Roads O - R

Road Name

Area

 Date

Grid Ref.

Person/ Place

Reason

Notes

Oakfield Road

Rugby, off Westfield Road

1938

SP 496746

Oakfield House, a house on the opposite side of Bilton Road was later used as a preparatory school.

The road was built on the 31½ acre estate attached to Westfield House in Bilton Road.

Oakfield Preparatory School for Boys existed from the middle of the 19th cen. to the 1920s. The house then became a private club and is now commercial offices.

Oak Street

Rugby, off Dunchurch Road

In the 1840s, see 'Reason' column.

SP 501746

The"Royal Oak" Inn.

This street, which runs from Barby Road to Dunchurch Road, historically separated the land to its south on which was an inn named the "Royal Oak" from land to the north owned by Rugby School.

It was originally known as Oak Terrace, but in about 1909 was arbitrarily given its present name of Oak Street.

The "Royal Oak" Inn was pulled down in 1846 and rebuilt nearer the town centre on the opposite side of Dunchurch Road, when the land om which it stood was bought to allow St Marie's Church to be built.

Many inns and public houses throughout England are known as the "Royal Oak£, in commemoration of the tree at Boscobel, Shropshire, in which the future King Charles II is said to have hidden after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Oberon Close

Bilton, Woodlands Estate, off Cymbeline Way

1968

SP 486728

Oberon

Oberon is the King of the Fairies in a Midsummer Night's Dream, a comedy written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) in 1595/96.

When the Woodlands Estate was laid out in 1964 the Council selected road names "having regard to the quarter centenary of Shakespeare's birth" in 1564.

Old Farm Close

Cawston, off Calvestone Road

2007

SP 477741

Cawston Old Farm

The Close together with much of the Cawston Grange development was built upon the lands of the former Cawston Old Farm.

Omega Place

Rugby, off Railway Terrace

1994

SP 508757

Omega Lamp Works Ltd

Omega Place is sheltered housing that was erected on land that at one time was used as a depot by the Omega Lampworks Ltd for the supply of Electric Lamps and Fluorescent Tubes.

The land on which Omega Place was built was originally a roller skating rink from 1910 to 1915. In 1926 it became the site of the BTH lamp stores. Later it was used for a similar purpose by the Omega Lampworks Ltd. From 1984 to 1992 it was owned by Websters Knitting Wools who used it as a factory and warehouse.

In June 1994 the building was demolished and the site used for a sheltered housing development.

Orlando Close

Bilton, Woodlands Estate, off Wolsey Road

1967

SP 488726

Orlando

Orlando is a character in the romantic comedy, As You Like It, which was written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) in about 1599. Orlando is in love with, and eventually marries, Rosalind the heroine of the play..

When the Woodlands Estate was laid out in 1964 the Council selected road names "having regard to the quarter centenary of Shakespeare's birth" in 1564.

Orson Leys

Rugby, off Dunchurch Road

1964

SP 498733

The origin of this name is not known.

A ley (or lea) is a grass covered field, suitable for grazing animals.

As all of the other Rugby ‘Leys’ are associated with communities in Northants, it is a possibility that this name should have been ‘Orton’, a village near to Rothwell, Northants.

The names of ‘The Leys’ were selected by the developers. Why they chose villages in Northamptonshire is not known.

The Orton Trust run short courses in Stone Masonry and Stone Carving in a converted medieval church at Orton.

Osier Close

Brownsover, off Juniper Way

2019

SP 507780

Common Osier, Salix viminalis

The common osier is a species of willow. It is a deciduous broad-leaf tree native to the UK and Europe that has very flexible branches that are traditionally used for basket making and weaving.

The roads in the area of Brownsover off Lower Lodge Avenue, to the west of Leicester Road, have been named after trees that can be seen in Britain.

Oswald Way

Rugby, off Addison Road

1989

SP 489750

St Oswald's Primary School

Oswald Way id adjacent to St Oswald's Church of England Primary School.

St Oswald's is the parish church for New Bilton. It was merged with St Matthew's Church, Rugby, in 2012.

Othello Close

Bilton, Woodlands Estate, off Montague Road.

1968

SP 486723

Othello, The Moor of Venice

Othello, The Moor of Venice, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) about 1603. He was a Moorish general in the Venetian army.

When the Woodlands Estate was laid out in 1964 the Council selected road names "having regard to the quarter centenary of Shakespeare's birth" in 1564.

Oulton Road

Rugby, off Projects Drive

2009

SP 508770

OUlton Park Circuit, near Little Budworth, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Oulton Park Circuit hosts motor car and motor cycle racing.

Oulton Road is one of the roads near to and off Projects Drive that are named after motor sport venues in the UK.

Oval Road

Hillmorton Paddox Estate, off Sidney Road

1926

SP 518539

 This road includes an 'oval' where it forms a 'tee' junction with Bowen Road.

The Rugby Freehold Land Society named this road on account of its shape.

Oval Road was built on Brown's Farm Estate, near the Paddox when it was developed by the Rugby Freehold Land Society.

Overslade Lane

Rugby, off Dunchurch Road

1930

SP 499739

Overslade, Bilton

Overslade is an area in the north of the parish of Bilton near to the former Westfield House estate.

The origin of the name ‘Overslade’ has not been established.

This lane was originally known as Featherbed Lane, presumably after the nearby Featherbed Farm. Its name was changed about 1930.

Oxford Street

Rugby, off Clifton Road

1877

SP 511751

 The reason behind street name is not known.

As Cambridge Street was built about the same time as Oxford Street, it is presumed that both were named after the famous University towns.

Most clergy of the established church at that time obtained their degree at either Cambridge or Oxford University.

The Old English meaning of Oxford is ‘ford used by oxen).

Packwood Avenue

Hillmorton, Low Hills Estate, off Mellor Road

1961

SP 539738

Sidney Packwood Smart  (1883-1955)

Mayor of Rugby (1943 – 44) and served on the borough council from 1932 – 52.

His occupation was a railway signalman.

Pantolf Place

Newbold on Avon, off Brownsover Road

SP 492772

William Pantolf (d. c1245)

William Pantolf was lord of the manor of Newbold on Avon, having inherited it from his father, Roger Pantolf. On his death his manor house, 3 caracutes of land and fishing rights in the Avon were left to the Priory of Monks Kirby.

As William Pantolf died without issue, the residue of his effects was divided between his co-heirs, his sisters Emma de Waver and Burga de Bending.

At the time of Pantolf the manor sometimes known as Newbold Pantolf, or Newbold Paunton.

Paradise Street

Rugby, off Clifton Road

1870

SP 511751

not known

This street received its name at the request of Theodore Marc Wratislaw (1831 - 1919), who as solicitor to the Freehold Land Society negotiated the purchase of the land from the executors of Mr Highton, the late owner of the land.

It may have been so named because it backs upon the Clifton Road cemetery.

Park Road

Rugby, off North Street

1903

SP 502764

Caldecott Park

This road was erected on the former Lodge Estate at the same time as Caldecott Park. The southern section of the road adjoins the south east side of the park.

The Lodge Estate was the former home of the last Lord of the Manor of Rugby, Thomas Caldecott (1798-1875). The Misses Harris, his grand-daughters by his daughter, Ellen, sold part of the Estate to the Urban District Council to provide a park and sold the remaining part for development, mainly for residential purposes.

Parnell Close

Rugby, off Oliver Street

1977

SP 498752

J Parnell & Son.

Parnell Close was built on land formerly occupied by this prestigious building and construction firm.

Parnell’s carried out much construction work for Edwin Lutyens, the famous architect. The founder of this firm was William Parnell (1791-1864). On his death his son, John (1816-85), took over the business, which became J Parnell & Son. It was acquired in 1968 by the construction firm, Miller Buckley.

Parsons Close

Rugby, off Edison Drive

2014

SP 510762

Charles Algernon Parsons KCB, OM, FGS (1854-1931).

C A Parsons was an engineer and scientist.

Among his many inventions C A Parsons was particularly known for designing steam turbines and high-speed generators to produce power on both land and sea.

Patterdale

Brownsover, off Hollowell Way

1977

SP 516774

Patterdale Village, Cumbria.

Patterdale is a small village in the Patterdale valley, also known as the Ullswater valley. Its population in the 2011 Census was 501.

Patterdale is one of the roads in Brownsover that was named after a place or feature in the Lake District National Park.

Patterdale is the start point for a number of popular hill walks including the Striding Edge path up to Helvellyn.

Pear Tree Way

Bilton, off Lawford Lane

1994

SP 476744

The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus Pyrus

The pear is native to coastal and mildly temperate regions of the Old World, from Western Europe and North Africa east across Asia. It was introduced into the UK by the Romans. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching 10-17 m (33-56 ft) tall. It is widely cultivated for its edible fruit.

Pear Tree Way is one one of a group of roads in Bilton, off Bilton Lane, that have been named after trees that can be seen in the UK.

Peat Close

Bilton, off Bracken Drive

1983

SP 492741

Peat is plant material which is partially decomposed and has accumulated in waterlogged conditions.

Peatlands include moors, bogs, and fens, as well as some farmed land. Peat bogs are particular types of wetlands waterlogged by direct rainfall.

On the Woodlands estate Peat Close is one of a small group of roads that have been named after materials found on heathlands, moors and bogs in the UK.

Pembrey Road

Rugby, off Oulton Road

2009

SP 510769

Pembrey Circuit, neart Pembrey Village, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire

Pembrey Circuit is the home of Welsh motorsport, which hosts racing of motor cars, motor cycles, karts and trucks.

Pembtrey Road is one of the roads near to and off Projects Drive that are named after motor sport venues in the UK.

Pendred Road

New Bilton, off Addison Road

1921

SP 490750

John William Pendred (1871 - 1934)

He was clerk to the Rugby and Crick Rural District Councils (1895 - 1934)

He was also clerk to the Rugby Board of Guardians for 29 years.

Pennington Street

Rugby, off Plowman Street

c1835

SP 499751

This street is reputedly named after Mrs Rebecca Pennington.

 In 1748 she sold to Rugby School the Old Mansion House and adjoining land that became the site of the present School House.

The Old Mansion House had previously been purchased about 1720 by Mrs Pennington’s father, Henry Plowman of Northampton, from the Burnaby family who had been Lords of the Manor of Rugby from 1594 to 1720.

The Pennington family of Westfield House, Rugby, came to Rugby in 1858, much later than the naming of Pennington Street. No relationship between them and Mrs Rebecca Pennington has been established.

Percival Road

Hillmorton Paddox Estate, off Hillmorton Road

1924

SP 519743

Dr John Percival MA (1834 - 1918)

Dr Percival was a headmaster of Rugby School (1887 – 95), later becoming Bishop of Hereford (1895 – 1917). The road was named by the Rugby Freehold Land Society, its developer.

Matthew Bloxam’s former home was purchased for a memorial to Dr Percival with subscriptions from Old Rugbeians. It became The Percival Guildhouse, an Adult Education Centre.

Pettiver Crescent

Hillmorton, off Featherbed Lane

1954

SP 531740

James Pettiver, FRS, (c1663 – 1718)

An apothecary & celebrated naturalist and botanist. He was born in Hillmorton.

He was elected as a FRS in 1695.

He was a nephew of Richard Elborowe, junior. His collection of specimens was purchased by Sir Hans Sloane, PRS, (1660 – 1753), a collector of natural history objects and other curiosities which in 1759 became exhibits in the newly founded British Museum and later in the Natural History Museum.

Phipps Avenue

Hillmorton, Abbotts Farm Estate, off Bromwich Road

1956

SP 528541

Henry Thomas Purdie Phipps (1896 - 1953)

He was a member of Rugby Borough Council from 1943 to 1953. He was appointed as a Warwickshire JP in 1952

His occupation was an engineering estimator at the BTH.

He had been President of the Warwickshire County AAA in 1938 & President of the English Cross Country Union in 1948.

Pickwick Place

Rugby, off Expectations Drive

2015

SP 504764

"Samuel Pickwick" and the "Pickwick Club."

Samuel Pickwick was the founder and leader of the Pickwick Club. The Club featured in Charles Dickens' first novel The Pickwick Papers, which was first published as a monthly serial in 20 parts from March, 1836.

The streets in this area were given names associated with the works of Charles Dickens.

Pinders Lane

Rugby, Off Albert Street

pre 1837

SP 507756

The reason behind the naming of this ancient lane is obscure.

A pinder was an officer of a manor who was authorised to impound stray animals.

Pinder is a common surname throughout the parish records for Rugby and it is probable that the lane was named after one of these inhabitants.

There is no record of there ever having been an animal pound in this part of the town.

Pinders Lane features in the 1851 census returns. However it is said that the original name of the upper part was East Leyes.

Pinders Lane was reduced to its present length during the redevelopment of the James Street/ Railway Terrace area in the 1980s. Formerly the upper part continued through that area from Albert Street to Castle Street. (see also Charles Warren Close).

Pinetree Way

Houlton, off Houlton Way

2019

SP 556736

The 'Pinetree' aerial.

'Pinetree' was one of the many types of aerial used on the Rugby Radio Station.

The residential development of the former Rugby Radio Station has been given the name of Houlton and its streets named after people, events and equipment associated with it and further development of radio.

Pinfold Street

New Bilton, off Lawford Road

c1881

SP 493754

Jonathan Dumbleton Pinfold (1825 - 1910)

Pinfold built the street on his land to provide cottages for his brickmaking employees.

He had a business as an engineer and millwright in Pinders Lane and later in Plowman Street. He also became a brickmaker in New Bilton and a trustee of the Rugby Freehold Land Society (1871 - 89).

Pipewell Close

Bilton, off Montgomery Drive

1948

SP 483741

Pipewell was a Cistercian abbey in Northamptonshire near Corby.

Among the Abbey’s possessions were several granges in and around Dunchurch, including one on land where Rugby School Close is situated, The most important of these granges was Cawston.

In common with most other monasteries, Pipewell was suppressed by King Henry VIII in 1538 and its properties passed into secular ownership.

The old English meaning of Pipewell is a ’spring or stream with a pipe or conduit’.

Pipit Walk

Brownsover, off Coton Park Drive

2003

SP 514783

Pipits are members of the family Motacillidae.

There are four species of pipit resident in Britain, including the Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis, and the Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis.

The roads off Coton Park Drive, Brownsover, have been named after British birds.

Plantagenet Drive

Bilton, Woodlands Estate, off Cymbeline Way

1966

SP 490727

Richard Plantagenet, 3rd .Duke of York (1411-60).

Richard Plantagenet is also a character in the historical plays entitled Henry VI Parts 1, 2 and 3 that were written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616).

When the Woodlands Estate was laid out in 1964 the Council selected road names "having regard to the quarter centenary of Shakespeare's birth" in 1564.

Planter Close

Cawston, off Turchill Road

2004

SP 472736

John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu KG GMB PC (1690-1749)

John Montagu purchased the Cawston estate about 1744 and was known as ‘John the Planter’ because of the avenues of trees he planted at or near his various properties. He was responsible for the avenue of trees alongside the Dunchurch to Coventry road.

A portrait of John Montagu by Godfrey Kneller in 1709 is in the National Portrait Gallery.

Plomer Close

Bilton, off Nelson Way

1948

SP 482738

John Plomer MA (1688 - 1759)

Headmaster, Rugby School (1731 - 42)

Also Rector of Bilton (1731 - 59)

Plowman Street

Rugby, off Lawford Road

Prior to 1848

SP 499751

Henry Plowman of Northampton (died 1722), gent.

In 1720 he purchased from the Burnaby family their former manorial estate of Rugby. The manorial rights were sold separately to William Boughton (1682 - 1720) of Bilton.

In 1749 his daughter, Mrs Rebecca Pennington, sold the former manor house to Rugby School (see Pennington Street). In 1853 the first purpose built police station in Rugby was erected in Plowman Street.

Until the 1990s Plowman Street included a short terrace of houses that is listed in the Rugby Almanacks as Cherry Terrace.

Pope Street

New Bilton, off Addison Road

1935

SP 490752

Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744)

He was an English poet, satirist and translator of Homer.

In 1994 a memorial to Pope was erected in the Poets Corner of Westminster Abbey.

The Council felt that the road should be given a name associated with Addison's contemporaries because it was near to Addison Road.

Poplar Grove

Rugby, off Lancaster Road

c1915

SP 508758

 Two species of the genus Populus, the White Poplar Populus alba, and the Gray Poplar, Populus cenescens, are common in the UK.

Populus is a genus of deciduouse, broad-leaved flowering trees native to the UK and most of Europe. The genus also contains the Aspen (see Aspen Road).

See also Acacia, Maple & Sycamore Groves.

It is said that Poplar Grove was so named because the pavement was originally lined wiith Poplar trees.

Poppy Drive

Brownsover, off Larkspur

1992

SP 520788

The poppy is any of the flowering plants of the poppy family (Papaveraceae), especially those of the genus Papaver. Most poppies are found in the Northern Hemisphere.

Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colourful flowers. One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, is the souce of the narcotic drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug. It also produces edible seeds.

Poppy Drive is one of a group of roads in an area adjoining the north of Newton Manor Lane, centered around Campion Way, that are named after wild plants and flowers that can be seen in the British Isles. The poppy of wartime remembrance is Papaver rhoes, the red-flowered corn poppy. This poppy is a common plant of disturbed ground in Europe and is found in many locations, including Flanders.

Preston Close

Houlton, off Southwell Drive

2023

SP 550734

Minster and Parish Church of St John the Evangelist at Preston, Lancashire.

St John's stands on an ancient Christian site, originall dedicated to Saint Wilfred with the earliest documentary reference being in 1094. In 1581 it was re-dedicated t St John the Baptist, and in 1770 was re-dedicated again to St John the Evangelist. As part of the celebrations in 2003 for Preston being granted City status by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Golden Jubilee festivities, the church received Minster status.

Preston Close is one of a group of roads in the south of Houlton that were named after monasteries or minsters of the English Church, that were founded mainly when the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity in the seventh and eighth centuries.

Primrose Close

Brownsover, off Campion Way

1994

SP 521777

Primrose, Primula vulgaris

The primrose is a small, perennial, woodland plant. Its flowers are typically pale yellow. They are native to western and southern Europe.

Primrose Close is one of a group of roads in an area adjoining the north of Newton Manor Lane, centered around Campion Way, that are namedafter wild plants and flowers that can be seen in the British Isles.

Projects Drive

Rugby, off Boughton Road

2010

SP 511767

GEC Electrical Projects Ltd

GEC Electrical Projects Ltd was one of the tenants on this site, prior to the site being re-developed by its owners

The business of this company included the supply of "drives," eg electrical motors and their control equipment.

Pytchley Road

Rugby, off Cromwell Road

1934

SP 510743

The Pytchley Hunt

Pytchley Hunt was founded in 1750 and today covers an area of western and central Northamptonshire.

Its kennels were formerly in Pytchley, but today are near Brixworth.

Queensferry Close

Bilton, off Nelson Way

1953

SP 483539

Queensferry, Flintshire, North Wales.

Willans and Robinson, which was one of the businesses that amalgamated in 1918 to form the English Electric Co., had a manufacturing plant at Queensferry from 1899 to 1910. The turbine hall, built between 1901 and 1906, was designed by H B Creswell, and was described by Sir Nicholas Pevsner (1902-83) as 'a rare English precursor of Functionalism'. (see also Creswell Place)

The flats in Queensferry Close were built to provide accommodation for English Electric employees.

Queen Victoria Street

Rugby, off Lower Hillmorton Road

1880

SP 510750

Alexandrina Victoria (1819-1901)

She became Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1837-1901)

In 1880 this street was originally named Victoria Street. When Rugby became a municipal borough in 1932, this resulted in there being two Victoria Streets in the borough. This street was renamed c1935 as Queen Victoria Street, to distinguish it from its more extensive namesake in New Bilton.

Railway Terrace

Rugby, off Church Street

1841

SP 508751

London & Birmingham Railway and the Midland Counties Railway.

This street was built by the Midland Counties Railway to provide access from the town to the second of the railway stations.

The Rugby UDC decided in November 1910 that new name plates be fixed at convenient positions in the road in an attempt to dispense with its unofficial name of Station Road that was in frequent use at the time.

In its early years it was notorious for the bad image of the town that it presented to railway visitors due to its poor, muddy condition.

Rainsbrook Avenue

Hillmorton Paddox, off Hillmorton Road

1922

SP 528737

Rains Brook

Rains Brook runs through a valley to the south of Rugby and is a tributary of the River Leam.

For part of its length, Rains Brook forms the southern boundary of the Borough.

Rankine Close

Newbold, off Main Street

1974

SP 490772

Arthur Robert Rankine (1930 - 64)

The Rev. Arthur Robert Rankine was vicar of Newbold with Long Lawford (1959 - 64)

Mr Rankine collapsed and died during a tug-of-war at a Council of Churches party. He had previously been a curate at Bilton.

Rathbone Close

Hillmorton, off Deerings Road

1958

SP 531736

Thomas Rathbone (1815-94)

Thomas Rathbone, who resided in Hillmorton from 1840 until his decease, was a prominent builder in Rugby and the adjoining parishes.

Mr Rathbone took avery active part in various offices in the Hillmorton parish, including churchwarden, guardian and a member of the School Board.

Ravenglass

Brownsover, off Kirkstone

1980

SP 519772

Ravenglass, Cumbria

Ravenglass is a small coastal town located at a natural harbour formed by the estuary of the rivers Esk, Mite and Irt. The town dates back at least to the Romans who had an important naval base there.

Ravenglass is one of the roads in Brownsover that was named after a place or feature in the Lake District National Park.

Ravenglass is the only coastal town in the Park and is the western terminus of the narrow gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. The railway runs up the Eskdale valley for 7 miles, to its eastern terminus at Dalegarth Station near Boot.

Red Poll Road

Rugby, off Murray Road

 N/A

SP 511757

Red Poll cattle

The Red Poll is a dual purpose breed of cattle that was developed in the latter half of the 19th century as a cross between the Norfolk Red beef and the Suffolk Dun dairy breeds.

Red Poll Road was built on the site of the former Rugby cattle market, that closed in 2008, where presumably the Red Poll was one of the cattle breeds that were sold there. Both of the original breeds are now extinct.

Redwood Road

Brownsover, off Juniper Way

2018

SP 508779

Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens

The redwood is a giant coniferous tree of coastal regions of California. The largest speciman is over 120 metres tall.

The roads in the area of Brownsover off Lower Lodge Avenue to the west of of Leicester Road, have been named after trees that can be seen in Britain. Redwood trees can be seen in ornamental gardens and arboretums including examples in Rugby in the Clifton Road Cemetery and in the grounds of St Cross Hospital.

Regent Place

Rugby Town Centre, off Regent Street

1905

SP 504753

Part of the Regent Street development

Initially the western and northern sides of the undeveloped triangle of land on this site were named as St Andrews Street and Moat Street respectively.

In 1925 Moat Street was renamed as Regent Place.

Regent Street

Rugby Town Centre, off Church Street

1905

SP 504752

Regent Street, the famous shopping street in London.

When the Rugby Freehold Land Society developed the Moat Estate, their intention was that Regent Street was to become Rugby's main shopping street.

The developers’ intentions have largely been unfulfilled, but this has meant that Regent Street remains remarkably unspoilt and retains many of its Edwardian features, especially the upper floors.

The western side of the undeveloped triangle of land was formerly named as St Andrews Street, but was given its current name in 1925.

Reynolds Close

Lower Hillmorton, off Constable Road

1966

SP 537740

Sir Joshua Reynolds RA, FRS, FRSA,  (1723 - 92)

English Artist.

Famous for his portraits. He was the 1st President of the Royal Academy (1768 – 92).

Richard Hodgkinson Close

Cawston, off Elborow Way

2018

SP 476721

Richard Hodgkinson (d 1726)

The names of the roads adjoining Elborow Way, Cawston, are all associated with the former Elborow Charity School, the 'second oldest school in Rugby.'

Richard Walker Way

Cawston, off Elborow Way

2018

SP 474732

Richard Walker (1845-1920)

The names of the roads adjoining Elborow Way, Cawston, are all associated with the former Elborow Charity School, the 'second oldest school in Rugby'.

Richmond Road

Rugby, off Slade Road

1932

SP 514547

Joseph Richmond MA (1720 - 1816)

Headmaster, Rugby School (1751 - 55)

He made no entries in the School Register, so there are no records by which to judge his time as headmaster.

Ripon Way

Houlton, off Station Avenue

2023

SP 550735

The Catedral Church of St Peter and Wilfrid, commonly known as Ripon Cathedral.

Founded as a monastery by St Wilfrid in 672. The church became collegiate in the tenth century, and acted as a mother church within the large Diocese of York for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The present church id the fourth, and was built between the 13th and 16th centuries.

Ripon Way is one of a group of roads in the south of Houlton that were named after monasteries or minsters of the English church, that were founded mainly during the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons in the seventh and eighth centuries.

Robotham Close

Newbold on Avon, off Cotterell Road

 1985

SP 498767

William Arthur Robotham (1902-77)

W A Robotham had been a member of the Rugby Borough Council (1936-70), including being the Mayor (1952-53). He was a JP from 1949 to 1972.

Mr Robotham was a draughtsman in the BTH Control Gear Engineering Department. Apart from his many political interests he also had an interest in the local brass bands. He was appointed an Honorary Freeman of the Borough in 1966.

Rodney Close

Bilton, Admirals Estate, off Frobisher Road

1961

SP 480743

George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney,  (1718 - 92)

Admiral, RN (1778 - 82)

He was active at sea for most of his service career (1732 - 82). During his career he made a large amount of prize money.

Roper Close

Hillmorton, off Wesley Road

Rosewood Avenue

Rugby, Rokeby Estate, off Anderson Avenue

1955

SP 502738

Stanley Rose Wood (b 1848)

He was the nephew of Richard Henry Wood. “Rose” was the maiden name of the latter’s mother.

Rokeby Estate was built on part of the former Rokeby Farm that had been owned by Richard Henry Wood. (see also Belmont Road).

Rotary Close

Houlton, off Houlton Way

2022

SP 555734

The Rotary Club of Rugby

This club was founded in 1922 as part of the International Rotary organisation.

The organisation provides the benefits of business networking to its members. It uses the time, talents and networking skills of its members to improve the lives of people in its locality.

Rothley Drive

Brownsover, Avon Park, off Staveley Way.

1995

SP 521771

Rothley, Leicestershire

Rothley is a village and civil parish within the Borough of Charnwood. It is about 5 miles north of the city of Leicester. It has been inhabited since Saxon times.

The population of the civil parish was 3,897 in the 2011 Census.It has a station on the heritage railway line, the Great Central Steam Railway.

Rounds Gardens

Rugby, off Oliver Street

1964

SP 500755

Stephen Round (d 1818)

The buildings in Rounds Gardens were erected on what had been allotment gardens. Stephen Round had owned this land in the early 19th century. The land had been acquired in 1928 by the local authority.

The 11-storey flats in Rounds Gardens were the first multi-storey flats to be erected in Rugby by the local authority and were described as "a milestone on the road to solving the problem of the slums of Britain."

However clearance of the Rounds Gardens site due to safety concerns was started in 2022 in readiness for a major social housing development.

Round Street

Rugby, off Lawford Road

1848

SP 498751

Stephen Round (d 1818)

The Round Street estate was built on land that he owned.

Stephen Round was a prominent Rugby landowner & an Attorney of HM Court of King’s Bench. He did not live in Rugby.

Rowan Drive

Bilton, off Hawthorn Way

1990

SP 477746

Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia

The rowans or mountain-ashes are shrubs or trees in the genus Sorbus. They are native throughout the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and are mostly small deciduous trees. Rowan grows in most parts of Britain, but is more common in the north and west.

Rowan Drive is one of a group of roads in Bilton, adjoining Bilton Lane, that have been named after trees that can be seen in the UK.

Rowse Close

Brownsover, off Stonehills

1972

SP 511770

Joseph Yates Rowse (1880-1955)

He had been headmaster of Eastlands Boys School (1907-46).

Rowse Close is one of a small group of roads In Brownsover that were named after former head teachers in the Borough.

Rupert Brooke Road

Rugby, off Shakespeare Gardens

1960

SP 493734

Rupert Chawner Brooke (1887 – 1915)

see also 'Biographies' section of this website.

Poet. He is particularly known for his five war sonnets written during WW1.

He is one of 16 WW1 poets who are named on a memorial slab that was unveiled on 11 November 1985 in Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey.

He was born in Hillmorton Road, Rugby and attended Rugby School. During WW1 he obtained a commission in the Royal Navy and died from blood poisoning whilst in a hospital ship moored off the Greek island of Skyros in the Aegean.

Ruskin Close

Rugby, Hillside, off Norton Leys

1973

SP 497729

John Ruskin (1819 – 1900)

He was an influential art and social critic whose ideas had an important role in the shaping of the cultural values of the nineteenth century.

A memorial to Ruskin is in the Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey.

Brantwood, his country home overlooking Coniston Water, is now a museum dedicated to Ruskin.

Russelsheim Way

Rugby town centre gyratory road system

1981

SP 500749

Russelsheim, Germany

This road marks the twinning in 1977 by Rugby Borough with Russelsheim in Germany

Russelsheim is noted for manufacturing Opel cars, now part of General Motors.

Rydal Close

Brownsover, off Lloyd Road

1972

SP 515768

Rydal Water, Cumbria

Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes (¾ mile long and ¼ mile wide) in the Lake District. The small village of Rydal is near to the lake and is spread along the main road between Grasmere and Ambleside.

Rydal Close is one of the roads in Brownsover that was named after a place or feature in the Lake District National Park.

Rydal Water is a popular spot for visitors, bcause the area has many connections with Wordsworth (1770-1850) who lived for much of his life at Rydal Mount. Dr Thomas Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School, had a summer home at Fox Howe in nearby Under Loughrigg and Dr Arnold's son Matthew was a frequent visitor.