Streets of Old Sutton-in-Ashfield

"The naming, re-naming and the affixing of name-plates at the enterance of the various streets, yards and places in the parish, and the systematic numbering of each house, took place in or about 1894."

[From A History of Sutton-in-Ashfield, pub. by J. Lindley 1907]

The following page details some of the streets of Sutton-in-Ashfield prior to the mid 20th century. Some have not changed a great deal, while others are long gone.

 

Aked's Yard Formerly Starch Yard, after a small Starch manufactory there. Changed to Aked's Yard; reflecting the owner of the property, Mr John Aked. Mr and Mrs Aked later moved to Carrington (when in their 80's). It no longer exists, having been replaced with Local Authority Flats. (Apartments)
Bedlam Court  (see Lord Street)
Bower's Yard Named after Mr S Bower, a Bag Hosier and occupant of the King William the Fourth Inn. No longer exists.
Brook Street Probably named because the River Idle originally flowed past the houses on this road, until it was covered over in about 1880. Prior to this it was crossed by improvised bridges and stepping stones! Brook Street still exists, with little alteration.
Butcher's Yard Named for William & Elizabeth Butcher, who owned property in the area and were Drapers by trade. Was situated off the Market Place.
Church Street In the 17th Century this was the main village street, until Lammas Road was built in 1764. Church Street has not changed much over the years. It has long been a more affluent area of Sutton, with a number of houses added during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Club Street Has also been known as Club Row. It took it's name from the Club which existed within the Old Trooper Inn, found on the street. The street must be one of the oldest in Sutton, as the Old Trooper Inn was one of the three in Sutton in 1675. Club Street was demolished and the Shopping Centre built over it.
Crier's Yard Named after the Town Criers and Bellmen who lived here. A small part of the yard still exists, joined to Low Street, providing access to the rear of the school. The Crier's Yard Barbers Shop can be found here.
Crown Street Crown Street used to contain early 19th century cottages used by Stockingers. The houses had 'Stockingers Windows' which were large windows on the upper floors of the house, designed to let in as much light as possible onto the stocking frame inside. The cottages no longer exist on the street, which was at some point re-named The Twitchell.
Cursham Street This street was built (with Station Street) between 1855-60. Named after the Rev. T Cursham, who had a school nearby. Cursham Street was built on the school's 'playing area'. Here was built the hosiery factories of J. Briggs & Sons, H. W. Cooke and J. Pickard. It is now an area of light industrial units.
Devonshire Square Originally the Top Green, it was the site of the Yeoman type Tudor House known as the old Manor House. There was also the Parish Pinfold adjacent to the house; both being cleared in 1928. The resulting cleared area was known as Devonshire Square, and is now the site of the Bus Station and a major traffic island.
Duke Street/Little Duke Street Both these streets were demolished during the slum clearance after 1935. The only remnant of Duke Street is at the point where it joined King Street, as the small gap between the buildings is still there. The space made by the clearance is now taken up with a car park and a Local Authority Old Peoples Home.
Engine Green (see Portland Square)
Forest Lane This road continued on from Forest Street, past the junction with High Pavement and on towards Mansfield. It is now known as Station Road, as railway stations were built at the High Pavement end, and at the other end, called Sutton Junction.
Forest Street A long stretch of road, beginning at the junction of Lammas Road and Priestsic Lane, it travelled right through the town to the junction with high Pavement. The part between Tenter Lane (Outram Street) and High Pavement is also known as Oates' Hill, after Mr Wm. Oates (Agent for the Unwin Family). The part after High Pavement stretching towards Mansfield is now known as Station Road, as railway stations were built at both ends.
Goodley's Hollow Later known as just 'the Hollow', there appears to have been a Goodley family who owned property in this area. It is now part of Sutton's Bus Station.
Hardwick Street Part of the ancient road leading to Kirkby Hardwick. Still exists, although the part nearest High Pavement is now a light industrial area.
Haslam's Hill Named after Mr W Haslam who owned property there. It was changed to Mount Street during the re-naming of 1894.
High Pavement Known as Back Lane until 1840, it runs parellel with Low Street, but on the higher ground. It was widened to form a duel carrage-way when the School was built.
High Street Known as High Street because (like High Pavement) it was physically higher ground than around 'Low' Street. Although the street still exists, there are no buildings along it, but it serves to link the top of the market with what remains of Sherwood Street. It is mainly used for delivery access to shops on Low Street.
Idlewells It has been suggested that the street was named as a result of the River Idle flowing through it. However, the course of the River Idle (which was no more than 2-3 yards wide at any point within the parish) took it through Brook St, Low St, through Portland Square and towards Tenter Lane. The closeness of Spring Street does indicate there was some water nearby though. Idlewells was demolished during the slum clearance, but its name is perpetuated by the Shopping Centre "The Idlewells" which was built on the site.
King Street Once known as Beggar Street, the name was changed to King Street after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, although it was still known as Beggar Street over two centuries later. It is only half its original length now, running from the Market Square to the Newcastle Arms. The rest was demolished and replaced by Local Authority Flats. (Apartments)
Lammas Road Lammas Road was made in 1764, and runs from Devonshire Square - originally the site of the Manor House - to St Mary Magdalene Parish Church. It also passes a recreation ground known as the 'Lammas', where the 'Wakes' are regularly held.
Little Lane (see Market Street)
Lord Street Formerly known as Bedlam Court. Lord Street was demolished to make way for Sutton Centre School.
Low Street Most probably named because it lies in a shallow valley, with High Pavement and Church Street sitting on the higher ground on either side. Low Street has not altered in course, although the shops found on it are constantly changing, and the buildings are regularly modernised or rebuilt. Few of the 19th century buildings remain, and those which do have been altered beyond recognition. Low Street is a pedestrianised area.
Lower Green (see Portland Square)
Manor Street This street is not often marked on maps (in fact only shows on the map of 1935) It was the narrow street which ran behind the Manor House, between the entrance to Lammas Road and the top of Swan Street. In about 1930 the old Manor House was demolished, and Manor Street became part of Devonshire Square.
Market Place The original market in Sutton was a triangular shape, covering 760 sq. yds. In 1905 the Council cleared a number of properties to create a Market Square which now covers 3266 sq. yds. Within the area cleared was an alley known as Rhodes' Yard. This was named after a previous resident, William Rhodes, who was a great 'recorder of local events' in his well-kept diary.
Market Street Originally known as Little Lane, it's name was probably changed during the re-naming of 1894. A barn once stood at the corner of Little Lane, near the market, and the village stocks stood in front of it. Market Street still exists, with small shops running down one side. However, most of the other side of the road is now a multi-story car park.
Mill Street (formerly Windmill Lane) This street probably got its name from the proximity to a wooden windmill owned by Mr J Lindley, a local miller and baker. The Mill was being moved to another site when it overturned and was badly damaged. A new mill was subsequently erected at the bottom of Prospect Place. It is now known as part of Woods Hill.
Mount Street Formerly known as Haslam's Hill, after Mr W Haslam who owned property there. It was changed to Mount Street during the re-naming of 1894. Mount Street was demolished to make way for Sutton Centre School.
New Street Up to about 1800, this area was forest, with a stile leading to an area of meadow where the market square now stands. It has more or less dissapeared - in the form of three car parks - while the area outside the Devonshire Arms, joining with High Pavement, has been 'pedestrianised'.
Outram Street (see Tenter Lane)
Parliament Street Formerly known as Wayster Lane. Only half the original street remains, joining Forest street at one end. The road would have been moved slightly north at the other end. (shortening Criers Yard as a result)
Portland Square (aka Lower Green, Swine Green, Engine Green) Believed to be the site of the first village green. Was known as Swine Green when the central pond was used to water livestock. Became known as Engine Green when a building to house the manual Fire Engine was erected on the site. Was named Portland Square by the Local Board in honour of the Duke of Portland's family. It is now a pedestrianised area, with a large sundial.
Priestsic Road In medieval times the priest's house stood at the entrance to this road, with a brook flowing through the garden. 'Sic' is an old meaning for stream or brook, so Priestsic means 'the priest's house by the brook'. It has not changed much over the years, and the housing built in the late 1800's at the far end, which connects with the New Cross area, is still in existance.
Pudding Bag Lane An earlier name for Little Duke Street. (see under Duke Street)
Quarry Yard Possibly a site of a former quarry. The houses here have all been demolished, and the site is now used by a local coach company for parking their coaches.
Reform Street The first four cottages of this street were built in 1832, by builder D Milnes. This was at the time of the first Reform Bill going through Parliament, and Mr Milnes named the street accordingly. The houses were replaced by light industrial units under Sutton's Central Area Redevelopment Scheme.
Rhodes' Yard (see Market Place)
Sherwood Street Formerly known as Gadsby's Yard, after the Gadsby family who owned property there. Only about a quarter of the original street remains, joining Low Street. The upper portion is now under Sutton Centre School.
Smedley's End Now known as West End. It owes it's name to a family which had a well known pottery at Fulwood. At the top of the road stood the Staff of Life Inn. It's knitters' houses were demolished in the middle part of this century and replaced with local authority housing.
Station Road (see Forest Lane)
Station Street This street was built circa 1855-60. It led to the station which was built at the top of Station Road (Forest Street) behind the Dog and Duck Pub. It now forms part of the Reform Street Light Industrial Estate.
Swan Street Named after the Swan Inn, which dated from the 16th century. Swan Street was demolished and the Shopping Centre built over it.
Swine Green (see Portland Square)
Tenter Lane This street started out as a muddy lane, which ran towards the Eastfield area of Sutton. Stepping Stones were regularly used to make it easier to walk along. There were no buildings on Tenter Lane, except for a couple of cottages at the corner of Forest Street, until 1869 when the Dew Drop Inn (Later New Cross Hotel) was built. In 1870, a further two cottages were built, and from that time buildings were rapidly erected. It was renamed Outram Street in 1870 in memory of Mr E. Outram, a principal Farmer and Landowner in the town. His farmhouse stood on the site of the Rifleman Inn on Low Street. The Outram Street area has also formerly been known as 'Bull Field', as one of the fields in the nieghbourhood was charged with maintaining the 'parish Bull'.
Top Green (see Devonshire Square)
Union Street Built around the same time as Reform Street - possibly by the same builder. Named to mark the passing of the Union Chargeability Bill of 1847. Since that time, the area has been cleared. One side of the street is now light industrial units, while the other side is the site of some Local Authority Homes. The Royal Forresters was re-located to nearby Coronation Street. (not shown on the above map)
Upper Green (see Devonshire Square)
Victoria Street Built at about 1887, right through the centre of an orchard, and named in commemoration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. All but a short section of it, about 1/6th its original length joining the market square, was demolished to make way for Sutton Centre School.
Wallstone Place Wallstone Place may have derived from the surname Walston. It may have been the home of John Walston who married in Sutton in 1593. It contained several early stone cottages with mullioned windows, which were demolished to make way for Sutton Centre School.
Wood Street Wood Street was for many years known as Blind Lane, as a resident of the street was known as 'Blind Tom'. Wood Street was demolished to make way for Sutton Centre School.

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Created 2nd May 1998 by Heather Faulkes - updated 19 February 2003