West Lodge

Built c1815, West Lodge is a landmark building in the Parish of Up Hatherley, Cheltenham which remains a striking feature in the locale, and is one of  the oldest surviving dwellings in the Parish, and Cheltenham.

Up Hatherley was formerly a hamlet in the parish of Shurdington, with just a few buildings, mainly farms, including Greatfield Farm (now the farm shop), Brickhouse Farm (in Chargrove Lane), South Farm (now South Park), West Farm (now West Lodge), Up Hatherley Farm, with Manor Farm at its historic core. In 1887 Up Hatherley became a parish in its own right.

At the time of the very first census in 1841 West Lodge was one of only four houses in the Parish, when the population of  Up Hatherley was then just 22 people. By 1901 the geographically large parish of Up Hatherley contained only 113 inhabitants living in 22 dwellings. In 1951 the population was 187, but by 1971 it had risen to 1,195. From 1960 onwards much of the farmland was converted into estate suburbs to house Cheltenham's rapidly expanding population.

It was originally a Farmhouse,  one of only four in the area at the time of the first Census,  with acres of arable land which was gradually sold off over the years, as happened with the other nearby Farms. (see: http://www.uphatherleyparish.co.uk/community/up-hatherly-parish-council-13769/local-history/)

West Lodge was originally the first house at the top of Sunnyfield Lane,  before nearby road alterations in the 1990's  placed its address instead on Cold Pool Lane.

The setting is semi-rural, with green fields and wildlife to one side, whilst nearby is well served by local amenities and good transport links.