The names, location and extent of the early to mid nineteenth century
orchards in and around the village area of Maidencombe are virtually
unknown today.
The old cider orchard off Rock House Lane still exists today, but what of the others that once covered a significant area in the bowl of the coombe?
For the first time, the locations and descriptions of the Orchards of Maidencombe are documented:
The old cider orchard off Rock House Lane still exists today, but what of the others that once covered a significant area in the bowl of the coombe?
For the first time, the locations and descriptions of the Orchards of Maidencombe are documented:
Key: C Cleared D Developed E Exists
ORCHARD ABOVE LAND (D) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The footprint of Five Meadows on the junction of Rockhouse Lane and Brim Hill marks the position of the curiously named (though accurate as the fruit trees would have been raised some way above the cart track) 'Orchard above land'. In the early 19th century, it should be noted that there were no tarmacadam surfaces and all transport was horse drawn. Rock House Lane (unnamed at that time) was a compacted, largely earth cart track and the location of Brim Hill was a continuation of this up to 'Wendy' where it dissipated into pedestrian access to Maidencombe cross.
CHARITY'S ORCHARD (D) (E) Owner: Daniel Codnor
The smallest of the orchards upon which the footprint of the house at Home Orchard in Brim Hill now stands. Subsequently retaining orchard in the name when it was largely cleared for a large chalet style bungalow in the 1930's.
BABBAGES ORCHARD (C) Owner: Daniel Codnor
A long, narrow orchard opposite Charity's orchard and adjacent to the Orchard above land. It was cleared for grazing and agricultural use in the early 20th century.
BACK ORCHARD (C) (D) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The largest of the orchards by far, the Back orchard took in all of the land now occupied by Coombe Hayes, Barn Hayes, Mouse Cottage (formerly Byways) and much of the gardens of Home Orchard. It was 'L' shaped and stretched over part of what is now known as 'the Slopes' to the western boundary of the Courthouse in Rockhouse Lane.
GREAT ORCHARD (C) (D) Owner: George Nickels
Part of the Cards farm estate, Great orchard extended up from the present day footprint of Suite Dreams in Steep Hill around the corner and up to the footpath directly opposite the Beehive. It was cleared for grazing and the development of the property Rose Vine.
UNDERDOWN ORCHARD (D) Owner: George Nickels
Also part of the Cards estate, Underdown orchard occupied a narrow corridor running from where Coombe Close now stands in Brim Hill right across the combe to Steep Hill with the Beehive directly above. It was cleared to make way for houses.
ALLEY ORCHARD (D) Owner: George Nickels
Yet another Cards orchard, Alley orchard abutted the eastern half of Underdown orchard and became the gardens for the houses off Steep Hill.
WEST ORCHARD (C) Owner: George Nickels
A far-flung Cards orchard in Sladnor Park situated below Great Meadow Grove House (better known as Sladnor Manor House). Cleared for grazing.
ORCHARD (BARN AREA) (C) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The orchard existed where the barn and Linhay structure (c1750) are today. Largely cleared for other agricultural use by Henry (Harry) Nickels.
CIDER ORCHARD (E) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The sole surviving orchard in the bowl of the combe today and maintained by the TCCT and local residents.
HOUSE AND ORCHARD (E) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
Situated in the grounds of Little Thatch (c1800) Steep Hill. Apple trees still present today.
The footprint of Five Meadows on the junction of Rockhouse Lane and Brim Hill marks the position of the curiously named (though accurate as the fruit trees would have been raised some way above the cart track) 'Orchard above land'. In the early 19th century, it should be noted that there were no tarmacadam surfaces and all transport was horse drawn. Rock House Lane (unnamed at that time) was a compacted, largely earth cart track and the location of Brim Hill was a continuation of this up to 'Wendy' where it dissipated into pedestrian access to Maidencombe cross.
CHARITY'S ORCHARD (D) (E) Owner: Daniel Codnor
The smallest of the orchards upon which the footprint of the house at Home Orchard in Brim Hill now stands. Subsequently retaining orchard in the name when it was largely cleared for a large chalet style bungalow in the 1930's.
BABBAGES ORCHARD (C) Owner: Daniel Codnor
A long, narrow orchard opposite Charity's orchard and adjacent to the Orchard above land. It was cleared for grazing and agricultural use in the early 20th century.
BACK ORCHARD (C) (D) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The largest of the orchards by far, the Back orchard took in all of the land now occupied by Coombe Hayes, Barn Hayes, Mouse Cottage (formerly Byways) and much of the gardens of Home Orchard. It was 'L' shaped and stretched over part of what is now known as 'the Slopes' to the western boundary of the Courthouse in Rockhouse Lane.
GREAT ORCHARD (C) (D) Owner: George Nickels
Part of the Cards farm estate, Great orchard extended up from the present day footprint of Suite Dreams in Steep Hill around the corner and up to the footpath directly opposite the Beehive. It was cleared for grazing and the development of the property Rose Vine.
UNDERDOWN ORCHARD (D) Owner: George Nickels
Also part of the Cards estate, Underdown orchard occupied a narrow corridor running from where Coombe Close now stands in Brim Hill right across the combe to Steep Hill with the Beehive directly above. It was cleared to make way for houses.
ALLEY ORCHARD (D) Owner: George Nickels
Yet another Cards orchard, Alley orchard abutted the eastern half of Underdown orchard and became the gardens for the houses off Steep Hill.
WEST ORCHARD (C) Owner: George Nickels
A far-flung Cards orchard in Sladnor Park situated below Great Meadow Grove House (better known as Sladnor Manor House). Cleared for grazing.
ORCHARD (BARN AREA) (C) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The orchard existed where the barn and Linhay structure (c1750) are today. Largely cleared for other agricultural use by Henry (Harry) Nickels.
CIDER ORCHARD (E) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
The sole surviving orchard in the bowl of the combe today and maintained by the TCCT and local residents.
HOUSE AND ORCHARD (E) Owner: Elias Blackaller Jnr.
Situated in the grounds of Little Thatch (c1800) Steep Hill. Apple trees still present today.