name describes itself today - VERY dirty. (old)
Downford lane is the other side of the canal. (1970)
One possibility is it was named after a beer house - now demolished - called The Fountain.
I only spotted this today (8th July 2001) when cycling along Fenton House Lane. It is a small cul-de-sac with about 3 bungalows built and named in about 1998. Possibly named after the the brother of the Computer Game heroine Lara:-) - more likely named after the Fenton House Lane above.
August 2001 - This does not exist at the moment as this new development of 5 detached house is currently under construction on the field next to the Coach and Horses on the High Street. Possibly so named because it was used for the Wheaton Aston Festival a couple of times.
October 2001- 5 Houses structures almost complete and they look very attractive.
June 2002 - 5 houses built but only 4 sold. There isn't a street sign - as yet.
July 2002 - The postperson has told me that this is called Coach Gardens - see new entry
A very short track from the end of cul-de-sac Meadowcroft Gardens to the sewege works near the stream and filter beds - after which it was named.
There was smithy here at one time.
Two fields (#s 549 & 362) on the 1838 tythe map are called 'Green Hill'. They had originally been one field and had been cut in half by the canal. The north end of Ashleigh Crescent was built on one of them. Not much of a hill but the fact that the canal runs through a cutting through this field gives us some idea of the lie of the land. Greenhill Lane was the the lane leading to this field.
Leads down to the large Farm House The Hawthornes.
Hawthorne Drive leads from it.
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the meaning of high as chief, principal, main,or special, and high street usually as that street of a town which is built upon a great highway, and is (or was originally) the principal one in the town - or village in Wheaton Aston's case. The Main Street which has most of the shops. There used to be a lot more than now.
a cul-de-sac leading off....
The road leading to Ivetsey Bank.
The road to Lapley.
In reality it isn't very long but is possibly the longest street in Wheaton Aston. Greenhill Lane must run it close.
It leads off to the left at the end of Dirty Lane - just before the Canal Bridge. There is no sign in place but the name is recorded on street maps.
You can still see the base of the old gun powder magazine in
the field along side the canal called on the 1838 Tythe map Short
Heath. The magazine was built about 1862 and the field was
thereafter known as Magazine Meadow. Gunpowder was brought from
Manchester or Liverpool by canal and stored in the wood lined
building in which rubber shoes had to be worn for safety.
It was delivered in a Green Tarpaulin-covered horse drawn cart
to a Birmingham firm who made guns and cartridges. It was also
taken to collieries, especially pits at Rudgely and Cannock Chase.
This was still going on in the First World War.
The building remained for many years afterwards and was last used
for storing hay.
Info from The Parish of Lapley with Wheaton Aston by
Mary Weate.
Malthouse Farm is here.
The Road to Marston.
Leading off Marston Road. (1970)
Leading off Marston Road. (1986?)
There used to be windmill here. It was burnt down in the early 1900s and is no sign of it all now. There is still a large house called Mill House on the right.
One of the tree named roads from the1970s.
See Pinfold Lane below.
A Pinfold is a pound for stray cattle. It comes from the old English world pundfald.
possibly after Mr Starkey who lived there
The School used to be here. The Old School Building is now a private house.
near Sowdley lane (1977?)
Leads to Sowdley Cottage and Sowdley Wood south of Wheaton Aston. (<1850)
Named after Mr Trevitt.
There is still a large Yew Tree at the junction with Long Street
Other books