In November 2023 AS Archaeology & Heritage Services was commissioned (Home – William Abbott Developments) to carry out a Heritage Statement with regard to a planning application for the proposed refurbishment and conversion of The Bridgwater Arms a Grade II listed building. As we explored the building, its fascinating history slowly unfolded before us. Prominently situated within the historic core the Bridgwater Arms (formerly known as Waterloo House), a Grade II listed three-storey former public house of early to mid-18th century date is positioned on the south side of St Mary Street within the core of the historic market town and port of Bridgwater. An locality designated as a Conservation Area and an Archaeological Priority Area.
Bridgwater Arms and Bridgwater
Bridgwater appears to have experienced mixed fortunes during the 16th and 17th centuries, with significant damage being caused in 1645 when the town was besieged during the English Civil War. Economic fortunes revived during the late 17th/early 18th centuries, due to the rapid growth of brick and shipbuilding industries. This growth was encouraged by the Duke of Chandos who laid out the residential development at Castle Street in the 1720s. Further building activity taking place in St Mary Street during the same period, including the construction of the Bridgwater Arms.
Historic mapping evidence Bridgwater Arms
Historic maps were examined to determine the historical development of the site over time. The earliest detailed map to show the site is John Strachey’s map of Bridgwater dated c.1735 which although somewhat schematic in its depiction of buildings nevertheless shows that the southern side of St Mary Street had already been heavily built-up by the early 18th century. This would seem to agree with the architectural detailing of the frontage of No. 41 which appears to be similar in style to the properties built along Castle Street by the Duke of Chandos in the 1720s (Dunning & Elrington 1992).
The next map to show the site in appreciable detail is the Ordnance Survey drawing of Bridgwater and district dated 1802; as with the 1735 map, the depiction of buildings along the S side of St Mary Street is lacking in detail but it does clearly indicate a rectangular building fronting onto the street and extending well to the rear of the street frontage.
The earliest map to provide a topographically detailing the site is a town plan of Bridgwater dated 1819. This plan shows that 41 St Mary Street as consisting of a long narrow plot with a large rectangular building at the north end, and extending back from the street frontage. Comparison between the 1819 town plan and a map of the Borough of Bridgwater dated c.1854 reveals significant changes to the layout of the building.
Tenure of John Bowen (1785 – 1854)
Substantial changes to the property appear to have occurred during his tenure. Bowen was a noteworthy inhabitant of Bridgwater who was employed in the construction and repair of lighthouses for Trinity House during the early 1800s. Later, he worked as an engineer for the East India Company until about 1821. He returned to England due to ill health, and took up business as a wine and spirits merchant, it was during this period that extensive alterations to the building were undertaken. It is believed Bowen constructed the extensive wine/spirits cellarage. It is possible that Bowen himself was responsible for the alterations as he was a experienced architect/engineer. He was appointed as civil engineer to the Bridgwater Turnpike Trust and also responsible for designing the Market House at Cornhill, built in 1827.
In the 1841 census Bowen is shown as a ‘Wine & Spirits Dealer’.
Bowen died in 1854, and in his Will bequeathed his estate to his adopted son, John J. Calman (the son of one of his engineering colleagues in India). Calman had already assumed joint control of the wine merchant’s business by the early 1850s. Calman is recorded as being in residence with his family on the 1861 census and further confirmed by a Post Office Directory of Somerset dated 1866. By no later than 1871, Calman had vacated the premises which was then occupied by another wine merchant named William May, who appears in the 1881 census.
Extensive 19th century dated graffiti discovered in an attic played homage to Bridgwater’s maritime past.
Mixed fortunes in the 20th century
The property was briefly occupied as offices by an architect’s practice during the 1940s before being used as a public house/off-license from c,1950 onwards. It was first known as ‘Waterloo House’ or the ‘Waterloo Arms’ before being renamed as the ‘Bridgwater Arms’. The interior was extensively refurbished in the mid-late 20th century during its usage as a public house. Minor alterations were made to its frontage during the mid to late 20th century and included the construction of a skittle alley. The Bridgwater Arms closed in 2010 and since then has been derelict.
For the full heritage statement see – Reports – AS Archaeology & Heritage Services
