The Bridgwater and District Civic Society has affixed numerous blue plaques to various buildings in Bridgwater and in the surrounding villages. The aim of this ongoing project is to enhance the knowledge of the town’s history and its built heritage. The project was initially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The plaques have been individually crafted by Leander Architectural.
Foreword
In the early years of this 21st century, the Bridgwater & District Society, in its review of the unique heritage of its Area of Benefit, decided to embark on a programme of marking buildings, of either architectural quality or with interesting history, by introducing the District’s first series of Blue Plaques.
These plaques are principally located around the town centre of Bridgwater itself, although a currently very limited number have been installed within nearby villages. The plaques have undoubtedly enhanced the townsfolk’s awareness of the value of its heritage and historical past, and have proved to be attractive to visitors exploring the local environs.
Credit and thanks for execution of the programme must be given to Dr. Peter Cattermole, who compiled a list of suitable locations for chosen plaques, agreed and arranged the recorded script on each, ordered the items from the chosen supplier and actually also personally affixed them to the appropriate buildings.
H. A. Derek Gibson. MBE. Dip.Arch President, Bridgwater & District Civic Society 2013
A note concerning plaque design:
- Circular and rectangular Plaques commemorate the building to which they are attached or which stood nearby
- Oval Plaques commemorate an individual associated with the building or area to which they are attached
Pages on each of the town’s plaques will follow over the coming months.
Medieval
Lytil Mill, Blake Street – and the founding of Bridgwater
Castle Corner Tower, Chandos Street – and the moat burials
Watergate, West Quay – surviving part of Bridgwater Castle
West Gate, Penel Orlieu – town gate
South Gate, St Mary Street – town gate
North Gate, Angel Crescent – town gate
East Gate and St John’s Hospital – Eastover – town gate and medieval hospital
The Friary – Friarn Lawn – Franciscan Church and Convent
Horse Pond Lane – off Friarn Street – oldest named street in Bridgwater with Friary boudary
Masonry Fragment, High Street, Medieval – medieval house construction
32 Friarn Street, Multi-period – a prosperous medieval house remodelled over the centuries
George’s Inn, St Mary Street and George Street – medieval and early modern inn
Isolda Parewastel, Clare Street – notable medieval woman
Early Modern
6 Silver Street, a Tudor house with gothic door
Unitarian Chapel, Dampiet Steet – first non-conformist chapel, 1688
15 Friarn Steet – fine early town house, circa 1700
Bond Street – Georgian warehousing, 1720s
Castle Street and the Arts Centre – fine Georgian Street, 1720s
The Lions, West Quay – Bridgwater’s finest house, 1725
Modern
Tom Poole, Nether Stower – friend of Coleridge 1766-1837
Thompsons, Mount Street – company founded 1797
Enmore School, Enmore, first free Church of England School, 1810
County Court House, Queen Street, 1824
Sully’s Coal Yard, the Docks, 1871
Lord Biffen at Otterhamton Village Hall, 1930-2007
More plaques to add
Later Plaques
- Dr Morgan’s School
- 2022 Tom Poole, Nether Stowey
- 2023 Quaker-Wesleyan Burial Ground, Albert Street
Older, non-blue Plaques
- Unitarian Chapel
- Castle Street
Non Civic Society Plaques
- Masonic Hall
- Castle House