The Shape of Belton

We have no maps of Belton from its earliest times but we can look for clues as to how it grew. The Enclosure Map of Belton of 1814 shows a scattered village with the greatest concentration of buildings clustered around the Green. This indicates that in early Belton farms and cottages were clustered around a large central green on which the inhabitants had grazing rights.

Today's Green is but a remnant of what was there originally and has been encroached upon over the centuries. There are still some of the oldest buildings in Belton to be seen here. In particular is the fine 17th century barn of Beech Farm. Opposite, somewhat altered are a group of cottages, probably from the 18th century. The Green is some way off from the church which sits on a commanding position above it. Church Lane links the two and once continued on towards Bradwell. The latter section of the road was diverted by the Enclosure Award. At the north end of Church Lane was another group of farms and dwellings. Was this an off-shoot from the Green?

West of the Green is Station Road South. Its old name was Lockless Lane. It is hard to say exactly what 'lockless' or 'locklees' means. 'Lock' can be interpreted as 'enclosed' and 'lee' as a clearing, glade or meadow. Perhaps it was a lane leading to a piece of cleared land away from the main settlement.

St John's Road links the bottom of Church Lane with the marshes and river. The name may be connected to Leighs Priory, which was dedicated to St John the Evangelist and owned Gapton Hall manor. Earlier a smaller manor of Caxton Hall existed in the area before being absorbed by Gapton Hall. Caxton Hall was owned by the Prior and Knights of St John of Jerusalem, another possible link with St John. The route itself may predate these institutions by centuries, though.

Station Road North doesn’t appear until around the time of the Enclosure. It is not on Faden's map of 1797. This road skirts the Common and seems to be the last road to link up to the others and give Belton its square shape.

Another early route is from Belton Green to Fritton The southerly route has been diverted along Station Road South and down Sandy Lane whereas it once took a more direct route. Stepshort (or Step Short) was originally the stepping-stone crossing over the dyke that separated Burgh Castle from Belton, rather than an actual road. This road pattern indicates Belton may have started to the east of the estuary, on relatively high ground and pushed west to open up fields and access to the marshes. It is likely access to the river was established at an early date.

The underlying road pattern of Belton, which was established 1,000 years ago, has influenced the development of the village down to the present day.