Polruan Terrace

Built in the 1890s, making it contemporary with Victoria Park which it overlooks; Polruan Terrace would seem to be an appropriate name for a development overlooking a tidal creek.

Prior to 1890 that is precisely what Victoria Park, from Millbridge to Pennycomequick, was - a tidal salt water inlet that was also fed by streams coming down from Mutley and the Torr Estate.

There are various theories about the name Polruan. One simply suggests that it is a pool in or off a river; another that it is the cove of Ruan.

Ruan, in this instance, supposedly being the obscure Celtic saint Rumon, believed to have been around in the 6th century and patron of Romansleigh (Devon), Ruan Lanihorne and Ruan Major and Minor (all in Cornwall).

Whatever the story, there is no suggestion that Polruan Terrace was named because of its location.

It would just seem to be one of many Plymouth streets to be named after a Cornish village.