In medieval times Sopwell was part of a wood called Eywood. As well as providing timber and fuel the woods were also used for hunting – at that time mainly deer. The Abbey monks and the nuns from Sopwell Priory… More about ‘Hunting in Sopwell’»
Category: 1920s
Sopwell Mill
In Cottonmill Lane almost opposite Priory Walk, there is a little track which leads down to Sopwell Mill Farm. The original mill on this site was probably one of the three St Albans mills referred to in the Domesday Book.… More about ‘Sopwell Mill’»
Mercer Chronometers
Mercers was a family run marine chronometer manufacturing business. The firm started in 1858 in Clerkenwell London by the founder, Thomas Mercer. Thomas was born in St Helen’s Lancashire in 1822. St Helen’s was said to be the centre of… More about ‘Mercer Chronometers’»
St Julian’s
There used to be a farm in Watling Street called St Julian’s Farm The farm buildings were opposite the entrance to Vesta Avenue and can be seen in this photo which was taken in 1939. This land in Watling street originally… More about ‘St Julian’s’»
North Western Hotel – Grant Peerless
Grant Peerless spent the first eleven years of his life living in the North Western Hotel in Holywell Hill. His grandfather took over the licence of the pub in 1924 and the family worked there until 1959. Grant shares his memories of what… More about ‘North Western Hotel – Grant Peerless’»
Maps and aerial views of Sopwell
Watercress industry in Park Street – Roy Pinnock
The Pinnock family had a smallholding and also grew watercress in Burydell Lane Park Street. Unlike the beds in Riverside Road, these were purpose built using concrete walkways. Roy Pinnock talks more about the business which wasstarted by his grandfather.… More about ‘Watercress industry in Park Street – Roy Pinnock’»
The Butterfield family
The Butterfield family lived in Sopwell Mill farm from the late 19th century until 1931. George Butterfield senior was the master miller and the other members of the family ran the farm and dairy business. George junior ran the business… More about ‘The Butterfield family’»
Living in Sopwell Gate Lodge – Mrs Terry
Mrs Betty Terry, born Betty Giddings in 1919, lived in Sopwell Gate Lodge in Cottonmill Lane for a few years from when she was about 9 years old. Her father worked as a cowman on Brown’s farm which was Sopwell… More about ‘Living in Sopwell Gate Lodge – Mrs Terry’»
Memories of the Sopwell Lane area – Jack Knight
Jack Knight had an aunt, Amelia Furness, who had a shop in Sopwell Lane. She was in the straw hat trade. “She was a blocker and they used to weave this straw round a block of wood of different sizes… More about ‘Memories of the Sopwell Lane area – Jack Knight’»
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