Bedford
Tavistock Street

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It was known as Offal Lane during the medieval period i.e. the place where the butchers of the town disposed of their less attractive by-products. When that end of the town became the site of fashionable expansion in the early 19th century the name was changed to Offa Street for a short period.

The name was changed to Tavistock Street in 1835 as a compliment to the Marquis of Tavistock the courtesy title of the heir of the Duke of Bedford.

Sources

• The Newspaper Cuttings Collection, Local Studies Library, Bedford Central Library
• FREEMAN, Ian  From Saxons to Speed : a new history of Old Bedford.  2006.

Page last updated: 22nd January 2014