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As can be seen from the 1771 Map of Dorchester 'West Walks' were originally called 'Old Walks' or 'Bowling Alley' but the first postcard below probably taken in the mid 1890's refers to them as 'West Avenue'. The 1886 Ordnance Survey Map of Dorchester shows the double row of trees which are 'West Walks' extending from Prince's Street southwards to run along the side of the Nursery until it takes a 90 degree turn to meet the 'South Gate' of Dorchester . The spare ground to the left of 'West Walks' , including the Nursery, were redeveloped and opened as The Borough Gardens on 30th July 1896 and this transformation can be seen in the 1901 Ordnance Survey Map. The smaller section after the 90 degree turn towards 'South Gate' was then formally labeled as 'Bowling Alley Walk'
1. West Avenue (West Walks) - Picture c1895
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The card below was first introduced in 1899 and you were only allowed to write the address on the back, so many people started writing on the front around the picture. This card was posted to Holland from Dorchester on 20th Dec 1901 arriving at Justfaas near Utrect the next day. Queen Victoria died on 22nd Jan 1901 but her stamps clearly remained in use for a while. The picture used however predates the card and was probably taken in the mid 1890's. It is difficult to be sure exactly where on 'West Walks' this was taken.
'West Avenue' (West Walks) posted 20th Dec 1901
©Private Postcard Collection: Mr.M Russell FIPD All Rights Reserved
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This Card is in the Dainty Series issued by ETW Dennis & Sons Ltd - Card No. P63201 - and produced circa 1906-1910. It shows 'West Walks' in Dorchester with a young girl sitting on a bench. The hat she is wearing is typical of those worn by children circa 1910. The Borough Gardens are over the fence (opened 1896) and clearly still attracting much attention with three adults and a child all looking over the fence. They were probably therefore standing opposite the bandstand, near the centre of west walks as shown in the 1901 Ordnance Survey Map.
The narrow Street behind the girl is West Walk Road.
'West Walks' looking north to 'West Gate' - Borough Gardens on left
©Private Postcard Collection: Mr.M Russell FIPD - Card P 63201
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From the negative number 57390 on this postcard made by Valentine's we know this photograph was taken in 1907. It has been taken further back up 'West Walks' during the winter so we have a view of the bandstand in Borough Gardens
and even the clock tower which was painted red, green and gold.
There is an inscription recording the gift of the clock to the town by Charles Hansford in 1905.
There is a general link to Borough Gardens below this card but you may be interested to see the Postcard there via this link which has a view taken from inside the garden looking back at West Walks on the left and a modern day picture of the clock
'West Walks' Looking North to 'West Gate' - Borough Gardens on left
Valentine Image 57390 taken c1907.
Posted in Dorchester 20th August 1920
Link to: Postcards, Information and Photographs of Borough Gardens
4. 100 years later - April, 2008
© Copyright Nigel Mykura licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. 'West Walks House' - Picture taken 1928
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In this Postcard we are looking the other way down 'West Walks' so Borough Gardens is on the right. The Impressive House on the left is 'West Walks House' built in 1851, so I have provided this link to a separate account written by Richard Smith
about it's history and where you will find a great picture of the rear of this house taken c1880. It is best located on the 1886 Map of Dorchester, on the right hand side of the walks, just above the 'Nursery' on the left and the little row of 8 Alms Houses on the right. Thankfully the postcard below was produced by Valentines and gives the negative number as 204107 from which we know it was taken in 1928.
'West Walks' looking south from the old 'West Gate'
Borough Gardens is over the hedge on the right - Image 209-107. J.V
Posted in Dorchester - 1st Oct 1934
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At the very top of 'West Walks', just south of the 'Top o' Town roundabout and the 'Old West Gate' into Dorchester
there stands a short section of the old Roman Wall. This wall was given to the town by Lucia Stone in 1886 and included in the redevelopment that year. It remains cut off therefore from the rest of West Walks by Albert Road crossing into Prince's St and this picture has been taken from Albert Road looking north up to West Gate with the rubble core of the old Roman Wall evident on the right with its commemorative plaque
'West Walks' looking north from Albert Road towards 'West Gate'
Link to more Pictures of the Roman Wall
Kingsway Real Photo Series - Posted in Bridport - 2nd Oct 1910