Upper Saxondale

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 52.945
longitude= -1.004
map_type = Nottinghamshire
official_name= Upper Saxondale
shire_district= Rushcliffe
shire_county = Nottinghamshire
region= East Midlands
constituency_westminster= Rushcliffe
post_town= NOTTINGHAM
postcode_district = NG12
postcode_area= NG
dial_code= 0115

Upper Saxondale is a residential area situated mainly in the parish of Radcliffe on Trent, in the Nottinghamshire borough of Rushcliffe. A section also falls within the parish of Cropwell Butler. Upper Saxondale is located in an upland area set between the River Trent and the Vale of Belvoir and between the A52 road and the A46 road close to their junction at Saxondale Roundabout near Bingham. The nearby hamlet of Saxondale was the site of an Anglo-Saxon fort and earthworks, clearly visible from the A52 road.

Characteristics

Upper Saxondale was developed on the site of the former Saxondale Hospital [cite web|url=http://www.countyasylums.com/mentalasylums/saxondale01.htm |accessdate=2007-08-10 |title=Saxondale Hospital |work=County Asylums] by David Wilson Homes from approximately 1995 to 2001. The area includes approximately 350 dwellings, ranging from 3 bedroom converted hospital buildings to newly built 5-6 bedroom detached houses. There is also a Thai restaurant-bar called East, a hairdresser, tennis club and bowling green. The estate is surrounded by parkland, much of which is owned by Upper Saxondale Residents' Association. [cite web |url=http://www.usra.org.uk |title=Upper Saxondale Residents Association |accessdate=2007-08-10]

Upper Saxondale is a designated conservation area of 30 hectares. The boundary of this conservation area contains the entire former Saxondale Hospital site and includes extensive semi-wooded grounds, parkland landscape and many fine trees.

The chapel was built in 1902 to the designs of E.W. Roberts, the then County Architect, for use by hospital staff and patients. The small, revivalist styleClarifyme building, with gothic fittings, has been retained as a church.

Towards the northern end of the site, there are three houses collectively known as "Top Lodges" which mark the original main entrance to the hospital, and were originally occupied by senior staff. Many of the original nurses' houses, which were built in 1930, can also be found to the northern end of the site and along Saxondale Drive (formerly Hospital Drive).

David Wilson Homes originally called the development "St James Park", but the residents voted to change the name to "Upper Saxondale" at a Residents' Association meeting in 1999. Upper Saxondale also includes the original houses on Saxondale Drive, which are not part of the David Wilson Homes development.

Today the site is a blend of old and new. High quality conversions of the Victorian buildings, the mature parkland, its core of community buildings and its public open spaces have resulted in an ususual residential area of special character and quality.

There are several ghost stories relating to the history of the area: most notably a troop of Roman soldiers marching up Henson Lane.

King Henry VII is said to have camped on land to the west of Upper Saxondale during the Battle of Stoke Field.

Saxondale Hospital

The former Saxondale Hospital was the county asylum for Nottinghamshire, and was used as a military hospital during World War I from August 1918 to October 1919 to care for shell-shocked soldiers. [http://www.1914-1918.net/hospitals_uk.htm . Retrieved 2007-08-10] The hospital was built to replace Sneinton Asylum and the foundation stone was laid on 25 July 1899. The new building — designed by architect E. Purnell Hooley, better known as the inventor of Tarmac — was two stories high, cost £FORMATNUM:147000 and had accommodation for 452 patients (226 of each sex). The convert|130|acre|km2 surrounding the hospital cost £FORMATNUM:6800. It was officially opened 24 July 1902 by Lady Elinor Denison. In 1913 extensions were made for 148 patients, which cost £FORMATNUM:29833. In 1932, two further blocks were erected, each to accommodate 50 female patients. In 1955, two further villas were built, one to accommodate 36 females and the other 36 males. The hospital closed in 1987 and was partly demolished prior to redevelopment. [cite web|url=http://www.mdx.ac.uk/WWW/STUDY/4_13_Ta.htm#East%20Midlands |work=Middlesex University |title=Index of English and Welsh Lunatic Asylums and Mental Hospitals |accessdate=2007-08-10] The hospital has many ghost stories, some builders working for David Wilson homes would have tools vanish which would turn up weeks later behind walls which had not been touched since the hospital was built. some residents after moving in complained of screaming being heard late at night and the ghost of Lady Elinor denison is said to be haunting some areas of the grounds.

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.usra.org.uk/ Upper Saxondale Residents' Association]