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Highcroft Villas

Photo:The View from Highcroft Villas looking north

The View from Highcroft Villas looking north

A potted history
Chosen by Linda, lesbian activist

Built on the top of a railway cutting
Highcroft Villas (of Dyke Road Drive) runs along the top of a railway cutting offering good views of Preston Park and Preston Village. This view is from the Villas looking north across the allotments above the London to Brighton line.

Built for the upper middle class
The imposing semi-detatched, red brick houses which line the street were built in the 1880s for upper middle class residents. An 1885 street directory lists a reverend gentleman and military officers amongst inhabitants.

The former Preston Windmill
At the top of Highcroft Villas are Lambourne's Old Mill Works which were named after the former Preston Windmill that stood on the site. This was originally erected at Belle View (where Regency Square is now), but - following complaints from residents - it was towed over land by 36 oxen on 28 March 1797 to stand on its new site until it was demolished in 1881.

This page was added on 22/03/2006.

Comments:

First I've ever heard of a windmill being in this road!

By Paul B (05/02/2007)

When they took the windmill away, was it reconstructed elsewhere? Are you sure it was on Highcroft Villas? If so, where? Also do you have any information about the road we live on, Inwood Crescent?

By Katy, Inwood Crescent (12/04/2007)

My father Frederick Giles was born at number 11 Inwood Crescent on January 28th 1917. I went there once to see where he was born. Nice place. Never could find out anything about him though he did go to the local Grammar School. Even in those years the place was quite up market.

By Frederick Giles (21/09/2007)

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