The Rushes

The Rushes is an ‘L’ shaped road linking Malt Street and Moor Lane. It is one of the oldest streets in Gotham appearing on early maps of the village. The name derives from the reed beds and rushes that bordered the low lying areas of Gotham Moor before proper drainage was introduced.

Records for 1851 refer to a Mr. Barker purchasing rushes from the Earl Howe estate. There was also a company of basket makers called Barker at that time in Nottingham. Rushes were commonly used to strew over floors, to make rush lights and mixed together with gypsum make floors and ceilings. In the census of 1891 nine families were living on The Rushes most of whom were old Gotham family names.

On The Rushes is Paradise Farm and is of considerable age. Parts of the present farmhouse, which incorporates a dovecote, are considered to be 16-17th century.

Currently, property on The Rushes comprises ten modern houses and bungalows, two Victorian cottages and a barn conversion.