Adventurers' Land

The Adventurers were gentlemen friends of the Earl of Bedford who "adventured" their capital in the area, now known as Wisbech Fen, that was to be drained and developed, circa 1630. Those who did the work were called Undertakers.

Barrett's Bridge

At the northeastern corner of the parish. May be associated with a Wisbech family headed by Thomas Barrett circa 1663, although there is a reference to the bridge in 1529.

Bellamy's Bridge

Derivation not known. First mentioned as "Belymylebrigge" in 1438. Thought to be descriptive of some feature of a mill that stood by the bridge and stream.

Bishop Lands

Large acreage (between Thorney Toll and the site of the former M&GN Railway) in the possession of the Bishops of Ely circa 1460.

Bunkers Hill (Willock)

Small settlement between Tholomas Drove and Wisbech St Mary. Until comparatively recently known as Willock. At the end of the 19^th Century it was the fashion to refer to remote areas by foreign names. It is thought that the name refers to the American Civil War battle.

The Parish Poor House was built at Willock in 1818.

Mr Bob Gardiner's Great Great Grandparents came from Wisbech t Mary and Bob now lives inQuincy Massachusetts USA. Bob writes:

I was looking at your web page (my G-G grandparents came from Wisbech St Mary Cambridgeshire). When reading about the Bunkers Hill (Willock)

Calves Field

Area between Folley's Drove and Plash Drove. Named in 1570, but originally "Caluescroft" 1251.

Cant's Drove

Name first recorded on a map of 1821. Runs from Gull Bank through Wisbech Fen to Bishop Lands

Cheyney Bridge

At junction of Station road, Wisbech St Mary and Leverington Common. Probably associated with the Cheyne family c1348. "Chenyesbrigge" 1536.

Cold Harbour

Where Rummers Lane meets the riverbank. "Cold Harbour" is a nickname of reproach for an exposed place and has no special historical significance.

Cross Guns

Site of wildfowlers' houses and ancient Cross Guns Inn. There was a ferry across the Nene here. One of the principal pumping stations of the North Level Drainage Board occupies the site today.

Folley's Drove

On the course of the ancient Folley's Drain running through to Fallho Farm, Thorney.

Galls Drove

Runs from Black Drove to Willock Lane. From the Old English "gafol" (tax or tribute). Land for which rent was paid as opposed to the common fields.

Garden Lane

Formerly known as Sayer's Field Lane

Gull Bank

Was Gold banke in 1608. The present road follows the bank of the former South Eau river. The bank was removed in the 1930s.

Gull Drove

Runs from Guyhirn to Bishop Lands through Wisbech Fen. Sometimes confused with Gall's Drove and in the 19^th Century was known as Gold Drove.

Guyhirn

Probably derived from a combination of the Old French "guie" (guide) and the Old English "hyrne" (angle or corner). First recorded 1275.

Guyhirn Field

A large acreage to the north of Guyhirn village bounded by Black Drove, Folley's Drove and Gull Bank.

Hiptoft Field

Area between Tholomas Drove and Seadyke. Probably associated with Gilbert de Hyppetoft 1285. "Hiptoftefeilde" in 1536.

Inham Field

Between Wisbech St Mary and New Drove. "Inhamfeld" first mentioned c1380.

Inlays Field

Inlays: an Old English adjective meaning inner or interior. The "Inner Field" was in existence whilst Rummers Field was still a mere.

Long Drove

Between Cant's Drove and Murrow village. "Longam drauam" in 1221.

Mouse Lane

Known as Mouth Lane since Tithe Award of 1840. Originally "Mouthe Drove" 1570, named after the "mouthe" constructed by Bishop Moreton at the head of Moreton's Leam to prevent flooding.

Mundford Field

Situated between Tholomas Drove and Galls Drove. Probably associated with Adam de Mundeford 1213.

Murrow

"Morrowe" in 1376. Row (of cottages) in the marsh.

Murrow Field

History not known. First mentioned in Tithe Award in 1840.

Murrow Lane

Runs north from Tholomas Drove to Murrow village.

Nene Way

Section of a public recreational path running from the Wash to Peterborough along the banks of the Nene.

New Field

Area to the south of Wisbech St Mary between New Drove and the River Nene

Nymondale Field

Ancient field at NE corner of the parish. Earliest reference is 1221. This is thought to be a "dole" which was shared by nine men, or one that required nine men to plough or reap it.

Plash Drove

Runs from Tholomas Drove to Gull Bank. Originally Murrow Plash 1656.

Richey Field

Acreage between Bunkers Hill and Seadyke. Originally "Richeye": low-lying land by the stream.

Rogues Alley aka Hooks Drove

Small settlement in Wisbech Fen at the western end of Cant's Drove.

Rummers Field

Area adjoining Willock Field. Derived from "rummere" (rough mere or swamp) 1226

Sandbank

Runs from Bellamy's Bridge, Leverington Common to High road, Wisbech St Mary. Formerly continued through to riverbank. This section now known as Rummers Lane. First appeared on map in 1821.

Sayers Field

Area between Leverington Common and the north of Wisbech St Mary. Originally "Seyrfeld" in 14^th Century. (see Garden Lane)

Seadyke

Runs between Bellamy's Bridge and Murrow village

Sidney

There is no trace left of this small settlement of labourers' cottages by the north bank of the river Nene in Wisbech Fen.

Tholomas Drove

Historic hamlet in geographical centre of the parish. Tuddenham Hall stood either in Hiptoft or Mundford Fields. The name originally thought to be associated with Walter Tholymer circa 1248.

Thorney Toll

Hamlet situated on the A47 trunk road at the western extremity of the parish. A toll-bar stood on the Thorney side of the parish boundary-hence the name. In the 19^th Century it was known as Boarden House Toll

Willock Field

Area between Rummers Lane and Willock Lane. Derived from "Wydelake" (the broad stream) 1251.

Wisbech Fen

Large acreage of fine agricultural land between the river Nene and Murrow village. Previously known as Wisbech High Fen. "The heighe fenne of Wisbeche" (1250); the heighe is used in the sense of chief or great.