Bowdon Road (13)

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St. Anne’s Home on the left was built as a consumption hospital but incorporates the original 1837 house Beech Grove. It was named after Joseph and Anne Sidebotham, who sold the house for use as a hospital and donated £2000. The Crossley brothers of Crossley Motors helped finance later extensions.

Bowdon Downs Congregational Church further up on the left was built in 1847.

Bowdon Road continues southwest as The Firs, previously Burying Lane, to St. Mary's Church. Opposite to us is an entrance to The Devisdale (Devis' Dole), previously part of Bowdon Downs, which held the Altrincham Agricultural Show from 1896 to 1966, said to be the largest one-day show in the country and which had started in 1861. Farmers came to show cattle from all over Britain, including Norfolk, the West Country and Scotland. Machinery and animals came by train to Altrincham and Hale stations as well as by road. For locals it was a day out and an opportunity to buy cheap bacon and prize vegetables at the end of the show. During the last war troops were under canvas here.

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 England.

Turn left where the site of Bowdon Lodge became the Altrincham County High School for Girls in 1910. Opposite as an annex to the school is Fairlie where Francis Crossley lived.

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