History of Bell Lane
Bell Lane is named after the Bell Inn that stands at the entrance to the lane.
If anyone has any pictures or other details that we can add to this history then we would be grateful to have them. Please note that some of the pictures shown here may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.
If anyone has any pictures or other details that we can add to this history then we would be grateful to have them. Please note that some of the pictures shown here may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.
Originally Bell Lane only extended for about 100 yards and you can still see one of the posts of the gate that marked the end. The remainder of the road was known as Ninnings Drive and led to Ninnings Farm. This map made in 1923 shows the fence that was the original end of Bell Lane and that in 1923 there were no houses in the lane. Some cottages stood where Bell Close is now.
By 1938 some houses had been built and one of the first was Franclare which is the rectangular building to the south of the lane.
By this time the whole length of the road was called Bell Lane.
By this time the whole length of the road was called Bell Lane.
Franclare was built in 1929 by Francis and Clara Mahoff, hence Franclare, for the Poultry Farm and Market Garden that he created in 1928.
This picture shows the farm that covered the land to the south of Bell Lane in about 1929.
This picture shows the farm that covered the land to the south of Bell Lane in about 1929.
Franclare was built by Payne Brothers of Watford and cost £1,075.
There was no gas or electricity. Heating and cooking was by coal and coke fires.
The picture shows it shortly after it was built and apart from the replacement of the sheds on the right by a modern garage it still looks much the same today.
At the time the section of road where it was built was still known as Ninnings Drive.
The land was sold separately to become what is now Bell Lane Farm when Frank Mahoff died in 1956.
There was no gas or electricity. Heating and cooking was by coal and coke fires.
The picture shows it shortly after it was built and apart from the replacement of the sheds on the right by a modern garage it still looks much the same today.
At the time the section of road where it was built was still known as Ninnings Drive.
The land was sold separately to become what is now Bell Lane Farm when Frank Mahoff died in 1956.
The map of the road in 2019 shows the houses that have since been built in the lane.
