Nailsea
Environmental Archaeological Team chairman Dave Sowdon talked about the
historic buildings of Nailsea at the annual town meeting.
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This photo comes from The Frith Collection which is recognised as being the only nationally important photographic archive of its kind still in private hands. The Collection was founded by Francis Frith, the pioneer Victorian photographer, in 1860. Today it contains more than 365,000 photographs depicting some 7,000 towns and villages throughout Britain – all taken between 1860 and 1970. Go to http://www.francisfrith.com/company/ to view more.
This
was somewhat apt at Nailsea Town Council is about to move into the newly
restored 15th century tithe barn this month.
He told
the meeting: “Nailsea has grown considerably during the past 50 years but
hidden among the new houses are some well-known listed buildings.
“The
structures listed by English Heritage are varied and reflect the agricultural
and industrial history of this dormitory town.
“It is
not possible in the short time available to give the history of each structure
but I hope to give an idea of ‘old’ Nailsea, as reflected in its buildings.
“The
most obvious buildings in the community are this Holy Trinity, the Tithe Barn
and Nailsea Court.
“All
date from the 14th and 15th centuries, but all may be on the site of older
structures.
“Not
all the listed structures are buildings – for example outside the south door of
the church is the base of an old cross, several tombs, the gate posts to the
church yard, and an old red phone box.”
He
included in an illustrated presentation pubs, farmhouses, relics of Nailsea’s
coalmining and the glassworks.
Here
are a few he mentioned:
NAILSEA COURT
This is
a Grade I listed building and the house has four periods of building in the
15th, 16th, 17th and the reconstruction of the west wind and other alterations
by Arthur Stratton from 1910.
The
garden walls, piers, steps, balustrade and urns attached to the north west of
Nailsea Court are again from different periods starting from 16th through to
20th century.
The
barn about 20 metres east of Nailsea Court is Grade II listed.
The
barn was converted as a garden building in 17th century remodelled probably
1910 by Arthur Stratton as part of his work at Nailsea Court.
TITHE
BARN (formerly Hannah More Infant School)
This is
a Grade II* barn which was converted into school and then used as a community
centre. Circa late 15th or early 16th it was altered in1791-2 and extended in
the late 19th century which now has its medieval roof structure exposed.
K6 TELEPHONE KIOSK
(opposite Holy Trinity Church)
This is
a Grade II red telephone kiosk. Of type K6 which was designed in1935 by Sir
Giles Gilbert Scott. Made by various contractors in cast iron the square kiosk
it topped with a domed roof.
CHRIST CHURCH and nearby
vicarage
This is
a Grade II parish church built in 1843 by Scott and Moffat with 20th century
additions including a vesty. The vicarage is also Grade II and is now in
commercial use.
FARMHOUSES
Mizzymead
is a Grade II farmhouse which was built in the mid 17th century with later
alterations and additions and is now a private house. Many farmhouses in
Nailsea and nearby have listed building status including the Grade II Four
Gables at Netherton Wood Lane out towards West End.
This
was originally built in the 17th century but had new windows in the 19th
century and other later alterations.
Also
included in the list are South Common Farmhouse, also at Netherton Wood Lane
and East End Farmhouse – now a pub at Truro Road in the middle of The
Trendlewood housing estate.
One of
the oldest is Coombe Grange, an early 17th century farmhouse at Youngwood Lane
which was originally a long house.
Another
Grade II listed building now used as a riding school is Youngwood House with
its ancient bakehouse and ciderhouse and Nurse Batch built in the 17th century
but with a new facade added 100 years later.
PUBS
The
Butchers Arms is the oldest pub in the Kingshill area of Nailsea and is a Grade
II listed building. It dates back to 1737 with more work and modifications in
later centuries.
The
Royal Oak is another Grade II inn this one dates from the 18th century and
despite later internal alterations it retains its stabling and subsidiary
buildings and presents a handsome façade to the High Street.
MILEPOST
This
Grade II milepost is dated 1911. It is a cast iron, triangular milepost with
raised lettering on recessed panels saying Bristol 8 miles and Clevedon 6 miles
and sits opposite the village green outside the Queen’s Head.
Click HERE and search for Nailsea for more
information about our historic structures listed on the English Heritage
website.