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STREET NAMES OF BARRY From the time that the building of town of Barry began and streets and roads were being named, the reason as to why they were given such names has been in most cases forgotten. There are many street names in Barry that I can find no reason or documentary evidence as to why they were given the names that they were. Many street names are either family names, names of towns or villages from where the builders of the houses in the street came from, or names of public figures who have been honoured by having a street named after them. A prime source of names are those which appear on leasehold documents as members of the leasing syndicate. Lately as property developers have moved into Barry the names of estates and the streets in them bear no relation to its particular history or its location, but have either been named by the developers as an aid to sales, or by the local council. Over the past few years there have been very few local names put forward which could be similarly honoured, but this omission could be easily remedied by the council by asking for names to be considered. Here are a few suggestions -
There are many more that deserve such recognition. The last estate to be built and named with any regard to the town's history was Coldbrook Estate, when a committee of local historians suggested the street names. Since writing the following I have been given additional information which has enabled me to update, and in some cases correct, the derivation of a number of street names that I thought were accurate. Abingdon Street is named after a town in Cambridge. Aberystwyth Crescent is named after Aberystwyth in North Wales. Arthur Street was named after Colonel J.A. Hughes, solicitor and Town Clerk of Barry. Albert Street and Henry Street are named after Mr Albert Chapell and Mr Henry Chapell who were members of the Mount Pleasant Syndicate who leased the land on which the streets are built. Amherst Crescent was named after William Pitt Amherst, 1st Earl Amherst of Arakan. In 1800 he married the widow Countess Dowager of Plymouth (Sarah Archer), and on her death he married the widow of his stepson, who was also Countess Dowager of Plymouth. Aneurin Road was named after Aneurin Bevan, MP, the founder of the National Health Service. Archer Road was named after Katherine, daughter of Lord Archer, who married the Earl of Plymouth in 1750. Awbery House named after Mr Stan Awbery, author and local historian, Mayor of Barry in 1941, and MP for Bristol Central for a number of years. Atlantic Place is named after Ranks Atlantic Mills; many of the mill's employees lived here. Bassett Street named after the Bassett family who owned the land. Bastian Close is named after a local war hero. Its former name was Howard Street, and was one of the many streets in Barry that were laid out, but never built. Battery Hill (the road leading from the Island across the docks) was named after the gun battery on Nell's Point, and was also called Docks Hill by residents. Bedlington Terrace named after the town. Bell Street was named after Mr James Bell, one of the engineers employed by the Barry Railway Company on the construction of the docks. The other main engineers were J. Wolfe Barry and Mr H. M. Brunel. Bendricks Road is named after the group of rocks on the nearby coast. Beryl Road was named after the daughter of Mr Roberts, clerk to Mr Robert Forrest, agent for the Earl of Plymouth. Beverley Street is named after the town in Yorkshire. Bird Cage Walk was coined in 1938 when the Council were discussing the opening of the new walk. Councillor H. B. Adams said that the perimeter fence when viewed from Barry Railway Station reminded him of a large bird cage and the name stuck. Blackwell Close was named after its old Welsh name of Ffynnon Ddu was translated. Boon Close was named after a former Mayor of the town, Alderman David Boon. Bridge Street was named after the bridge which spanned the Coldbrook River. It has since been culverted, and part of Bridge Street was formerly named Hatch Hill after the farm situated nearby. Broad Street was originally called Barry Dock Road, and ran as far as the Priory from where it became South View Terrace. There is still a plaque in the top of a wall in a house opposite the old bus depot. It gained its new name because of it was the widest street in Barry at that time. Brock Street was named after the Brock family, who lived there for many years. It was one of the first named streets to appear on the ordnance survey map of the area. Brook Street was named after Brooks Farm, one of the largest farms in the area, and belonging to the Bassett family. Bromfield Road is named after the town in Shropshire, with family connections with the Earl of Plymouth. Buttrills Road is named after the house built by Mr Treharne. The name is supposed to be Butter Hill because of the rich pastureland surrounding it. Cambridge Street, like Oxford Street, is named after the universities. Canon Street was named after Canon Allen, rector of Porthkerry and Barry. Castleland Street was named after Castleland fields, adjoining the cliffs between Cadoxton and Holton, that belonged to Wenvoe Castle Estate. Station Street and St. Mary's Avenue were also built on this part of the estate. Caple Road (off Park Road) was named after Mr. Caple, an architect. Cawley Place was named after Ernest Cawley, Mayor of Barry in 1947 & 48. Charter Avenue named after the town was granted the Charter giving it Borough status in 1939. Chilcote Street is named after the cote part of the dovecote in the Old Court. Churchill Terrace was named after the Churchill family. Church Road was built on the Church Estate. Land was leased from the church by a syndicate. Clements Colley Walk was named after a former Chief Executive of the council. Clive Place and Clive Road were named after the family name of the Earl of Plymouth (Windsor-Clive). Colcot Road was named after a group of cottages and an old inn which was situated nearby. Coldbrook Road is named after the small stream that joins the Cadoxton River at the Biglis. Colbrook Road was divided into Rock Terrace (named after the quarries nearby) and the Murch (a small cottage in Coldbrook which gave its name to a small terrace of houses). Murch is a corruption of Merched, Welsh for daughter, who on the death of her father, or as a dowry, was given a cottage and an orchard. Coldbrook Estate
Cold Knap Way is named after the Tump at the end of the pebble beach. Knap is an old word meaning Tump, and Cold could mean Cald as in Caldy Island (sheltered island) or could mean what it says, Cold. College Road (formerly named Flora Street after the daughter of Mr Trevor Roberts) was renamed on the building of the Barry Training College. College Place also named after the Barry Training College, now closed. Commercial Road was named by its builder, Mr Phillips, an Ironmonger of Cadoxton. Conway Drive was named after one of the developer's sons. Cora Street was named after the family name of Dr Livingston's wife, and Watson Street and Evelyn Street obtained their names from the same source. Dr Livingston lived in "The Towers" on the Holton Road end of Watson Street. Coronation Street (formerly Sydenham Street, named after Sydenham W. Richards) was renamed when it won the award for the best dressed street in Barry at the coronation celebrations of 1936. Court Road is named after Cadoxton Court (the best view of this property can be seen from Gladstone Road or from the Rectory). Cowbridge Street was named after the bridge that spanned the Coldbrook at Bridge Street. Part has been renamed Price Avenue after Alderman C.T. Price, Mayor of Barry (1964), and not as one local wag stated, Caradoc Price, a well known gypsy who lived nearby in Williams Cottage, Brock Street. Cyril Street was named after Morgan Bros., Builders, who also built Morgan Street. David Street was formerly known as Brickyard Terrace, due to a great number of residents working in nearby Arkell's Brickworks. It was also known as Gwaen-y-Nant (field by the brook). Daniel Street was named after Daniel Jones of Cardiff who owned the land. Davies Street was named after Mr John Davies who built most of the houses in the street. Danvic Close was named after the builders Davies, Bodey & Davies. Digby Street was named after the son of Mr Jones, a member of the syndicate who leased the estate. Dobbins Road is named after a clay pit in area (the Daubing Pit). Dock View Road is self-explanatory. Dorothy Avenue was named after Dorothy Rees, the first female MP to represent Barry. Dovedale Street is in close proximity to the Old Court. The name is derived from the Dovecote situated there. Dudley Place was named after Dudley Howe, Mayor of Barry in 1939 who was instrumental in raising funds for the building of the Memorial Hall. Dunraven Street was named after W.H. Wyndham Quinn, MP, of the Dunraven family. Dyfrig Street was named after St. Dyfrig, one of St. Baruc's followers. Dylan Crescent was named after Dylan Thomas, Welsh playwright and poet.
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Earl Crescent (formerly Other Road) is another street on Barry Island named after the Earl of Plymouth. Other was the name given to the 3rd Earl of Plymouth who was born in 1707, and to the 4th Earl born in 1731. Elizabeth Avenue is named after the Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth. Evans Street, this together with Richard Street and Spencer Street, were Glebe Lands, and were named after Reverend Richard Spencer Evans. It was one of the first streets built in Barry Dock. Everard Street was named after The Everard Land Company, a syndicate that leased land in the area. Fairford Street was named after the ford, which before other streets in the area were built, crossed the Coldbrook River. Flora Street (now named College Road) ran from Broad Street to St. Paul's Avenue and was named after the daughter of Mr Trevor Roberts of the Weston Hill Estate Company Syndicate. Forrest Drive was named after Mr Robert Forrest, agent for the Earl of Plymouth. This was also known as Fort Road by residents of Barry Island. Forster Street was named after Mr T. Forster Brown, an engineer for the Barry Railway Company. Friars Road is named after Friars Point. Part of this road from Plymouth Road to Earl Crescent was named Hewell Road after the residence of the Earl of Plymouth - Hewell Grange. Fryatt Street was named after Mr E. Fryatt Richards. Gaen Street was named after T&C Gaen, Builders and Contractors for the Park Castle Land Company Ltd. Gaspard Place was named after the Romilly Family, as was Romilly Road, Romilly Avenue and Romilly Park. George Street was named after Dr George Neale, Medical Officer of Health for Barry. The former Neale and Kent Hospital (now the new Barry Hospital) was also named after him. Gibbonsdown Rise and Close are built on the fields belonging to Gibbonsdown Farm. Gilbert Street was named after the family of Gilbert de Clare. Gladstone Road wasnamed after Mr Gladstone a former Prime Minister. Glebe Street was built on land belonging to the Church. Graving Dock Street is another street that had its name changed to the name of a church in the vicinity, and is now St. Mary's Avenue. Greenwood Street was named after a wood on the site. Guthrie Street was named after Colonel Guthrie of Dinas Powis. Guys Road was named by Dr Milward after Guys Hospital in London. Hannah Street was named after Mrs Hannah Davies. Hayes Road and Lane were named after the Hayes Farm, one of the largest farms in the area. The ruins of the old windmill is still standing on the edge of Hayes Road, but Hayes Cottages which were built for the farm workers, were demolished by Distillers on the extension of the site. Hebbles Lane was named after the large house built by Josiah Barstow, and used as a private school in early 1900's. Hewell Road is now part of Friars Road, formerly ran from Plymouth Road to Redbrink Crescent, and was named after Hewell Grange, a family home of Lord Windsor. Hillary Rise (formerly named Webster Road and Dock View Road), Hunt Place and Tensing Terrace are named after the conquerors of Mount Everest - an apt choice of name for streets built on Weston Hill. The first tenant to occupy a house on the site was a Mr Everest. Herbert Street was named after the Herbert family of Cardiff. Hill Street was named after Mr Hill of the Weston Hill Estate Company Syndicate. Hinchsliff Avenue was named after Major E.R. Hinchcliff, Borough Architect and Surveyor, and responsible for the design of the Memorial Hall. Holland Way was named after Mary Holland, elected the first lady Mayor of the Borough in 1945, and again in 1957, and later to become a Freeman of the Borough. Holmes Street is named after the Holm Islands. Holton Road was named after Holton Farm. The Welsh translation is Heol Twyn (Road on the Hill). Hood Road was named after Archibald Hood, a director of Barry Railway Company, and also director of Collieries at Llwynypia, and Rosewell in Scotland. Iddesleigh Street (the former name of the bottom part of Main Street) was named after the Earl of Iddesleigh, whose family name was Northcote. Ilminster Road is named after the town of llminster, near Taunton. Iolo Place was named after Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams), the Bard of Glamorgan known as "The Bard of Liberty". He was born in Penon, Llancarvan in 1747, died in 1826, and is buried in Flemingstone Churchyard. Ivor Street was named after Ivor Bertie Guest (created Lord Wimborne in 1880), who owned land on Barry Island and Sully. He died in 1914. Jenkin Street was named after the Jenkin family, who owned a large area of land at Cadoxton. Jenner Road and Jenner Street were named after the Jenner family, who owned the Wenvoe Estate. Jewel Street was named after Jewel Williams, who built the Royal Hotel. Kenilworth Road was named after the town of Kenilworth, and was one of the first streets built in Cadoxton. Kendrick Road was named after one of Mr Forrest's clerks. Kent Green was named after Dr Kent (see George Street). Kingsland Crescent was built by the Kingsland Syndicate, and is the name of a town which was the birthplace of another of Mr Forrest's Clerks. Lakin Drive was named after the Lakin family who farmed Highlight Farm. Mr Cyril Lakin was also elected to parliament in 1942 with a 5,655 majority. Laura Street was named after Laura Jenner of the Wenvoe Estate. Lennox Green was named after Dr Mary Lennox, the first female Medical Officer of Health for Barry. Llandinam Road was named after Lord Davies (Lord Llandinam), a grandson of David Davies who built Barry Dock, and contributed pound for pound towards the cost of building the Memorial Hall. Lloyd Avenue was named after C. Ellis Lloyd, first Labour MP for Llandaff & Barry Division 1929 - 31. He polled 21,468 votes against the standing MP Major Sir William Cope, who polled 18,799 votes. Lowdon Terrace was named after Mr John Lowdon, Managing Director of the Barry Graving Docks & Engineering Company Ltd., a member of the Education Committee, and a committed Christian. McQuade Place was named after Mrs McQuade, who organised free school meals for Barry Island children during the depression. The McQuade family were licensees of the Marine Hotel for many years. Maslin Park was named after Councillor Maslin, who managed to obtain the land from the Plymouth Estate for the benefit of the residents of Barry Island. Maes-y-Cwm Street (field in the valley) was built on the site of a wood which bore the same name. A footpath which ran through the wood came out on the corner of Tynewydd Road at the back of the park, and is shown on pre-war Ordnance Survey maps. Main Street was built to be the main shopping street of Barry. It comprised two parts, Iddesleigh Street from the Vere Street end to Quarella Street, and Main Street from there to the Royal Hotel. Iddesleigh Street was later combined into Main Street. Margaret Avenue was named after Princess Margaret. Market Street was named after the Old Market Hall, now Romilly Snooker Club. Meggitt Road was named after Mr J.C. Meggitt, a former Chairman of Barry Urban District Council, who started Meggitt and Jones Ltd., one of the largest Timber Importers in the principality. He was also chairman of the Congregational Church Union, and together with his wife presented Barry with its first hospital in Kingsland Crescent. Melrose Street was named after Melrose, a town in Scotland. Merthyr Dyfan Road named after Merthyr Dyfan Church. Merthyr Street was named after the town of Merthyr. The street was formerly in two parts, and the Thompson Street end to Llantwit Street was named Wood Street. Milton Road is part of the Colcot Estate known as "Poets Corner". Milward Road was named after Dr Milward, a former owner of "The Old Court". Morgan Street was built by Morgan Brothers, and named after them. Land at 19-41 Jewel Street, and 1-31 Morgan Street, was known as "The Mye Acre". Montgomery Road was formerly named St. Pauls Place, and renamed after General Montgomery's victory at El Alemain. Morel Street was named after Sir Thomas Morel, a director of the Barry Railway Company. Mount Pleasant (formerly Norwich Road) was renamed after Mount Pleasant Church. The name came from a public house where the first Pastor of the Church was born. Munro Place was named after Pat Munro, National Conservative MP for Llandaff and Barry. He was elected in October 1931 with a majority of 1,823 votes over the first Labour MP elected in the constituency, Mr Ellis Lloyd. Nant Talwg Way is named after the stream that ran through the site and down through Porthkerry Park. Nesta Street was the former name of St. Paul's Avenue, and was named after one of Robert Forrest's family. New House Court was named after New House Farm, and stands on the site once owned by the Jenkins family. Northcote Terrace was named after the family name of the Earl of Iddesleigh, and not as I was given to understand by an old resident, because it faced the north side of the Dovecote in the Old Court. O'Donnell Road was named after Dr O'Donnell, a prominent local doctor, who was one of a group of people who were instrumental in establishing the Catholic Church in Barry. By bringing a visiting priest from Cardiff to Barry to conduct services, it enabled sufficient funds to be raised for the building of St. Helen's RC Church. Oban Street is named after Oban in Scotland. Old Mill Road was named after Old Mill Farm in Vere Street. Old Village Road was formerly part of Love Lane, the old parish road which ran from Porthkerry to Cold Knap farm. It was named after a collection of cottages there, built by the Romilly Estate for its workers. Orchard Drive was named after the site of an orchard owned by the Fouracre family. Oxford Street is named after Oxford University. |
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Paddock Place was named after the paddock where Mr Paulett, a prominent local haulier, kept some of his horses and carts. Paget Road is named after a family name of the Earl of Plymouth. Palmer Street and Palmerston Road were named after the Palmer family (not Lord Palmerston) who owned a considerable amount of land in the area. Pardoe Crescent was named after Mr Pardoe, Architect & Surveyor for Barry, who was responsible for the planning, and supervised the building of, the former Barry Accident Hospital. Park Crescent was built on land leased in 1890 by the Park Castle Building Company Ltd. The company also leased land on which Castle Street, (named after Barry Castle), Kathleen Street (named after daughter of one of the directors). and Lewis Street (named after Mr Lewis, a director of the company) are built. Other directors were Dr George Neale, Messrs. D. Roberts, Lewis Jones, J. Jenkins and C.J. Vaughan, with Mr. W. Lewis as secretary. Park Road and Park Avenue are so named because of their close proximity to both Romilly and Porthkerry Parks. Peterswell Road was named after the site of Peter's Well, also known as Beggars Well. Phyllis Street was named after daughter of the Earl of Plymouth. Plymouth Road was named after the Earl of Plymouth. Powell Duffryn Way was named after the Powell Duffryn Collieries and Company. Port Road was the road leading to Aberthaw, which was used as a port in the early 19th century. Proctor Close was named after John Proctor, a former Borough Surveyor. Pyke Street was named after Mr T. Pyke Thompson, a director of the Barry Railway Company. Quarella Street is based on the Welsh name for the quarry which practically surrounds it. Rectory Road was named after Cadoxton Rectory, built at the end of the road and overlooking Gladstone Road. Redbrink Crescent was named after Redbrink point, and the strata of reddish coloured rocks in the cliffs nearby. Regent Street was named after Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. Richard Street, together with Evans Street and Spencer Street, were Glebe Lands, and were named after Reverend Richard Spencer Evans. It was one of the first streets built in Barry Dock. Riverside Place was named after the old bed of the Cadoxton River, which ran at the end of the street. Robert Street was named after the builder, Mr Joseph Roberts, who built many of the houses. Robins Lane was named after one of the Jenkins family that lived there, and bore the name Robin or Robert. Romilly Road, Romilly Park Road and Romilly Avenue are all named after the Romilly family. St. Aidans Rise (part of Main Street), was named after St. Aidans Church (now demolished) which was established on the opposite side of the road. St. Nicholas Road was the old parish road, one of a number of roads to be renamed after a church in the area (St. Nicholas Church). St. Pauls Avenue (formerly Nesta Street) is another road that was renamed on the building of a Church. St. Oswalds Road was named after Oswald Evans of Cadoxton, a builder, not a saint, who built the first house in the street. Sea View Terrace was named after Sea View Cottage, which was one of the cottages in the area when the street was being built. Shakespeare Road and Shelley Crescent are part of "Poets Corner". Slade Road was named after Slade Wood. Southey Street and Southesk Place are both a corruption of South East. Spencer Street, this together with Richard Street and Evans Street, were Glebe Lands, and were named after Reverend Richard Spencer Evans. It was one of the first streets built in Barry Dock. Spring Street was named after the Cadoxton River that drove the water mill situated at the bottom of it. Station Street was named after Barry Dock Station, which is situated at the Dock View Road end. Subway Road was named after the subway that passed under the Barry to Cardiff railway line. Stratford Green is a small estate with streets named after Shakespeare's plays, characters in them, and persons associated with him. Their names are Avon Close, Verona Place, Hathaway Place and Arden Way. Tennyson Road is another part of "Poets Corner. The Grove (formerly Park Grove) was named after Romilly Park, and the grove of trees which was situated nearby. Thompson Street was named after Mr Thompson, a director of the Barry Railway Company. Tordoff Way was named after Mr Tordoff, an officer of the council. Travis Street was named after Mr Travis, and was at the end of Kingsland Crescent, and is now part of the Thompson Street development. It and Hirwaun Street were demolished for re-development, and in the early part of the century it included Gueret Street, named after Mr Louis Gueret, a Director of the Barry Railway Company. The street earned a fairly sordid reputation, and finally lost its name when Hirwaun Street was extended after a fire destroyed a number of houses there. Treharne Road was named after Mr Treharne who owned the land. Trinity Street is another street whose name was changed on the building of the Church. Tynewydd Road was named after Tynewydd House, now the Tynewydd Inn, built by Mr Thomas who kept the farm on Barry Island for many years. Ty-Verlons Estate is on the site of Ty-Verlon Farm, which was known by many as Barratt's Farm, after the family that lived there for many years. Vere Street was named after the family of Dr Milward, who owned the Old Court. Victoria Park Road was named after Victoria Park that it surrounds. The park was named after Queen Victoria. Victoria Road was also named after Queen Victoria. Weston Square and Weston Street were named after Weston Farm, which was situated nearby. Well Walk was named after the well, used by a local farmer to draw water for his cattle, that grazed on fields at Cold Knap. Wellfield Close was named after Wellfield House, which was demolished to enable houses to be built on the site. White House was named after the White House built by Sir William Graham, and now demolished. Whitewell Road (Ffynon Wen) is named after a well in the area. Wilfred Street was named after a son of Mr. Trevor Roberts a member of the Weston Hill Syndicate Willoughby Street named after the son of Mr Jones, who was a bank manager in Vere Street. Wimborne Road was named after Lord Wimborne (Ivor Bertie Guest), who owned land at Sully and Barry Island. Windsor Road was named after the Earl of Plymouth. Winston Road and Winston Square were named after Winston Churchill. Witchill Estate and Public House were named after the woods nearby, that contained an abundance of Witch Elms. A small cottage (since demolished) that stood opposite Cadoxton School bore the same name. Woodham Close was named after the Woodham family, who had a small market garden on the site. Woodland Road and Woodland Court are built on the site of Newlands Wood. Wyndham Street was named after W. H. Wyndham Quinn, MP, a member of the Dunraven family. Prior to the building of the Accident Hospital it was named Crossway Street, but upon the opening of the hospital it was decided to rename it. At the time it was suggested that it should be named Thurston Road after the leaseholder, or in anticipation of the day that the town might gain Borough status - Borough Road.
© T. CLEMETT 2002
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