The history behind our address

The name of the street we live on is called Chapel Close.  And I'm pretty sure that unlike any other street we've lived on there is a meaning behind the name.  Here's why.

In the middle of the neighborhood there is a green space with stately oaks and, get this....the ruins of a medieval chapel.  The chapel (presently called North Gosforth Chapel) contains reused Roman material and at one time contained a Roman alter stone.  It was built in the late Norman or early medieval times.  The earliest reference to the chapel is in 1256, when it was used as a place of worship.  It was also used as a burial ground.  Some of the gravestones are medieval and some date back to the 17th century.

The last recorded use of the chapel was in 1604.  By 1663 the chapel had been derelict for two years, although the surrounding grassland was still in use as a burial site.  The chapel is thought to have been destroyed by fire in 1690 and never rebuilt.  The site of this ancient chapel was known to residents of Melton Park who helped to uncover it after houses were built in the 1950's.

Now you know the meaning behind the word "Chapel" in our address.  The meaning behind the word "Close" is because it is literally 15 steps from our house.  The picture below is taken from our front door.

And here's our house.  See the garage?  It's the white door right in front of the car.  Can you see it?  Can you? :)