Bowdon

Bowdon, Hale
Cheshire
Bowdon Parish Church
Location
Grid reference:	SJ757866
Location:	53°22’34"N, 2°21’58"W
Data
Population:	8,806  (2006 est.)
Post town:	Altrincham
Dialling code:	0161
Local Government
Council:	Trafford
Parliamentary constituency:	Altrincham and Sale West

Bowdon is a village in northern Cheshire, within a cluster of contiguous towns with Altrincham and Hale. Along with Hale it is an affluent area, similar to Wilmslow and other towns in the 'Cheshire Golden Triangle'. Nearby are several small villages and the estate at Dunham Massey, owned by the National Trust.

History

Both Bowdon and Dunham Massey are mentioned in the Domesday Book, citing the existence of a church and a mill in Bowdon, and Dunham Massey is identified as Doneham: Hamo de Mascy.

The name Bowdon came from the Old English Boga dun meaning "bow hill" or "curved hill".

Both areas came under Hamo de Masci in Norman times. His base was a wooden castle at Dunham. Watch Hill Castle was built on the border between Bowdon and Dunham Massey between the Norman Conquest and the 13th century. The timber castle most likely belonged to Hamo de Mascy; the castle had fallen out of use by the 13th century. The last Hamo de Masci died in 1342. The Black Death came to the area in 1348. Before 1494 the ruins of the castle at Dunham were acquired by Sir Robert Booth. In 1750, this and the other Booth estates passed to the Earl of Stamford by his marriage to Lady Mary Booth. The 10th and last Earl of Stamford died in 1976, who bequeathed Dunham Massey and his Carrington estates to the National Trust.

The development of Bowdon as a residential area began apace in the 1840s, when the landowners of the area sold off parcels of land. The opening of Bowdon railway station in 1849 provided a commuter route to the centre of Manchester, making the clean air and tranquility of the Bowdon Downs more attractive to developers. Initially, terraces and semi-detached houses were built, but by the 1860s and 1870s, the 'merchant princes' had built the large houses on Green Walk which are still a defining feature of the ward. By 1878 Kelly's Directory was describing Bowdon as "studded with handsome villas and mansions", and around 60% of the residents were business owners. Mains water appeared in 1864, and gas lighting by 1865.

The Altrincham History Society Tour highlights historical facts about Bowdon:

• The listed Altrincham/Dunham boundary stone of 1840 is in the garden wall of number 1 Higher Downs at the bottom right. This indicates the boundary of the ancient (1290) Borough of Altrincham with Dunham Massey.
• The area from the Devisdale across to The Downs was known as Bowdon Downs until about 1750 and was used as a common. 10,000 of Prince Rupert's troops camped here and on Knutsford Heath in May 1644 on their way from Shrewsbury to Marston Moor during the Civil War. In December 1688 Lord Delamer, later the Earl of Warrington, rallied forces here from his tenants in support of the Prince of Orange, afterwards William III, who had arrived in Britain to claim the Crown.
• The Altrincham Show used to be held on The Devisdale, Bowdon until 1966. Farmers came from nationwide to show cattle.

Geography

Bowdon stands on a ridge which rises above the Cheshire Plain, attached to Altrincham's area but at the edge of the open countryside. It has been described as an affluent and attractive place to live.

The National Trust's Dunham Massey Estate, which serves as a significant communal asset for the residents of the local and wider areas. The estate includes Dunham Massey Hall and a deer park.

Church

Bowdon Parish is part of the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield within the Diocese of Chester. The parish church of St Mary the Virgin can be seen very clearly from the Cheshire Plain.

The parish is attached to others including: Altrincham St George, Altrincham St John, Ashley, Ashton upon Mersey St Martin, Ashton upon Mersey St Mary Magdalene, Bowdon, Broadheath, Dunham Massey St Margaret, Dunham Massey St Mark, Hale, Oughtrington, Partington and Carrington, Ringway, Sale St Anne, Sale St Paul, Timperley and Warburton.

The registers of baptisms 1628–1964, marriages 1628–1964 and burials 1628–1973 have been deposited at the Cheshire Record Office.

Leisure and recreation

• Dunham Massey – formerly the home of the last Earl of Stamford, it was acquired by the National Trust in 1976. It was built on the site of the original Tudor house. The current property is described as "a Country estate including mansion with important collections and 'below stairs' areas, impressive garden and deer park";

• Cricket:
  • Bowdon Cricket Club, Hockey and Squash Club
  • Bowdon Vale Cricket Club, founded in the early 1870s
• Croquet: Bowdon Croquet Club, founded in 1873
• Rugby: Bowdon Rugby Union Football Club, founded in 1877
• Tennis and bowling:
  • Bowdon Lawn Tennis Club, founded 1877
  • Bowling: Bowdon Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1873
• Golf: Bowdon Golf Club, Dunham Massey (now defunct) was founded in 1890. The club continued until the early 1950s.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bowdon)

• Altrincham History Society Tour
• From the 18th century, the 'Bowdon Wakes' were held on The Devisdale.
• Bowdon ward profile