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Telford Park Estate

Elegant Garden Suburb


Background and History

Aerial view of Abbey
Aerial view of Abbaye de Bec, Normandy

Originally part of the monastery lands of St.Mary de Bec owned by the Duke of Bedford, Regent of France, this land was inherited in 1802 by a Duke of Bedford's brother, who broke up the estate and the Telford Park area was sold to the Kymer family, a part of the Stewarts of Kirkcudbright. His sister married a Charles Telford and brought this land as a dowry. The Telfords had one son, Colonel Charles Telford,who died childless in 1876. On his death the land reverted to the Kymer/Stewart family. In 1877, a Martin Stewart granted building rights to two developers, Hanney and Ellis. They in turn employed a large and active building firm, Sutton & Dudley to build residences. The development began in 1878, probably with Kirkstall Lodge, and was completed in 1882. In return, the builders became 99-year leaseholders on all the properties in 1880.

Ordinance Survey maps in 1877 show clearly how Telford Road, surrounded by fields, became Telford Avenue, with Criffel, Killieser & Kirkstall, with Thornton Avenue at the bottom. All the roads are named after lands on the Stewart's Scottish estates, except Thornton, dedicated to the Clapham philanthropist and friend of Wilberforce, Henry Thornton.

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