Neighbourhood Studies
Oram's Arbour and St James's Lane
7 Important viewpoints and spaces
a The new development on the high ground of the former St. Paul's Hospital site (Alison Way) makes a good backcloth above Fulflood when viewed from the Stockbridge Road. In winter this appears as a silhouette of gables seen through a tracery of winter trees.
Looking up Step Terrace
b Looking up Step Terrace, the prison ventilation tower is on the street axis. This is also the case where St James's Lane turns north towards the prison entrance. In the event of the prison being re-sited, extensively modernized or re-developed, the ventilation tower should be retained as a valuable local feature and as a landmark to be seen from St Catherine's Hill and other places. The main front of the prison should also be kept as a fine façade. Looking down Step Terrace presents a restricted view of the hills to the east, which is not impinged upon by summer trees.
c Looking down Romsey Road, the clock-tower of Queen Elizabeth II Court is centrally placed. The trees to the left of this view give relief to the bleak overshadowing nature of the buildings and wall on the south side.
d The higher western edge of Oram's Arbour, along Clifton Road, has a panoramic view of the green slopes on the east side of Winchester including St Giles's and St Catherine's Hills. Queen Elizabeth II Court, with its delicate copper pinnacled clock-tower, can be seen in the foreground. The northern end of this view is interrupted by some trees and by the former St Paul's Hospital, now converted to residential use. Summer trees restrict this view considerably.
Looking down Mews Lane
from St George's
e From the top end of Mews Lane there are attractive cottages in the foreground, with Peninsula Barracks, the Cathedral tower and St Giles's Hill following in succession. Summer trees restrict this view.
f In Crowder Terrace there is a eucalyptus tree on the St James's Terrace side. Although only visible within the street, this tree is an important feature when viewed from north or south. It is well placed when viewed from the west down a side path.
Crowder Terrace
g The Clifton Road and Clifton Hill junction is a particularly attractive space with fine views out. To the west is a pleasing individual house in wood and render which is nicely framed by the trees. St Catherine's Hill is also to be seen, though this view is restricted by summer trees. The 5-storey 'witch's hat' semi-detached houses at the junction of Clifton Road and Clifton Hill add to the interest of the space.
There is a changing view when walking down St James's Lane from Sparkford Road. This gives a nice contrast between the cottage loaf of St Catherine's Hill and the spire of Christ Church. Similar views are possible from inside the cemetery for most of the year.