EARLY 19th CENTURY SLADNOR
Before the forming of what was to become Sladnor Park, the area was divided up between three landowners. Sladnor House (estate), as it was then named, consisted of five parcels of land and was owned by the Reverend Elias Webb. A tight grouping of four fields, owned by George Nickels were part of the Cards Farm estate (a total of thirty fields) at the site of the future Cleveland Hotel and Suite Dreams. The remaining solitary field, Furse Park to the far west was owned by Elias Blackaller Jr.
Boundary hedge fragments present today should be treated with caution as some are later 20th century placings.
'Red Cruise' Old Sladnor map |
FIELD NOTES
Great Meadow Grove House
The largest parcel of land, arable in nature and including the great manor house at the head of the rolling coombe, more widely known as Sladnor Manor House which was gutted by fire in 1994. The shells of the stable block and staff quarters to the north still exist.
Grove
Abutting the northeastern boundary of present day Sladnor, this would have been a small grouping of trees planted for cultivating fruits or perhaps walnuts (several specimens mentioned throughout the coombe by Alan Hunt and the late Harry Nickels). Part of the boundary hedge can still be seen jutting out from Rockhouse Lane side.
Maiden Coomb Park
Probably Maiden Coombe Park (a few errors by the clerk have been revealed) and classified as arable in nature. Possible origin of the 'Park' addition to Sladnor.
West Slade
The position of this hilly arable strip lives up to the definition of a slade: a little valley or dell, sometimes resembling a ravine. A theory has been postulated that the combination of Maiden Coombe Park and West Slade gave rise to the present day Sladnor Park title.
Lower Yelland
Associated naming of Yellands across the Teignmouth Road to the southwest.
Furse Park
Perhaps Furze Park as duplicated in other plots to the north of Sladnor Park Road. A mixture of gorse and arable land.
Mead
Designated a meadow so likely naming from the Middle English medwe or Old English mǣdw-, oblique stem of mǣd or mead.
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