Cattedown
{{Short description|Suburb of Plymouth, Devon}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2021}}
Image:Cattedown - geograph.org.uk - 293048.jpg
Image:Cattedown from Mount Batten - geograph.org.uk - 1169232.jpg]]
Cattedown is an inner city suburb of Plymouth, Devon. Its position beside the River Plym estuary just short of the mouth led to its early settlement.
History
Catherine of Aragon - the first wife of Henry VIII - travelled from Loredo in Spain to a harbour in Plymouth, England to be married. She arrived in Plymouth on 2 October 1501 where, 'she could not have been received with greater rejoicings'. The area that she disembarked or 'set down' was named in her honour as Cattedown. {{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}
In 1886, two archaeologists discovered human bones while mining in a quarry.
They included the remains of many strange creatures – hyenas, bison, woolly rhinoceros and cave lions. Among the partial skeletons of 15 early humans was the famous ‘Cattedown Man’ – believed to be the city's earliest known inhabitant and dating back 140,000 years. Archaeologists say he could potentially be the oldest human found in Britain. -{{cite web| url = https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/history/gallery/cattedowns-unknown-history-16-fascinating-4801519| title = Cattedown's unknown history in 16 fascinating pictures - Plymouth Live}}
Today, the caves – listed as a national monument by Historic England – remain fenced off and kept out of sight. Plans to turn the area into a tourist and visitor attraction have not yet progressed; more than a decade after they were first mooted.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}
Notable buildings
The church of St Mary the Virgin and St Mary Magdalene was built in 1911–12 to serve Cattedown. It closed in 1956 and was demolished in 2007–08.{{cite web |url=https://www.oldplymouth.uk/Saint%20Mary%20the%20Virgin%20and%20Saint%20Mary%20Magdalene%20(Anglican%20Church%20of).htm |title=Anglican Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Mary Magdalene |publisher=Old Plymouth, UK |date=1 August 2017 |access-date=5 June 2025}}
References
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File:Cattewater industrial dock area.jpg
Category:Suburbs of Plymouth, Devon
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