The Woodcroft Estate - which from its name would appear to be the 'obvious' site of Woodcroft Park - was first offered for sale by "the trustees of the late Charles Tayleur Esq.  … [particulars from] P. Serjeantson" in June 1855. A newspaper advertisement (above) described it as "containing about 50 acres … on the north-east side of Smithdown Lane, and running along Wavertree-lane, with which latter it communicates by a new street, lately made, the whole length of the property. … It is proposed to sell the Estate in lots ...". The 'new street' was, presumably, Bagot Street, which connected with Wavertree Lane (now Picton Road) via Bishopgate Street. On the Wavertree Tithe Map of 1846 the land for Bishopgate Street was shown as plots 1042 and 1043, described as 'Intended Street' owned by 'Serjeantson & others'. The rope works was at that time to the east of the (proposed) street, but - apparently after a disastrous fire in 1861 - it later moved to the west side of the street. It would seem that not all of the Woodcroft Estate was sold in the 1850s, because the 1891/2 lease to the Caledonians was still in the name of Serjeantson, Tayleur, etc. And on 24 Feb 1891 an advertisement (below) had appeared in the local press: "WOODCROFT ESTATE - Freehold Building Land to be Sold, in lots to suit purchasers, situate in Smithdown-road, Bagot-street, Lawrence-road, Wellington-road, &c, suitable for a superior class of cottages."

Continued . . .