Tag Archives: Upminster
A walk down Corbets Tey Road
Earlier articles have looked at the history of the area of Upminster south of St Mary’s Lane, including New Place, High House, Hoppy Hall and Gaynes Park. This piece takes a look at the history of the other properties which … Continue reading
A village at war: Upminster 1914-18
When the newly completed St Laurence church hall had opened on 17 April 1914, “the result of a year’s labour”, few would have guessed that within four months it would be pressed into emergency service as a hospital as part … Continue reading
Going Up The Junction?
To folk of my generation the phrase “Up the Junction” conjures up distant memories of a controversial 1965 BBC play, starring Carol White (later of “Cathy Come Home” & “Poor Cow” fame), made into a film a few years later … Continue reading
Upminster Court – final flourish of the great house
As you travel up Hall Lane, past the golf clubhouse at Upminster Hall on your right, just before you reach the roundabout with Avon Road, on your left stands the grand and recently restored Edwardian mansion of Upminster Court, overlooking … Continue reading
High House and its rich cast of characters
Have you ever wondered how Byron Parade in Corbets Tey Road came to be named after Lord Byron, one of Britain’s most famous poets? Or wanted to know what the site was before this 1930s shopping parade was built or … Continue reading
Upminster’s Remarkable Historian: T L Wilson (1833-1919)
How strange it seems today that a village carpenter, who died in relative poverty, devoted much of his life to documenting Upminster’s history through his books and scrapbook collections of local archives. That carpenter and local historian was Thomas Lewis … Continue reading
Upminster’s Tragic Link to Black Friday
The so called “Black Friday” sales every November and related disturbances brings back thoughts of Upminster’s own connection to the original Black Friday of more than a century ago, which contributed to a tragic death in the village just over … Continue reading
Who was Sir James Esdaile?
Those familiar with Upminster’s history will know that Sir James Esdaile (c.1714 to 1793) was a major land-owner who was responsible for rebuilding many of Upminster’s largest residences and buildings including Gaynes, New Place, Harwood Hall and the Bell Inn. … Continue reading
Gaynes Park – perhaps Upminster’s least loved manor house
In contrast to Upminster Hall, which continues to be part of Upminster’s heritage and which was owned for over 200 years by the same family, the Branfills, the Gaynes Park estate and its manor house survive now only in name … Continue reading
Old Upminster 