IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Kingshill Road, SWINDON, SN1 4NG

The lower end of Kingshill Road contains a selection of different architectural styles. The main property here is a Victorian villa with a small shop attached whilst to its right is the start of some 1970s infill or backland development. The trees behind mark the line of an old canal. I have been told by a fellow contributor that the property is mid 19th century and in the 1920s was occupied by the family of Edwin Blake, a local builder. At that time the property was named 'Rushey Platt House'.

Grandly named, the Home Appliance Centre is quite a small shop. I often wonder how it manages to compete with the large chain retailers. The housing in the shade of the trees at the left is 1970s infill. I have been informed by a fellow contributor that the shop was an extension built in the late 1920s by Edwin Blake and Sons who were local builders whose family lived in the main house Image Originally the shop sold decorating materials such as paint and wallpaper. The entrance to the car park provided access to the Blakes' builder's yard where there was also a lime pit.

The title refers to the modern redbrick terrace of properties in the centre. They have taken the place of the Victorian villa that stood here only a few years ago Image The cottages can be seen from the other direction here Image

This is another view of the modern terrace of properties seen here Image

Looking along Kingshill Road.

The group of houses seen here were all built in the 1920's by Edwin Blake builders, who were based at Rushey Platt House [the end of which just appears on the extreme left]. The houses were erected in part of the extensive gardens of the house and were mainly sold or rented out to relatives. The builders yard was situated between the main house and the canal with further gardens to the rear - now occupied by roads and dwellings in Erin Court.

Off Kingshill Road.

Approaching the roundabout on Kingshill Road.

This fascinating little shop has been here many years catering for collectors of such esoterica as cigarette cards, post cards, coins, badges and other small but valued items. The property dates to the early 1920s and was built by a local building company called Edwin Blake and Sons. The shop originally sold sweets and sundries such as greetings cards. Thanks to a fellow contributor for the additional information.

The line of the former Wilts and Berks canal on the west side of the town. There was water here in the 1920's, but the canal must have been filled in soon after.