WoT Heritage Trail - The Westbury-on

WESTBURY-ON-TRYM
HERITAGE TRAIL
WELCOME TO WESTBURY-ON-TRYM!
Westbury-on-Trym is located in North West Bristol,
England, near the suburbs of Stoke Bishop, Henleaze,
Westbury Park, Southmead and Henbury.
The Heritage Trail guides walkers through some of the
Conservation Area plus other fascinating, often hidden,
places that this unique ‘Village within the City’ has to
offer. The area is a particularly beautiful, interesting and
historic place and is partly named after the River Trym
that flows through its centre.
From 1904 Westbury-on-Trym came under Bristol.
It has a lively community with a population of around
10,000, but it is still referred to as ‘The Village’ by many
locals. It has a friendly atmosphere and is home to many
interesting shops and businesses.
TRAIL - OVERVIEW
Walkers will not be led on the Trail by the leaflet
designer or any of the other members of the Heritage
Trail Steering Group. See numbered route on map.
(Length/Distance 3,000m/1.9 miles approx.)
The trail takes approximately 1.5hrs – 2 hrs to walk.
NB Public Conveniences: High Street and Canford Park.
Other toilets can be found in refreshment places enroute; some of these also offer baby-changing facilities.
We have tried to include a wide variety of places to see
on the Trail but sadly we have run out of space to include
as many as we would have liked!
Active consideration to the safety of the route has
been taken into account - see Health & Safety box.
HAVE A GREAT WALK – THERE’S LOTS TO SEE!
HISTORY
The origins of Westbury-on-Trym predate those of
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Bristol. At the end of the 8 century, King Offa of Mercia
granted land at Westbury to his minister.
There are two Grade I listed buildings which
dominate the village that are of exceptional national,
architecture and historic importance:
Holy Trinity Church, together with the nearby former
College of Deans was home to a collegiate community
under the Bishop of Worcester until 1544.
Both are included in the walk.
There is a high density of Grade II listed buildings
particularly around Church and Trym Roads.
This area was the original centre of the village.
1 - HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, CHURCH ROAD
Founded 717 AD.
Externally the
polygonal apse is
the most elaborately
decorated part of the
15th century
rebuilding. Stained
glass windows tell
many interesting
stories. Some 25
metres up the church path from the South porch is the
gravestone of Richard Ruddle killed on the Downs in
1743. His gravestone, on the second row back from the
path, is under a pair of holly trees. He is reputed to be
the last person killed by highwaymen.
The Church is open everyday during daylight hours.
www.westbury-parish-church.org.uk
2 - ELSIE BRIGGS HOUSE, 38/39 CHURCH ROAD
Elsie Briggs’ house is
reputed to be one of
the oldest lived-in
buildings in Bristol. Dr
Elsie Briggs of the
University of Bristol
uncovered many of its
15th century features.
She lived there from
1958 to 1988. On her death the house was bequeathed
to the Diocese of Bristol. For visits contact the Warden
www.elsiebriggshouse.org.uk
Progress right along Trym Road will lead the
walker to Dial House:
3 - DIAL HOUSE, CHANNELLS HILL
Former Toll
House. What
time does
the clock
say? The
lady had a
dial painted
on the house
set to the
time her
boyfriend
jilted her to humiliate him and to remind the village of his
ungentlemanly behaviour. Walk a little further up to 12
Channells Hill to look over the gate. To the left, can be
glimpsed a WATER TOWER shown on 1880s OS map
in the former grounds of Holmwood House This
ensured that Stanley Badock, who lived there
from the early 1900s, had plenty of water for his
beautifully landscaped gardens and water feature.
4 - TRYM ROAD and RIVER TRYM AREA
Return from Dial House
and turn left to cross
PACKHORSE
BRIDGE over the River
Trym. Some of river’s
boundary walls can be
clearly seen.
Many of the nearby
historic, attractive
cottages and houses are listed. Follow the path to a tiny
public garden known as PACKHORSE GARDEN - a
pleasant place to stop during the walk.
Turn left into:
5 - CHOCK LANE (Previously CHALK LANE)
Beware of oncoming traffic
from left when leaving the
garden into Chock Lane. No
pavement in places.
Take elevated pavement and
carefully cross the road to
view the two Post-Medieval
limekilns near the top.
These would have been working during the 1800s when
there was a building boom in the area.
Currently utilised for storage.
Turn right into Eastfield Road:
6 & 7 - EASTFIELD ROAD
6 - VICTORIAN SCHOOL - The building can be best
seen without crossing the road - on the corner of
Albert Place. Opened as a school in 1840. Since then
the building has been home to many organisations.
At present it is part of the Henleaze and Westbury-onTrym Community Church.
7 - THE VILLAGE HALL
dates from 1869. It was
financed by local benefactor
Henry St Vincent Ames to
be used for the promotion of
recreation, social and moral
improvement etc.
www.wotvillagehall.org
Now carefully cross the road to continue along the
narrow part of:
8 - EASTFIELD ROAD - VARIOUS HOUSES
Immediately on left: Nos 51 and 53, c1835, were built
on the site of the last of the Village’s Poor Houses –
partly over its old huge cellars.
No 12 – the old Vicarage. Vacated in the 1950s.
No 4 – A former infant school was built in 1828 as the
plaque shows above the Jailhouse in Westbury Hill,
9 - 10 WESTBURY HILL
Take care down the steps (which lead directly onto
the roadway) and before crossing Westbury Hill to:
9 - THE POST OFFICE TAVERN, resplendent in red brick
stands at the top of Westbury Hill. In 1901 Thomas Taffe ran
it and, in the 1920s, it was a farmer called Taffe whose
sheep were one of the last flocks to be grazed on Durdham
Down. There is some indication that Charles Dickens may
have visited. Although not mentioned by name there seems
to be a clear indication in Pickwick Papers that Charles
Dickens had been in the area on one of his visits to Bristol.
About 50 metres down the hill to:
10 - OLD JAILHOUSE No need to
cross the road to view. The old
lockup built into the wall on Westbury
Hill. Old oak door with iron grill set in it
– see photo. Inside iron rings are inset
above the stone benches which
surround the walls. Locked and used for storage by Council.
Return back up to Westbury Road and turn right:
11 - 2 SOUTHFIELD ROAD – SOUTHFIELD HOUSE
Southfield Penitentiary for Females (On right, half
way down) was opened here in 1899 and remained as
such until 1924, latterly as a Training home. “Afforded
Asylum to those unhappy females who have been
seduced from the path of Virtue.” Now housing various
businesses. Retrace steps back up to Westbury Road
turning right and crossing carefully when near:
12 - RED MAIDS’ SCHOOL, 145 WESTBURY ROAD
Walkers are
asked to view
Red Maids’
from the
Westbury Road
pavement and
not to enter the
school site.
Drive entrance
between 145
and 147. Dating from the late 1700s, BURFIELD
HOUSE, the school’s main building, can be glimpsed to
the left of the drive. Red Maids’, the oldest surviving
school for girls in England, was established in 1634.
The school moved from Denmark Street in Central Bristol
in 1911.During WW1, in July 1916, the Red Cross were
granted use of the building as a hospital – see photo.
Continue along this side of the road to:
13 - 124 WESTBURY ROAD
BRISTOL TRAMWAYS DEPOT UNTIL 1950s. Grade II
listed. Purpose-built by WH Watkins, Bristol architect
1909-1910. It never actually housed trams! There is a
common urban myth that trams were actually garaged in
the building – difficult - as there were no tram lines into
the building!
It later became the premises of Welch motor car agents.
The building is currently occupied by a wine merchant
Use the zebra crossing to the other side of the road:
14 - FALCONDALE ROAD
Cross this busy road at the top junctions using the
crossings. This wide road was constructed as a bypass
to Westbury village in early 1930s. It is one of the main
arterial roads from the motorways to the Centre of
Bristol. Turn left into Stoke Lane and cross to the
opposite side:
15 - 120 and 122 STOKE LANE
It is thought that these
adjoining cottages were
originally built for soldiers
returning from the Napoleonic
wars. The date 1822 is clearly
marked on their frontage.
Accommodation then was on
condition they worked as farm labourers, tilling the fields.
Follow the map along this former farmland now
covered with housing. Turn right into Back Stoke
Lane, and then right on to the public footpath to
Cooper Road. Turn left along Cooper Road then left
along Abbey Road and right along the public
footpath into Canford Park.
16 - CANFORD PARK & MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN
10 acres of Canford Sewage Farm became Canford Park
which opened in 1909. The Queen Victoria Diamond
Jubilee fountain is now here in the Park having been
moved in 1920 and replaced by the War Memorial at
the roundabout. Be extra vigilant in the park,
particularly when near water or the play area.
(Canford Cemetery opened in 1903 and acquired the
Crematorium in 1957.) Turn right once through arched
gates from Park into Canford Lane and then right to:
17 - THE LIBRARY, FALCONDALE ROAD
The building dates
from the 1930s
when Falcondale
Road was built.
This popular library
is well-used by the
local community.
Its many helpful
services include:
reading groups for adults, children's activities and story
times, free computer usage etc.
Cross over on the crossing here to Canford Lane and
continue along on its right hand side pavement.
18 - CANFORD LANE
SITE OF FORMER CARLTON CINEMA
Carlton Court,
the shopping
precinct now
stands here.
(1959 photo)
The cinema was
open from 1933 1959. It seated
more than 800
and was well
attended.
Its original site
can be viewed
across the road between 11 and 19 Canford Lane.
Use the crossing before the roundabout and turn left
into the High Street:
19 - HIGH STREET, 3 RED TELEPHONE BOXES
Grade II listed.
Endangered species!
Located on the corner of
Westbury Court Road.
(Next to the Post Office)
20 - FORMER POLICE STATION, 49 HIGH STREET,
Look for the
sign and date
above the
window on the
first floor
saying
Westbury
Police Station
and the date
built – 1869.
It is older than most other stations in Bristol and is to the
left of the lamp post here on this 1913 photo. The station
closed in the 1950s and the building is now offices.
21 - HIGH STREET/HENBURY ROAD JUNCTION
Spot replica five-fingered signpost here!
No need to cross the road to view 22.
22 - PASSAGE ROAD - THE WHITE LION
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Early 18 century coaching inn. Bay window enabled
travellers to see their coach arrived.
Retrace your steps to the High Street roundabout:
23 - 25 HIGH STREET
Use the crossing at the roundabout to:
23 - MOGFORDS, 2 HIGH STREET see also Cover
The family started as builders and subsequently
ironmongers here in the 1850s.
Best viewed from the pavement outside Mogford’s as
there is no pedestrian crossing to the centre of the
roundabout.
24 - WAR MEMORIAL - see also Cover
(On the roundabout at the junctions for High Street,
Canford Lane, Stoke Lane and Westbury Hill.)
In 1920, the Queen Victoria Jubilee Fountain was
replaced by this War Memorial. These poignant words
are included: ‘When you go home tell them of us and say
for your tomorrow we gave our today.’
Continue back along this side of the High Street to:
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25 - WHITE HORSE 18 century coaching inn.
In 1873, when it was put up for auction, it boasted
extensive stabling for horses.
Turn right into College Road:
26 - THE COLLEGE OF DEANS, COLLEGE ROAD
Grade I listed building. In the 1290s the monastery
became a college with a dean and canons. Bishop
Carpenter rebuilt it in the mid 15th century, so it
resembled a miniature castle with its turrets and
gatehouse. William Canynges is perhaps the best known
Dean of the College. The building was restored in the
20th century by the Parochial Church Council. The
grounds were adapted to a
scheme for housing for the
elderly. The College
Gatehouse is now a
National Trust Property.
The key is held by the Vicar
/Parish Office - a.m. only.
WELL DONE a
You have now completed the trail!
Why not visit the shops, cafes, restaurants and other
amenities in the area now or on another day?
THE FARMS
WESTBURY COURT FARM was in existence in 1841
until sometime after 1916 when the buildings were
demolished in readiness for a new housing development
in 1936. Its site lies on north side of Westbury Court Rd
some 20 metres to the east of its junction to Fraley Road
CANFORD FARM – demolished to make way for
Canford Cemetery. Shown on 1840 Tithe Map.
FURTHER ACTIVITIES
1 - GRAVESTONES Many interesting ones in the
Churchyard.
2 - LINKS TO THE WEBSITES HIGHLIGHTED – have a
look at the various links shown on Trail.
3 - Do not forget the KNOW YOUR PLACE Interactive
map website!
www.maps.bristol.gov.uk/knowyourplace
4 - JOIN THE WESTBURY WALKERS!
Jean Maish Tel: 0117 330 1194
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
BRICKWORKS AND KILN – Sited here from 1880 until 1903.
The rectangular kiln was in the centre of the site. Replaced by
Grange Court and 36-46 Passage Road (built in 1916).
POTTERIES – production took place in 17th & 18th centuries.
Burfield/Sugar House Pottery produced sugar pots, chimneys
etc and existed on the present site of 137-143 Westbury Road.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE
Try these links:
BS9 MAGAZINE www.bcmagazines.co.uk
WESTBURY VILLAGE HALLwww.wotvillagehall.org
WESTBURY-ON-TRYM SOCIETY
www.westburyontrymsociety.org.uk
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many thanks to:
THE WESTBURY-ON-TRYM
BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
for sponsoring the Trail.
www.wotba.org.uk
NEIGHBOURHOOD
PARTNERSHIP (NP3)
Wellbeing Fund for providing
funding for this free leaflet.
www.activenp.co.uk
THE WESTBURY-ON-TRYM HERITAGE TRAIL
STEERING GROUP
(Five members) for their ideas, input and supportive
suggestions that have been included as well as others
obtained from the local community.
PAUL TOWNSEND, aka Brizzle Born and Bred, for
providing the black and white photos.
www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred
PHILIPPA CRABBE, aka Crabchick, for providing most
of the coloured photos.
www.flickr.com/photos/crabchick
HEALTH & SAFETY
We all have a duty to keep ourselves safe by cooperating with safety measures and not putting ourselves
or others in danger.
People who follow this trail do so at their own risk and
the Heritage Trail cannot accept any liability towards
them.
REMINDER: All walkers should be wary of the weather,
take sensible precautions throughout the walk and be
watchful of traffic, particularly when on the public
highway. Some of the smaller roads have no pavements
so more care is needed there.
Throughout the trail adults need to be extra vigilant
with children who may be at risk from traffic, water
features and have opportunities for climbing on
walls and other structures.
Although much of the Trail is on the level there are also
some quite steep hills – Falcondale Road, Westbury Hill
and Chock Lane.
Where possible, use the crossings and wait for the
any pedestrian lights to turn green.
WESTBURY-ON-TRYM HERITAGE TRAIL
WESTBURY-ON-TRYM
HERITAGE TRAIL
Welcome to Westbury!
‘The Village within the City’
The best way to explore the Village
is on foot!
DIRECTIONS (4 miles from Bristol City Centre)
Car – from Motorway - M5 Junction 17
Bus – Main stops en-route are in Canford Lane,
Follow A4018 for about 2.5 miles.
Westbury-on-Trym by the shops.
Parking (Free for 3 hours)
Westbury Hill Car Park – BS9 3AA
For more details see:www.traveline.info/