High Path area, Merton: Part of Lord Nelson's former estate
| Partial / Incomplete Date | July 1913 |
|---|---|
| Area | Merton |
| Copyright 1 | London Borough of Merton |
| Picture Reference | MerMor_Streets_H_24-1 |
| Original Format | Photo |
| Notes / History | Prior to Lord Nelson’s return from the sea, his lover Emma Hamilton devoted her energies to renovating Merton Place, planting trees and shrubs and stocking the associated farm, assisted by her mother Mrs Cadogan. Emma also stocked the little waterway, an offshoot of the Wandle, with fish and christened it “the Nile”, in honour of Nelson’s famous victory off the shores of Egypt. This area was popularly known as "the Dipping Hole." The concrete and metal railing survived until the mid 1960s, if not slightly later. The housing of Abbey Road and Nelson Grove Road is just visible. The orchards pictured were part of a smallholding, later used for a Parcelforce sorting office and ultimately the local probation service office at 27 High Path. This area is now covered by the High Path housing estate. |
