Listen to this articleTitle: Two Mile Ash: A District Steeped in History and Innovation
Two Mile Ash, a district situated in north-west Milton Keynes, is not only one of the larger districts but also a place steeped in history and innovation. Named after the Two Mile Ash toll gate on Watling Street, this district has a lot to offer.
One of the notable features of Two Mile Ash is the Abbey Hill, an 18-hole golf course covering a large portion of the area. Many streets in this district are also named after famous golf courses, giving the place a unique character.
History buffs will appreciate the fact that a Romano-British farmstead was discovered and excavated on the northern edge of the golf course. The find dates back to a time before this land was known as Two Mile Ash. As a matter of fact, on a map dated 1559, the area was referred to as Mile Ash, named after a tree on a mound with Watling Street cutting through it.
During the early 17th century, the section of Watling Street between Hockliffe and Dunchurch became a turnpike. It was also at this time that a toll gate was established, the “Twomile Ash Toll Gate,” from which Milton Keynes Development Corporation took the district name. To this day, you can still find a milestone on Watling Street, just behind the two mile post.
In the mid-80s, Two Mile Ash was chosen to trial an energy savings project. This project involved the addition of two to three times the amount of insulation required by building regulations. The project consisted of 12 prefabricated timber houses made by Finlandia Construction in Finland. These houses did not have large south-facing windows as is typical in most homes but had a few small windows in the north-facing walls instead.
Builders also injected insulation foam 100 millimetres thick under the concrete floor slab. The wall cavities contained 190 millimetres of glass-fibre insulation, the loft covered by a 300 millimetres layer of insulation, and the windows triple-glazed. This project was a significant success and paved the way for more innovations in energy-efficient building techniques.
In conclusion, Two Mile Ash may be a lesser-known district, but it is a place that offers something unique and innovative. From its golf course-filled streets to its energy savings projects, this district is worth exploring for those who love history and sustainability.
