Singlewell
Encyclopedia
Singlewell or Ifield is the name given to the area south of Gravesend
in Kent
, England.
Originally two separate settlements on either side of Watling Street
, it is now separated by the A2 road
and bears little resemblance to its past. Singlewell Road leads from the town southwards to the A2.
The name Singlewell, originally Shinglewell - and not therefore referring to it having the only well in the district -
and its eponymous ancient well with ancient origins has now come to mean the area now part of the built-up area of Gravesend. The well was filled in during World War I
. The original Watling Street is now Hever Court Road and the nearby estate named after it was built in 1957. Hever Court itself was the original home of the medieval family who moved to Hever, Kent
in 1331. Hever Court eventually became derelict and was demolished in 1952.
Ifield, once a large rural parish, is now a few houses south of the main road, and the tiny church of St Margaret, with Norman architecture
included in its walls. The parish formed part of Strood Rural District
from 1894 and was abolished on 1 April 1935, split between Cobham
and the Municipal Borough of Gravesend.
The George Inn is also located in Hever Court Road: it was a favourite establishment of Gravesend residents in the 19th century, it being within walking distance from the town; not too different from today, although there is also a Best Western
hotel (the Manor); and the Gravesend South Premier Inn, both serving traffic on the A2 road.
Gravesend, Kent
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England.
Originally two separate settlements on either side of Watling Street
Watling Street
Watling Street is the name given to an ancient trackway in England and Wales that was first used by the Britons mainly between the modern cities of Canterbury and St Albans. The Romans later paved the route, part of which is identified on the Antonine Itinerary as Iter III: "Item a Londinio ad...
, it is now separated by the A2 road
A2 road (Great Britain)
The A2 is a major road in southern England, connecting London with the English Channel port of Dover in Kent. This route has always been of importance as a connection between the British capital of London and sea trade routes to Continental Europe...
and bears little resemblance to its past. Singlewell Road leads from the town southwards to the A2.
The name Singlewell, originally Shinglewell - and not therefore referring to it having the only well in the district -
and its eponymous ancient well with ancient origins has now come to mean the area now part of the built-up area of Gravesend. The well was filled in during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The original Watling Street is now Hever Court Road and the nearby estate named after it was built in 1957. Hever Court itself was the original home of the medieval family who moved to Hever, Kent
Hever, Kent
Hever is a village and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, England. The parish is located on the River Eden, a tributary of the River Medway, east of Edenbridge. It is by in extent, and in area...
in 1331. Hever Court eventually became derelict and was demolished in 1952.
Ifield, once a large rural parish, is now a few houses south of the main road, and the tiny church of St Margaret, with Norman architecture
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
included in its walls. The parish formed part of Strood Rural District
Strood Rural District
Strood Rural District was a rural district in the county of Kent, England.It was subject to boundary reforms in 1934 and 1935.It consisted of the following civil parishes:*Allhallows...
from 1894 and was abolished on 1 April 1935, split between Cobham
Cobham, Kent
Cobham is a village and civil parish in the Gravesham District of Kent, England. It is located south of Watling Street, the old road from Dover to London, six miles south-east of Gravesend. The hamlet of Sole Street lies within the parish, which covers an area of 1,240 ha and has a population of...
and the Municipal Borough of Gravesend.
The George Inn is also located in Hever Court Road: it was a favourite establishment of Gravesend residents in the 19th century, it being within walking distance from the town; not too different from today, although there is also a Best Western
Best Western
Best Western International, Inc. is the third largest hotel chain, with over 4,195 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The chain, with its corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, operates more than 2,000 hotels in North America alone. Best Western has a marketing program involving placement of free...
hotel (the Manor); and the Gravesend South Premier Inn, both serving traffic on the A2 road.