Well Street, Upper Well Street and Hill Cross

Those are the best pictures I've seen of those buildings on Well Street from Dean via Neil MR well matched and richly coloured photo. I'd never noticed the clock before.

I knew it was not a widely seen image Helen.

A favourite photo for me, where Well Street met Upper Well Street and Bond Street. The wall and gate would have been in this area. The damage was from demolition, not bombing, as these were already replaced by taller brick buildings by the war.

It’s a great shot, isn't it, Helen. So would the photographer be standing in what was then Fretton Street?

It was pre Fretton Street but not far from where it was built. See map below and make a guess. The roads being much wider and straighter throws locating things out the window. Library of Scotland side by side

Thanks Helen. I hadn't realised the age of Fretton Street. It looks like that was only 'created' when Corporation Street went in and the associated clearances.

I thought I'd put these two images together to show that the unknown image that Neil posted is Well Street. The image on the left (along with others I have) is labelled as Well Street. I've circled some of the matching features. The image on the left is looking roughly south east and the one on the right is looking south west.

100% sorted - wonderful!!

I was wondering if Neil's photo might be a scene before one of the Sunday School parades? Chapel Street isn't far behind the camera.

Don't think we've seen this one of Well Street before. © Coventry Digital. Are we looking west towards the Bond Street/Upper Well Street junction, Helen?

Yes, it's looking west. I assume that's the corner of the Chapel Street on the right.

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum, so please excuse me if I am asking questions that may not be relevant here! My parents, Norman and Agnes Jackson opened up a shop in the early 1950's in "Hill Cross" which sold faggots and peas. I wonder if anyone remembers it, or them? Also my dad's parents Frank and Lizzie Jackson were licensees of the Gas Tavern in Hill street from 1911 to 1940. Does anyone remember either of them or maybe heard of them? Looking forward to any answers! Regards, Robert Jackson

You can view the area at Britain From Above. Get a login to be able to zoom in. Bottom left hand corner, to the left of the white warehouse. The camera was looking south east. To give you an idea of the area.

Wow, that's amazing Helen, to actually see his name and address! I have created an account in Britain from Above. How do I find Hill Cross? Regards

Hi Robert. All the resources - maps, aerial photos, etc, require you to 'get your eye in'. Very rarely the place that you're looking for has a tag but usually you have to work out what you're looking at and roughly where it might be on the map/photo. Start with a map and find where the major land marks are. Then there are two ways to view aerial photos - the first is to type Coventry in BFA and step through the photos till you spot a likely camera direction. I've linked to one but there may be more though unfortunately the photos aren't a comprehensive survey of the city so there may be no better view. The post war photos can be better because so few buildings remained, it's easier to pick things out. The other way is to use Aerial Photograph Explorer here but it's still a matter of knowing where to look. There are many more photos but the zoom isn't as good. The map below is of 1905 from Coventry Digital, which is a great site with maps and photos but as with the aerial shots, it's an art form to find what you want - even assuming they've got it. I've found stuff I was looking for in the background of a photo featuring something else.