Frampton Cotterell &Coalpit Heath

Home , Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell, Kendleshire, Mayshill, Ram Hill, Ram Hill Colliery

Heritage Walks

Frampton Cotterell Frampton &

Coalpit Heath Coalpit        Half Moon Coalmining Frampton Cotterell Coalpit Heath Frampton Detectives Brockeridge Detectives Wheelchair Users’ Route

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Key to symbols to Key mornings, some afternoons) some mornings, (weekday Centre Brockeridge Tea/coffee & toilets at advised so sturdy footwear muddy/slippery Often Lake Bitterwell toilets at Picnic tables & opening) (restricted Toilets Stile(s) ground Uneven level mostly surface, Firm even mobility limited with surfaces, suited to those paved on walk short Easy friendly Wheelchair y l d n e i r f Buggy mud Alternative route avoiding Route

Contents Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heath &Coalpit Cotterell Frampton Frampton Detectives Brockeridge Detectives Half Moon Coalmining Frampton Cotterell Coalpit Heath Wheelchair Users’ Route

Heritage Walks |3 Walks Heritage

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1 Frampton Cotterell resident Sonia Taylor suggested at the Parish Plan Open Day in January 2 2008 that we should celebrate our local heritage N by producing this Heritage Walks Booklet. Sonia felt 3 this would enable people of all ages and abilities to 4 find out about and appreciate what remains from days gone by in an enjoyable and healthy way. 5 7 This illustrated booklet describes seven walks in and around Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath. Two of the walks have been designed for school children but we are sure parents and grandparents will enjoy them too! There is also a route especially for wheelchair or buggy users and others which focus on our mining heritage. For those walks which cross our lovely local countryside, please respect it, stick to the ‘Country Code’, expect a bit of mud, put on appropriate footwear and clothing and enjoy yourselves.

Acknowledgements This booklet was developed by Stella Beecher, Sue Punnett, Jen Dunford and Dave Hockey from the Village Action (Parish Introduction Plan) Team working in partnership with Trevor Thompson, Ian Haddrell and Jeffrey Spittal of the Frampton Cotterell Local History Society. It was funded by grants from South Gloucestershire Council. Help was also provided by staff at our local schools, by wheelchair users from Paul’s Place and also from local resident, Ron Morris.

Notes Each walk is colour coded as shown on the front cover. Historical information appears Key to map in italics. 1 Coalpit Heath 5 Wheelchair User 2 Frampton Cotterell 6 Brockeridge Detectives 3 Coalmining 7 Frampton Detectives 4 Half Moon Parish Boundary

© Copyright South Gloucestershire Council All rights reserved LA100023410, 2009 6 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 7 Coalpit Heath

Description Start at The Brockeridge Centre in Woodend Road.

Mostly firm Opposite the centre is

Coalpit Heath Coalpit surfaces. Buggy 1. British Brockeridge School. Heath Coalpit 1 alternative avoids 1 kissing gates and Opened in 1846, three years after its uneven fields Church of England counterpart. The that are muddy, cheap fees, generally one penny a week, especially after were attractive to many of the poorer rain. inhabitants of the village.

1 Toilets, seats and picnic tables at Bitterwell Lake (if walking round lake, do not disturb anglers). Coalpit Heath

Go back past the Brockeridge Centre and stop at the first corner (the intersection of Woodend Road and Lower Stone Close), called 2. The Spot. Slag heap This “Hallelujah Spot” was where, since 1882, Sunday missionary walks of the Salvation Army set out round the village. Continue along Woodend Road to house No 19, where once stood Total Distance 3miles/5km

Ring O’Bells (6) 8 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 9

3. Bethel Chapel. 5. Manor School. the gate of a field.K eep to the hedge 9. Ram Hill Colliery. on your right to reach the farm gate Established in 1851 by seceders from Opened July 1st 1868, the architect is ahead. 9 the Wesleyan Chapel in Church Road, it unknown but a plaque credits two Lords became redundant in 1969 when four of the Manor with its erection and reflects Look to your left for evidence of past chapels combined to form the United ecclesiastical patronage. It closed in 1986 mining activity: small slag heaps and Reform Church at Zion. when the replacement school was built. undulating contours in the land surface, indicating settlement of the subterranean Turn right at the Post Office into Exit field via the squeezer stile structure. Church Lane. Proceed along footpath (beside metal gate). to its end. Turn left and then right Go through kissing gate and continue

Coalpit Heath Coalpit along the main Badminton Road to straight ahead to 2nd kissing gate. This coal pit was sunk around 1840 and Heath Coalpit Turn right. Exit corner of field via 3rd worked for about 40 years. 4. St Saviour’s Church and 1 kissing gate onto footpath that leads It is a fine example of an early colliery 1 Lychgate. to gate of and incorporated many typical features The church was the first Anglican including an oval shaft (280 feet deep to 7. Ha’penny Bridge. commission for the eminent Victorian High Vein) and a horse gin ( horse drawn architect William Butterfield (1814-1900). The bridge maintains an ancient footway mechanism for raising coal and men to the Built 1844 - 1845, at the same time as over the railway. surface). Foundations of an atmospheric the vicarage, it is a landmark in the Turn left to engine, the holding down bolts and Proceed across the bridge to arrive at development of English ecclesiastical foundation blocks are clearly visible. This 6. Ring O’ Bells. architecture. The lychgate was a 8. Railway Cottages. site was also the terminus of the Dramway processional resting place for the departed, Possibly of seventeenth century origin. ( horse drawn railway) which, from 1829 These red brick cottages were built by the prior to the funeral service. In 1837 it was the local headquarters of a to 1866, transported coal nine miles to Great Western Railway to accommodate funeral and benefit club and later merged Londonderry Wharf on the River Avon, Return a few metres to cross the main railway employees who held key positions, with the colliers’ doctors’ fund which was near Keynsham. Recently, Ram Hill Pit has road at the traffic island.C ontinue such as the signalmen. linked to the miners’ trade union. It also become a site of industrial archaeological a few metres along the main road served as a Coroner’s Court investigating Directly opposite the cottages, enter restoration, recognised as an Ancient to enter playing field via gate and pit accidents. (via gate) the site of Monument. diagonally cross the corner of playing field. Detour for buggies and to avoid muddy field after rain: 4 Turn right in front of pub (Henfield Rd). Under railway, then first left (Ram Hill). Straight on (Broad Lane) and first leftR ailway Cottages (see note 8). After Ram Hill Colliery, retrace your steps and turn right (Broad lane).

Continue up Roundways, passing the new school. At St Anne’s Drive (on right), take the signposted footpath to 5 10 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 11

Exit the site and continue to end. Turn Continue along and downhill, passing Continue along the winding track Continue along, passing the Ring O’ right (Broad Lane). Turn left at the Serridge Lane, to eventually reach (on until it terminates at Henfield Bells on the right. Continue straight junction which is left) Road, opposite the entrance to the onto footpath (between old and new Kendleshire Golf Club. Turn right and schools). 10. Ram Hill. 13. Bitterwell Lake. proceed 500 metres until reaching (on At the end of the path, continue The origins of this lake are unknown. left) the site of 10 straight along South View Crescent; The site was originally owned by The 15. Serridge Engine then follow it left to the main road. On Coalpit Heath Colliery Company and was your right is purchased from them in 1930 by Mr C 15 Newman who presented it to Westerleigh 18. The Miners’ Hall.

Coalpit Heath Coalpit Parish Council. The car park is sited on the Heath Coalpit Originally, The Miners’ Institute was original dramway sidings. 1 opened in 1927 by H.B.Napier Esq. (see 1 After leaving Bitterwell Lake, turn right commemorative plaque) to promote the (opposite HenfieldH all) into Bitterwell welfare of local miners and their families. The name possibly derived from the Old Close. Then fork right The building costs were met by weekly English name “hramsa” for wild garlic. The contributions of six old pennies from the first house on the right is where there is an old engine house with a This site is being excavated by industrial miners and an equal sum by the colliery circular walled building in the garden - one archaeologists of South Gloucestershire 11. Bleak House. company. of the few remaining horse gin houses Mines Research Group. The work is Once the residence of Frog Lane Colliery in South Gloucestershire. This was the ongoing and can be viewed from the wall 18 Manager, Francis Eames, who was a much 19th century headquarters of the colliery to the right of the gate. respected mining engineer. He features in company and is called At the top of the rise, on the left, is: many of the mining photographs taken 14. New Engine, Henfield. by the eminent Victorian photographer, 16. Serridge Barn and House. J.C.Burrows, on his visit to Coalpit Heath in 14 Formerly the home of Mr Henry Hewitt, 1904. described in 1841 as a farmer of 150 acres, Cross at the pedestrian lights and turn Next-door is deputy manager of the Coalpit Heath Coal down Woodend Road back to the Company and son of Mr William Hewitt, 12. Laburnum Cottage. Brockeridge Centre. of Heath Cottage, who was manager and Recorded as one of the oldest dwellings in bailiff to The Lords of Westerleigh. William the parish of Westerleigh, it was the colliery was one of the founder members of St 17 company pay house in the late 18th Saviour’s Church. century and still retains a substantial wall Continue straight over the cross roads, safe in one of the ground floor rooms. eventually passing under Here were the original houses for key 12 colliery workers together with workshops, 17. The Railway. some of which have recently been The building of the railway, completed in converted into dwellings. Early Ordnance 1902, was originally known as the Wootton Survey maps show railway sidings and a Bassett Link. It was built to reduce the colliery engine house. distance between London and South Wales by removing the long loop around Bath and Bristol. 12 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 13

1 8 1 13 7 9 10 11 12 14 18 15 6 5 3 2 4 17 16 1 start

 1 British School  4 St Saviour’s Church & Lychgate  7 Ha’penny Bridge  10 Ram Hill  13 Bitterwell Lake  16 Serridge Barn and House  2 The Spot  5 Manor School  8 Railway Cottages  11 Bleak House  14 New Engine, Henfield  17 The Railway  3 Bethel Chapel  6 Ring O’Bells  9 Ram Hill Colliery  12 Laburnum Cottage  15 Serridge Engine  18 The Miners’ Hall 14 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 15 Frampton Cotterell

Description Start at The Brockeridge Centre in Woodend Road.

Mostly firm Opposite the centre is

Frampton Cotterell Heath Frampton Coalpit surface. Buggy 1. British Brockeridge School. Cotterell Frampton 2 alternative avoids 2 stiles and fields Opened in 1846, three years after the that are muddy, foundation of its Church of England especially after counterpart. The cheap fees, generally one rain. penny a week, were attractive to many of the poorer inhabitants of the village. Toilets at 1 Brockeridge Centre, Crossbow House (evenings & some weekends) and church if open.

Walk uphill to reach 2. Zion United Church. The first chapel on this site was established in 1795 by Thomas Humphreys, Clerk Step House (5) to the Coalpit Heath Colliery Company. Membership grew rapidly during the 19th century and there was much involvement in local educational work. The new chapel was built in 1873; the original building Frampton Cotterell behind is now the church hall and Sunday school. In 1969 Zion conjoined with the 3.3miles/5.4km Total Distance three village Methodist chapels. The Old Post Office (14) 16 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 17

Opposite Zion is the iconic landmark 6. Council Houses. 7 At the end, go through the two kissing of Frampton Cotterell gates and keep right across the Hilly 6 Field, heading for the large house on 3. The Windmill. the right which is Built around 1825, it was converted to 9. Frampton Court. steam power in the mid 19th century and was in use until the 1920s. The mill Originally a fortified dwelling house, parts ground inferior quality corn primarily for of which ( from documentary evidence) agricultural foodstuffs. It was adapted for can be dated back to the 13th century . It residential use in 1990. Circa 1925, the first example of such was the dwelling house of the Lord of the

Frampton Cotterell Frampton local provision in the village. Probably Manor or his bailiff from the 14th century Cotterell Frampton Keep left to continue the walk along developed as a result of legislation and was owned and occupied in the 16th Woodend Road until Further along Park Lane, past Rectory 2 promoted by John Wheatley (1869-1930), century by the Seymour family. The head of 2 Road, is 4. Gladstone Lane. Labour MP with interest in housing and this family was Protector Somerset, brother health. 8. Step House. (see also Pages 43 and 60) of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife. The A reminder of Liberal political sympathies house was much enlarged during the 17th in the village of the nineteenth century At the end of the road turn right into Built in 1733 (see down pipe on side) for century. (William Gladstone 1809-1898, Prime Park Lane and proceed until reaching members of the Hall family, who were Minister, whose failure to complete the house No 191. associated with the Christy family in the Return to the two kissing gates and Home Rule for Ireland Bill brought his hat making business. From 1881 to about turn left along the footpath between 7. The Hat Factory. retirement from Parliament in 1895). In this 1921 it was St Michael’s Orphanage. “Step” the playing field and the rear of lane can be seen a refurbished well, which In use by Messrs. Christy of Bermondsey refers to its raised position on the river Frampton Court (alternatively, if was typical of old cottages here. 1823 to 1865. Prior to 1823, hat making terrace. At one time, its land extended up muddy, go up the steps and along was a cottage industry with component to what is now Ryecroft Road. a parallel path the other side of the Continue down Woodend Road, parts being dispatched from Frampton hedge). Continue straight through passing on the left Retrace your steps and turn right Cotterell for finishing elsewhere. These the car park to opposite the Live and Let Live pub, 5. Bunch of Grapes. buildings brought the people and down Rectory Road, veering left at components together and introduced to Meadow Mead. Cross the River Frome 5 Frampton Cotterell the factory system, 9 and continue uphill, turning first left where people worked for an employer into Park Row. with set terms of pay instead of individual freelance employment. The adjacent cottage was the factory manager’s Detour for Buggies and to residence. The factories closed after avoid kissing gates: industrial unrest and a change in fashion Either: Continue up Rectory Rd from the type of felt hat made in Frampton and turn left at end. Proceed to Cotterell to the bowler and silk top hat . Dwelling No 159 was one of at least Crossbow House (see note 10), on Some local hatters accepted employment seventeen public houses in Frampton left. at Christy’s other factories in Stockport Cotterell and Coalpit Heath, of which only Or: Enter playing fields on right and Bermondsey. During the 1830s, the six now remain. from Park Row. Diagonally cross weekly production was 110 dozen hats. playing field to car park and At the bottom of the hill, fork left. The premises were used for building and Crossbow House (see note 10). Opposite the playing field, pass the woodwork manufacture during 1875 - 1945. 18 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 19

10 11. Cross Hands or Western Coach 13 House. Detour for buggies and to avoid muddy fields after Now three dwellings converted from one rain: of the 17 pubs previously referred to. A Return along Mill Lane and turn public house occupied this site from the left into Church Rd, passing over mid 19th century to 2006. Geographically, the River Frome (from which it is in the centre of the village. Some older Frampton derived its name: residents once claimed to have known it as settlement on the R.Frome). Turn a favourite venue for bare knuckle fighting left through a gap in the wall and between local youths.

Frampton Cotterell Frampton 10. Crossbow House. follow the pavement (Church Cotterell Frampton Turn right along Church Road passing, Close), passing the entrance to Originally a school, begun in 1842 in a 2 on the right, the site of the 2 room attached to St Peter’s Church, moved 17. Iron mine, now private to this building in 1856 (note two date 12. Poor House. Continue along Church Road and dwellings (see item 18 on page stones) and eventually run by the National cross at the traffic island to reach Its site is behind No 417. Tthis local provision 20). At the end of Church Close, Society for Promoting the Education of for the indigent, infirm and poor of the 15. St Peter’s Church. (see also Page 41) turn left into Church Rd. Continue the Poor in the Principles of the Church of village was built in 1824 at a cost of £179. It to the shops (see note 20) at England. Gloucestershire County Council It is the third church on this site and was served its purpose until the establishment the top of hill and junction with took over its management in 1903. Its completely restored, with the exception of of Chipping Sodbury Union Work House Frampton End Rd. successor, in Rectory Road, was opened the tower, in 1857/58 by the architect John in 1840. Note the fine example of a stone on 8th September 1969. The Frampton Norton (1823-1904). Gothic features are carved horse drinking trough in the front 17 Cotterell Community Association took prominent both externally and internally garden. possession of the building following the with Tractarian (Anglo Catholic High transfer of the school to its new location. Further along Church Road, just past Church) decoration. School Road, is Turn left into School Road, cross the Turn beside the church into Mill road and take the footpath (beside 13. Parsonage Farm. Lane. On the right hand, at the bungalow No 25), eventually reaching boundary of the churchyard, are the Former home of the Brookman family the main Bristol Road. Turn right to pillars and gate of the village pound, who were the last bakers in Frampton reach the repositioned from their original site Cotterell. They produced bread and fancy in Church Road. Further along Mill cakes from the bakery at the rear of this 11 Lane is building until the business ceased on 25th 16. No 4 Mill Lane. November 2006. 16 Formerly the New Inn, in the late On your right is 18th and early 19th century it provided “club rooms” for 14. The Old Post Office. meetings of both the Felt Frampton Cotterell Post Office occupied Makers’ Friendly Society these premises throughout the 19th and the Parish Vestry century, prior to moving further up Church (predecessor of the Parish Road to the site opposite Ryecroft Road. Council). 20 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 21

Turn right after No 4 and proceed 19 Between No 153 and the shops is a down the footpath crossing the River footpath known locally as “Dark Lane.” Frome. Enter field via two signed stiles beside two farm gates. Walk forward, then veer left to the gate on the opposite side of the field where you will come to 18. Iron Mine and redundant railway embankment. A plaque identifies it as the site of the home of the parents of William (Bill)

Frampton Cotterell Frampton Low grade haematite iron ore was mined Cotterell Frampton Green who was, during the 1930s, an at three pits to the north of Church Road American trade union leader and miners’ Proceed through the lane and 2 from 1862 to 1875. A single track railway 2 representative. turn right into Lower Stone Close. was laid in1868 to transport the ore for Continue on this road, crossing smelting in South Wales. The line was Walk to the shops, facing you at the Upper Stone Close, to return to The removed in 1892 but the embankments end of the road. Brockeridge Centre at the far end. and trackway remain. 20. Shops, opposite Frampton End With closure of the mine, the site with Road. its existing shafts was acquired by the From the middle of the 18th century until West Gloucestershire Water Company it closed in May 2000, this was the centre who exploited the vast quantities of of the local grocery trade with an extensive subterranean water for the surrounding network of local delivery rounds. district. Water pumping ceased here in 1958 when it closed due to contamination. Twenty metres away is Proceed via the gate, up the steep 21. No 153 Church Road. signposted footpath and turn left along the disused rail track for 100 21

metres to a kink in the path, where you turn right through a signed gap into the field. K eep the hedge on your right till it bends right; then go straight across the field towards a stile (beside oak). Cross 2nd field to 2nd stile. Cross 3rd field to 3rd stile.T urn right onto narrow road and look for 19. No 72 Frampton End Road.

The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, built in1821, was demolished in 1967.

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21 20

6 3 5 4 1

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 1 British School  5 Bunch of Grapes  9 Frampton Court  13 Parsonage Farm  17 Iron mine  20 Shops, opposite Frampton End Road  2 Zion United Church  6 Council Houses  10 Crossbow House  14 The Old Post Office  18 Iron mine and redundant  21 No.153 Church Road  3 The Windmill  7 The Hat Factory  11 Cross Hands or Western Coach House  15 St Peter’s Church railway embankment  4 Gladstone Lane  8 Step House  12 Poor House  16 No.4 Mill Lane  19 No.72 Frampton End Road 24 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 25 Coalmining

Description Start on the Badminton Road at 1. St Saviour’s Church. Mostly rural and Proceed through the lychgate to the Coalpit Heath Coalmining Coalpit very muddy in church door, passing (on right) the Coalminig 3 places, especially granite tombstone of 3 after rain. Francis Eames, colliery Manager of the Take care crossing Coalpit Heath Coal Company during main road. the late 19th and early 20th century. His If walking round photograph is prominent in a series taken lake, do not by photographers, Hughes and Burrows disturb anglers. 1905 (See Images of England series. Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath).

Coalmining 1

Continue along the church path, passing (on left, just past the yew tree) the Coalpit Heath Tombstones of the Hewitt family. William Hewitt was, during the mid 19th century, Bailiff to the Lords of the Manor of Westerleigh, the owners of the Coalpit Heath Coal Company. He was also a principal person involved in the 5.7miles/9km Total Distance establishment and building of St Saviour’s Church. 26 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 27

1 This allowed cattle to pass between Take the signed footpath, veering farmland that had been divided by the left across the golf course (follow construction of the railway. the marker posts). Keep left past the pond, after which you will pass over After this, on your left, you will see the an adit. railway viaduct. This is an underground drainage tunnel, The original design proposal for the railway sufficient in size for a man to walk in. It was was for a series of 15 arches from Henfield constructed by the colliery company to Road to the Badminton Road. However, drain water from the coal mines of Coalpit due to the extensive subterranean coal Heath. Branch adits extend into Coalpit

Coalmining works and the difficulty in finding a Coalminig Heath, connecting the water courses suitable foundation for the supporting within the colliery workings . The water 3 piers, the scheme was amended to an 3 is discharged into the River Frome, 200 embankment and only three arches. yards to the north of Damsons Bridge. Two Other prominent tombstones are for “ The Great Veine upon ye North spoil heaps, arising from the excavations, men involved in coalmining, including East of the said John Bampton’s remain and have been incorporated within merchants and the Underground house in ye flatt inC oalpit Heath. the landscape of the golf course. Manager. Numerous coal miners have There wrought to ye depth of five Pass right of the next pond (follow their final resting place in this churchyard. fathoms to ye length of an hundred markers) and across a stone bridge. Many are unmarked, which accounts for yards ...... and further northward Keep right and then turn right onto a the many gaps in the rows of headstones upon ye same veine it is wrought to track leading to a kissing gate. Turn and areas completely devoid of any form ye depth of eight fathoms and the left onto RuffetR oad. Continue 500 of recognition. ended near ye corner of Watkins metres uphill to the cross roads, hedge in ye parish of Frampton Proceed beyond the churchyard passing (on right) the gardens of lying on the north.” and turn right into Beesmoor Road. Turn right along the main Badminton Further along, turn third left into St Woodland Farm, formerly Blackberry Road to cross at the first traffic island. Saviour’s Rise. After ButterfieldC lose, Farm, is soon visible to the left with Continue along Badminton Road into turn left (dog bin) across the open the lay-by opposite Park Lane. Go 2. John Bampton’s House. space to the kissing gate at the far through the kissing gate. end. Keep left beside the fence to proceed through the archway under the Continue through the gate and along railway, known as a the footpath, heading toward the railway embankment. 3. Cattle Creep.

The wooded area on the left is historically 3 very significant as it features in the earliest record of coal mining in Coalpit Heath. On Thursday 5th November 1691, there was a perambulation of the coal mines in the parish of Westerleigh. An extract from the document refers to this wood: 28 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 29

4. Serridge House. 6 8. Dramway Footpath. 9. Sleeper Stones.

This was the residence of the bailiff of This Dramway (a horse drawn railway) 9 the Lords of the Manor of Westerleigh, in was completed in 1832 and was used particular the Hewitt family. The house to transport coal from Coalpit Heath to and farm (the buildings now converted Londonderry Wharf at Willsbridge on the into dwellings) were originally within River Avon. the Manor of Pucklechurch and was Proceed along the footpath over two sold by Sir Nicholas Poyntz (of Acton metal stiles beside stable gates. Cross Court) to Sir Maurice Dennys of Syston field to a kissing gate.F ollow hedge Park in 1574. Serridge and its estate into dwellings, the old cottages were for

Coalmining curving to the right; 2nd kissing Coalminig was not incorporated within the parish key workers. At the end of the track, before turning gate. Cross Serridge Lane to signed of Westerleigh until 1786 when it was right, cross the road to see the original 3 Follow this winding lane between the Dramway footpath. 3 purchased by the Lords of the Manor. gate posts of the entrance (now a houses until eventually reaching (on However, the coal and mineral rights had At this point was the site of Churchlease business park) to the old right) the prominent previously been leased or sold to various Colliery. Look in the footpath beside the adventurers since 1709. Engine House (now a residence) and the cricket pavilion to see relics of the old remains of a horse gin. This site was also Dramway track. Turn right toward Henfield and (near one of the termini of the Dramway. The a small 30mph sign), you will pass (on early Ordinance Survey maps show railway right) the site of sidings and the extent of the works. 5. Serridge Engine. This is an industrial archaeological site being excavated by the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group. It can be viewed over the wall to the right of the gate. In 1712, Thomas Newcomen invented the first effective engine using the power of steam in conjunction with atmospheric pressure to pump water from deep mines. Newcomen engines are often referred to as “Fire Engines” due to their use of fire to raise steam. Turn left opposite the entrance to the Fork left at this house. Turn left out golf club into an unmade road passing of Bitterwell Close, opposite Henfield cottages and other houses into Hall. On the right, behind a hedge, you will pass 6. New Engine. 7. Bitterwell Lake. For many years, this was the headquarters of the Coalpit Heath Coal Company. Some Opposite the entrance to Bitterwell of the old workshops have been converted Lake, turn left along the signed

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10. Coalpit Heath Railway Station. Look out for a track on the left and Only a few small, old derelict buildings by the recorded death in the Westerleigh (see also Page 37 Item 7) access it via the gap beside a metal remain. The house on the left was the Parish burial register of “John Wills killed in barrier. Proceed under the railway house of the caretaker of the colliery. Some a coal pit at Trinham.” He was buried on Follow the Dramway sign and, at and along the footpath. facts about the colliery: Two shafts were the 23rd of May 1705. the top of the incline, keep straight sunk in the early 1850s. The winding shaft on into Broad Lane and then turn 12. Dismantled Railway. Turn left for 200 metres, then turn left was 220 yards deep and the pumping shaft left following the signed Dramway into Woodside Road. Turn right into was 230 yards. For ventilation purposes, footpath. On your left is the site of 12 Rose Oak Lane and continue straight it was connected underground to Mays on (Roundways). Opposite No 143 Hill Colliery. Two seams of coal were 11 Roundways are fields which still show worked: High Vein and Hard Vein. A third evidence, in the form of

Coalmining seam, the Hollybush, was not exploited Coalminig due to geological conditions. Output was 15. 19th Century Spoil Heaps. 3 approximately 3,500 tons per month. The (see also Page 37 Item 9) 3 colliery closed in 1949. Extending between Frog Lane and the Return along private road and turn Ring O’ Bells were twelve pits with names right along Frog Lane until you reach such as Leonards Pit, Half Moon Pit and 11. Ram Hill Colliery. This is the old trackway that connected the main road. Looking north to the Rose Oak Pit. Frog Lane Colliery with Westerleigh skyline you will see A site now registered as an Ancient At the end of Roundways (opposite junction LMS or Coalpit Heath Station Monument. Enter the site via gate and 14. Mayshill Farm. the modern and old schools) is the GWR. look for the: engine house, oval shaft and 16. Ring O’ Bells. horse gin (an ancient mechanism for Climb the gate at the end and go 14 raising the coal. The horse was connected straight on, passing Frog Lane Farm This public house has been associated by means of a pole to a large drum around on your left. Continue (through two with the mining industry of Coalpit Heath which was wrapped a long rope attached gates of Fairview House) until you for centuries. It features on the earliest at each end to a kibble or circular iron tub; reach the road (Frog Lane). Turn right maps of the parish and was the site of the as the horse walked in a circle so the drum into a private road. At the end is the Coroner’s Court for those miners killed in revolved, thus raising the full kibble or site of the coal pits. It was also the headquarters lowering the empty one). Further into the of the Miners’ Burial Club. 13. Frog Lane Colliery. site can be seen the termination point of Turn right onto the footpath between the dramway. 13 the schools. At the end of the 18th century, this was Continue along the footpath over one of the homes of Thomas Smythe, son Then diagonally cross Ha’penny Bridge, of Sir Jarrit Smythe of Long Ashton, who the playing field to exit passing over the railway which was built was one of the joint Lords of the Manor of right of the bus shelter. in 1902 and known, at that time, as the Westerleigh. In the late 18th century, the Cross via the traffic island Wootton Bassett Link. Whilst on the Lords of the Manor were the owners of all back to St Saviour’s bridge, note that on your left is the site of the coal pits in the parish of Westerleigh Church. what was Coalpit Heath Station. including Coalpit Heath, Henfield and Serridge. The ancient name of the field Retrace your steps past Ram Hill below the house is Trinham. It is the site of Colliery and turn left down Broad early coal mining activity, a fact confirmed Lane for approximately 300 metres. 32 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 33

 1 St Saviour’s Church  4 Serridge House  7 Bitterwell Lake  10 Coalpit Heath Railway Station  13 Frog Lane Colliery  16 Ring O’Bells  2 John Bampton’s House  5 Serridge Engine  8 Dramway Footpath  11 Ram Hill Colliery  14 Mayshill Farm  3 Cattle Creep  6 New Engine  9 Sleeper Stones  12 Dismantled Railway  15 19th Century Spoil Heaps 34 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 35 Half Moon

Description Start on the Badminton Road at 1. Badminton Arms. Firm surfaces The Badminton Arms replaced the Half Coalpit Heath Moon Half Coalpit except a short Moon Inn. Moon Half 4 field section – 4 avoidable, if Cross the main road at the traffic muddy. island, go up Woodside Road and continue past the houses.

1 Half Moon Half

Opposite here the Half Moon Pit (with a brick-lined shaft of 9 feet diameter and 240 feet depth) was in production till late 18th century Go straight through a gated farmyard to climb the metal stile/fence at the end. Turn right over a metal gate. 2. Dismantled Railway.

Laburnun Cottage (5) This footpath is on the former track of the colliery branch line which connected Frog Lane and Mayshill Collieries to the GWR at Coalpit Heath and the LMS at Westerleigh junction. This main line was completed in 1902 and connected the London-Bath- Bristol line at Wootton Bassett to the Bristol- 2.9miles/4.7km Total Distance South Wales line (via the Severn Tunnel).

Railway Houses At that time, it was called the Wootton Bassett Link. 36 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 37

Turn right at a metal barrier (Broad Next on the right is 8 9. Colliery Spoil Heaps. Lane). Turn right at the top (signed 5. Laburnum Cottage. In the 18th century, a series of pits from Dramway footpath) to Frog Lane to Ram Hill worked the coal to Recorded as one of the oldest dwellings in 3. Ram Hill Colliery. a depth of approximately 240 feet before it the parish of Westerleigh, it was the colliery was lost in the Coalpit Heath Fault. 3 company pay house in the late 18th century and still retains a substantial wall Circumnavigate the rough hump safe in one of the ground floor rooms. beside the hedge and exit field via kissing gate. Turn right (Roundways) Turn first right opposite L‘ ittle Roundways was named to commemorate and proceed past Orchard’ and ‘Long Acre’ into Serridge

Half Moon Half Lord Roundway of Devizes who was one Moon Half Lane. Turn right alongside the cricket 10. Rose Oak Farm. of the joint Lords of the Manor. 4 club (signposted Dramway footpath) 4 which is the 10 This late 18th – mid 19th century colliery Detour to avoid muddy field 6. Dramway. site is now recognised as an ancient after rain: monument. Enter the site to see the Notice, beside the cricket club, the sleeper Continue on Roundways. foundation ruins of a Newcomen stones that supported the rails and remain Opposite No 143 is a Colliery spoil Engine, a horse gin, an oval shaft and embedded in position. heap (see note 9). the termination of the Dramway. This Continue through a kissing gate to the Dramway (a horse drawn railway) was At St Anne’s Drive (on right), take the end. Turn left but notice the entrance opened in July 1832 to transport coal footpath between the houses and (now a business park) to the old from the collieries to the River Avon near enter the field, turn immediately The architectural style of this house is Keynsham. Note the pair of railway houses, 7. Coalpit Heath Railway Station. left to proceed along the hedge line typical of many in South Gloucestershire built by the railway company for key parallel with the road. In this field you dating from the late 17th century with its Only the two original gateposts remain. workers (in this case, the signalmen). will notice remains of old steeply pitched roof, high gables, thick At the end of the stone walls and small windows. Notice the Return back to Broad Lane and turn road, turn right oblique angle of the chimney tops. right (signed Dramway footpath). At to pass under the the junction, turn left (signed Railway At end, turn left into Woodside Road. railway. Continue path). The first house on the right is At the main road, cross at the traffic along the road to island to return to the Badminton 4. Bleak House. reach the Arms. This was once the residence of 8. Ring O’ Bells. the Manager of Frog Lane The Ring O’ Bells was the Colliery, Francis Eames. He building in which the was a much respected coroner held his court mining engineer who whenever there was a features in many of the death in the collieries of mining photographs taken Coalpit Heath. by the eminent Victorian photographer, J.C.Burrows, Turn right and proceed on his visit to Coalpit Heath along Roundways. in 1904. 9 38 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 39

 1 Badminton Arms  3 Ram Hill Colliery  5 Laburnum Cottage  7 Coalpit Heath Railway Station  9 Colliery Spoil Heaps  2 Dismantled Railway  4 Bleak House  6 Dramway  8 Ring O’Bells  10 Rose Oak Farm

40 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 41 Old Gate with Stone Posts (2) Wheelchair Users

Description Start in Church Road at 1. St Peter’s Church. Owing to some Go through the gates and proceed Wheelchair Users’ Route Users’ Heath Wheelchair Coalpit slopes, manual along the path to the main door. Route Users’ Wheelchair 5 wheelchair users 5 are advised to be Immediately on the left is the war accompanied. memorial of two world wars. To the right of the porch are a carved gargoyle and two Mill Lane (cul drainpipes with date stamps 1858, the year de sac) has no the church was rebuilt with the exception pavement and of the older tower. Carved figures of a man the church path and woman can be seen on the porch. paving slabs are 1 slightly ridged – both can be omitted. Additional dropped kerbs Toilet, suitable will be made on for disabled a side road in people, in the Rectory Road – church (open until these are Saturdays 10- completed, use 12am winter; the road (cul de The tower houses a peel of bells, a clock 2-4pm summer); sac) from No 7 and (within one of its corners) spiral stairs ramps and (new kerbs will be to the roof. If the church is open, look at additional visible from here). the internal Tractarian (Anglican High open times by Church) decorations and the fine stained Wheelchair Users arrangement glass windows. (phone 01454 Return to the front gate and turn right 778260). into Mill Lane. By the corner of the Seat opposite the churchyard is an church. Total Distance 1.1miles/1.7km 0.5 Miles – Distance can be halved by omitting Mill Lane and the Hat Factory, which can be done as two more separate walks (starting at the church). 42 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 43

2. Old Gate with Stone Posts. was once a passageway wide enough for 6 Turn right into Bridge Way and cross a pony and trap to access the yard and Meadow Mead at lowered kerbs. These were from the old village pound. stables at the rear. Proceed up the slope following the The village pound was where, in previous pavement into Park Lane and on to times, stray animals were kept prior to Between Nos 4 and 10, is an uneven being reclaimed by their owner. They were pathway leading down to a bridge 9. Step House. repositioned here from their original site in over the River Frome. If this option Built in 1733 for members of the Hall family Church Road. is taken then great care is needed who were involved in the hat making as there are no safety railings on the Proceed along Mill Lane, on the right From here you can see, at the far end business. From 1881 to around 1921 this bridge. is of the lane, the was St Michael’s Orphanage. Of Georgian

Wheelchair Users’ Route Users’ Wheelchair From this point can be seen a meadow style, it has large windows and a shell Route Users’ Wheelchair 3. No 4 Mill Lane. 7. Workshop of A. F. Drew. and, covered in woods beyond, the hood porch. There is an ornate cast iron 5 This steel fabrication business is the only hopper-headed rainwater pipe with date 5 3 5. Old railway embankment. craft or artisan business remaining in stamp on the left end wall. Step refers to its This served the iron mine operating 1862- Frampton Cotterell. In past generations original raised position on the river terrace. 1875. there were many small businesses within this and surrounding villages including 9 10 Further along Mill Lane, past boot and shoe makers, carpenters, cabinet allotments on the left, is makers and upholsters - all of which have a typical old stone slab stile with a view since disappeared. of Centenary Field which was purchased Return along Mill Lane where Formerly the New Inn, in the late18th – mid in 1994 by the Parish Council for the use opposite the church, to view through 19th century it provided “ club rooms” for of parishioners to commemorate the an arched gateway, is meetings of both the Felt Makers’ Friendly 100th anniversary of its establishment. Society and the Parish Vestry ( predecessor In the field is a beacon, which was lit for 8. The Globe. Continue along Park Lane. Cross of the Parish Council). the Millennium celebrations, and half a Rectory Road (dropped kerbs) then One of the five remaining public houses colliery winding wheel (or sheave) which immediately cross Park Lane (dropped Nearby and facing Church Road is in Frampton Cotterell, the others being serves as a reminder of the local historical kerbs). Continue along Park Lane to The Live and Let Live, The Rising Sun, The 4. No 10 Mill Lane. connections with the coal and iron mining. No 220, opposite Star and The Golden Lion (at present, not 4 On the right is the trading). During the past 200 years, records 10. The Hat Factory. reveal that there have been at least 17 inns, 6. Old Mill. From 1823 until 1865 these buildings were alehouses and beer houses in Frampton used by Messrs. Christy of Bermondsey and Frampton Mill was powered by the River Cotterell and Coalpit Heath. Stockport. Prior to 1823, hat making was Frome. The mill pond wall and mill race Turn left along Church Road and cross a cottage industry with component parts were demolished sometime in the 1950s at the traffic island (dropped kerbs). being sent away from Frampton Cotterell when the river was cleared of obstruction. Turn left to cross over the River Frome. for finishing. These buildings brought The mill ceased grinding sometime the workers together and introduced to between the two World Wars. Most of The present bridge replaced an old stone Frampton Cotterell the factory system, An old house with an interesting archway the original buildings which included a bridge which was demolished when where people came together to work within the front wall. This house was malt house, brewery and fishery were the road was re-aligned and widened for an employer and wages instead of originally two cottages and was known as demolished in the 1930s. Only the house after1966. individual freelance employment. The The Parson’s Rooms. The blocked-in arch remains. factories closed in 1865 following industrial 44 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 45

unrest and a change in fashion from felt hats to silk top hats and bowler hats. Some local hatters accepted employment 7 N at Christy’s other factories in Bermondsey and Stockport. During the 1830s, they produced 110 dozen hats weekly. Between 6 1875 - 1945 the buildings were used for carpentry and general woodwork Follow the tarmac path round till it manufacture during. The adjacent cottage widens into Brookside Drive, where 4 was the factory manager’s residence. you should cross diagonally to a Iron 3 Mines

Wheelchair Users’ Route Users’ Wheelchair lowered kerb. Route Users’ Wheelchair Return back to the junction at the 2 5 1 5 Live and Let Live, re-cross (dropped This is Church Farm estate, also referred to 8 5 kerbs) and go down Rectory Road as The Benson Estate (builder’s name). which is a downhill slope. Outside the �� Proceed along Brookside Drive with start garages of No 29 use the tarmac ramp (behind hedge) the Glebe Field and onto the road, continue down the the community orchard on the right. * road passing Bridge House on your Cross Foxe Road, left. Cross over the River Frome at Parsonage Bridge (dropped kerb). named to commemorate Rev. William Charles Fox who was instrumental in the Keep to the path on the right until rebuilding of the church in 1858. coming to a short sloping tarmac path beside steps. Cross Winchcombe Road (dropped kerb). At the end, take the path to Church Road. Cross over via the traffic 9 island (dropped kerbs) and return to St Peter’s Church.

 1  5  9 St Peter’s Church Traffic Island Old railway embankment Step House  2 Old Gate with Stone* Posts  6 Old Mill  10 The Hat Factory  3 No.4 Mill Lane  7 Workshop of A.F. Drew  4 No.10 Mill Lane  8 The Globe 8 46 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks detectives Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 47 Brockeridge detectives

Description Be a local History detective! As you walk, you can find many Specially written history clues and you may like to

Brockeridge Detectives Heath Brockeridge Coalpit for children but record some by wax crayon rubbings Detectives Brockeridge on paper (don’t damage anything - 6 equally enjoyable 6 for all ages. ask an adult first). Look for: Take care crossing Church Rd; no • Dates on older buildings pavement in Mill • Names of roads, buildings etc. Lane and near Zion. One uphill • Different styles of building and section. materials • Local names that remind us of past Toilets at events and people Brockeridge Brockeridge Centre and church if open. Frampton Cotterell Suitable grass picnic sites The name came from: opposite the Fram is from Frome and ton is the Saxon church and off name for a settlement; so Frampton was a Woodend Rd. Saxon settlement on the River Frome. Cotterell is from an old family called Cotele who once lived here as the Lords of the Manor. Number 10 Mill Lane Start in Woodend Road at 1. Brockeridge Infants School. The original school was built for children up to the age of 14 years, when they left school. They paid one old penny a week to Total Distance 1.8miles/3km go there. Since then, the size of the building has increased. River Frome Bridge (7) 48 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 49

 Can you find the date stone? 3 5. Old Bank. flooding and it was too expensive to keep pumping huge quantities of water from  Can you see where the extensions were 5 them, so the iron mine closed in1875. added?  How long was the iron mine worked?  Can you find the carved stones to show where Boys and Girls entered separate About 11 years later, it provided our doors? first local mains water when the West Gloucestershire Water Company started  Look at the different building materials of pumping 250,000 gallons of water daily. In stone with a slate roof for the old part, Continue to Church Road. Turn left. 1958, it closed due to contamination. brick and tiles for the newer parts. Brockeridge Detectives Brockeridge 4. Shops. Cross the road with great care and Continue down Church Close Detectives Brockeridge Turn left out of the playground and turn into Church Close (footpath pavement, going through a gap in the 6 before turning left into Lower Stone These shops were once the shopping centre 6 through a gap in the wall opposite old wall to return to Church Road. Turn Close, you will notice that the new of the village. There was a large grocery bank) to come to the site of right to the houses opposite are a site named shop, a butchers and an animal feed store. 6. The Iron Works and later The 7. River Frome Bridge. 2. The Spot.  Have these shops changed? Where is Waterworks. Frampton’s shopping centre now? Why do 7 2 you think it moved from here? From 1862, low grade iron ore was dug from three pits between here and the next Walking down Church Road, look for village north. the back garden of Number 183.  Do you know the name of this village? Can  Can you see a small rock face behind the you guess where its name came from? house? The pit owners thought that the mining This is the evidence that there used to be would continue a long time so they built This bridge replaced an old stone bridge in a stone quarry on this site. It was one of a special railway from Iron Acton to Yate 1966, when the road was straightened and many quarries along Brock ridge which and thence to South Wales, where the iron widened. supplied fine building stone for Frampton’s ore was smelted. However, the pits kept  Why call it The Spot? houses and walls. This is the old name of the spot where,  How many of these old stone houses and since 1882, the Salvation Army used to walls can you spot as you walk? meet each Sunday for their missionary Continue down Church Road. walk round the village.  Can you detect where the old Post Continue along Lower Stone Close Office used to be? (Clue: its post box and past the shops to telephone, on right.) 3. Highcroft School.  Can you find a small house that used to This school was built in 1968. Notice the be the Bank? (Clues: further along on left; differences in style, shape and building see photo.) materials used compared with Brockeridge Both services are no longer available in School. Frampton Cotterell. 6 50 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 51

On the right is 10. Number 4 Mill Lane. 11 It is called Step House because it is a step higher above the river bank. This was St 8. St Peter’s Church. 10 Michael’s Orphanage from 1881 to about Probably the third church on this site. It 1921. was rebuilt in 1857-8 and was designed by Continue along Park Lane. Cross both John Norton. Only the tower remains from Rectory Road and Park Lane at the the older building. Live and Let Live pub. Stop outside  Can you find a date stamp? (Clue: First find house number 222 to see some drainpipes.)  Are there any buildings in or near Frampton 14. The Hat Factory. with “mill” as part of the name?

Brockeridge Detectives Brockeridge  Look at the stone carvings. Which ones do Detectives Brockeridge This house used to be The New Inn. In the you like? Why?  Find an old stone stile near here. 14 6 late 18th and early 19th century it was 6  What pictures can you see on the stained used by the Felt Makers’ Friendly Society There are many stone stiles on footpaths glass windows? and also the Parish Vestry (now the Parish around Frampton Cotterell. Have you seen Council). any others? Leave the church and turn right into Mill Lane  Look at its path, traditionally made From here you can also see the steel with stone slabs placed on their edge (called business of  Can you find where this photo was taken? pitching). 12. F.H.Drew.  Find nearby Number 10. Can you detect 9 In the past, there were several other small the blocked up archway where a pony and workshops in Frampton Cotterell and trap would have gone to reach the yard and surrounding villages including blacksmiths, stables at the back? carpenters, shoemakers, chair makers and For many years, people of Frampton Further along Mill Lane, look for the cabinetmakers - all these have now gone. Cotterell worked in their own homes old This steel workshop is the only one left. making felt and hats as well as other 11. Mill. Return back along Mill Lane and turn things. This was called Cottage Industry. left to cross the busy Church Road at When the factory was built in 1823, people Before the 1930s, the Mill was a very 9. Old gate and stone posts from the traffic island.W alk left to go over came here to work together. This was important place and had been controlled the Village Pound. the bridge and turn right into Bridge called the Factory System. The factory by the Lord of the Manor. Long before Way. Cross Meadow Mead and follow closed in 1865 because workers were In the past, a village pound was where supermarkets and bread shops, the local the pavement right into Park Lane. unhappy with conditions and also hat stray animals were kept before their owners mill ground the farmers’ wheat into flour Continue to fashions changed. Some families moved paid to have them back. This pound was for making bread. The miller also ground to other hat factories in London and originally in a field opposite the church other seed crops, such as barley and oats, 13. Step House. Stockport to continue their trade. On one where there are now houses for the farmers’ animals. The mill was This Georgian style house was built in 1733 side of the factory is the Manager’s house. powered by the flow of the river turning  Can you detect when this gate was moved for the Hall family who were hat makers. the waterwheel which then moved the mill  Can you read its date stone? here? Can you guess why? stones to grind the wheat. There used to be  Can you see its shell hood porch and its very  Can you detect where an old door Next to the churchyard there many mills along the River Frome between large windows? used to be? is a very old house Chipping Sodbury and Bristol. There were  Can you find where the date stamp is? (Clue: five mills in Frampton Cotterell and Iron  What is behind this building? look for a decorated rainwater drain pipe.) Acton. Describe the windows. 52 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 53

Turn 2nd left into Woodend Road. 17 19. The Windmill. Look on the right for This was built about 1825 and used until 15. Beesmoor Road. the 1920s for grinding poor quality corn, mostly for farm animals. Sometime in the This used to be a lane and footpath with 19th century, the sails were removed and it a stile on the parish boundary (between was powered by steam. Westerleigh and Frampton Cotterell). In 1928, Rev. Phillips (vicar of St Saviours  Can you see where the boiler house was by a Church) persuaded the parish councils tall chimney? Historical clue 124 to make it a road. This gave work to  Compare the old and newer houses as you The Windmill was higher than today

Brockeridge Detectives Brockeridge unemployed men and made an easier walk up the hill. Detectives Brockeridge but it was unsafe, so about 3 metres was way to Badminton Road and the railway Turn left into Gladstone Lane. removed from the top in the 1960s. It was 6 station. 6 changed to a house in1990.  Find the well that was typical of many old Continue along Woodend Road. Look cottages here.  Spot the very large stone in the front for garden. Guess how heavy it is. Return to continue up Woodend 16. House numbers 178-198. Road. At the top of the hill is Brockeridge School is further along 16 the road. 18. Zion Chapel. Historical clue 124a (Highcroft groups may wish to return 18 to their school by the footpath

alongside the windmill into Upper Stone Close; Highcroft is at the far end of this road).

After the 1st World War, many people had no jobs so lots of houses needed repairs or became derelict. To improve this, in 1925, The original Zion Chapel and Sunday the first council houses were built here. School, built in 1795, is now the hall behind. They had long gardens for growing their Membership grew rapidly during the 19th own fruit and vegetables. century and in 1820, the Sunday School Fork right to continue up Woodend had 200 children. Today’s chapel was built Road, passing on the right a house in1873. There were once several chapels that was once a public house called in the village. In 1969, the three remaining chapels joined with Zion to become one. 17. The Bunch of Grapes.  Find house numbers 124 and 124a opposite Beside the house is a small two story Zion. Can you spot clues as to what used to building which was once a pigeon loft. be there? Breeding and racing pigeons was the favourite pastime of lots of working men.  What are the house names?  Nearby, find 19 54 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 55 N 3 2 4 1 start Brockeridge Detectives Brockeridge Detectives Brockeridge 6 6 18 19 17 5 6 16 7 8 15 9 13 10 11 14 12

 1 Brockeridge Infants School  4 Shops  7 River Frome Bridge  10 No.4 Mill Lane  14 The Hat Factory  18 Zion Chapel  2 The Spot  5 Old Bank  8 St Peter’s Church  11 Mill  15 Beesmoor Road  19 The Windmill  3 Highcroft School  6 The Iron Works and later the  9 Old gate and stone posts from the  12 F.H.Drew  16 House number 178-179 Waterwalks Village pound  13 Step House  17 The Bunch of Grapes

56 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks detectives Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 57 Frampton detectives

Description Be a local History detective! As you walk, you can find many Specially written history clues and you may like to Coalpit Heath Coalpit Frampton Detectives Frampton for children but record some by wax crayon rubbings Detectives Frampton on paper (don’t damage anything - 7 equally enjoyable 7 for all ages. ask an adult first). Look for: Take care: narrow pavements • Dates on older buildings in Park Lane; • Names of roads, buildings etc.

Frampton crossing Church Rd; no pavement • Different styles of building and in Mill Lane. materials Group organisers • Local names that remind us of past should check events and people conditions between Crossbow House Frampton Cotterell and Nightingale’s Bridge. The name came from: Fram is from Frome and ton is the Saxon Grass picnic sites: name for a settlement; so Frampton was a opposite church Saxon settlement on the River Frome. and in The Park Cotterell is from an old family called Cotele near Crossbow who once lived here as the Lords of the House, which has Manor. Lodge Cottage toilets Start in Rectory Road at (open evenings 1. Frampton Cotterell Church of and some England School. weekends). It was built in 1969 to replace the old school Toilet in in School Road. It is on land that was part Total Distance 3.3miles/5.4km church, if open. of the old rectory garden. The modern style has a flat roof and large windows, a Number 10 Mill Lane design to give maximum light and space 58 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 59

for teachers and pupils but not in the Detour for buggies and to Ask your parents to take you to Acton Court 5 traditional style or building materials of avoid kissing gate and field: in the summer when they have special Frampton. events. Continue to the end of School Turn left out of the school along Rd. Turn left into Court Rd and Just beyond Frampton Court, turn left Rectory Road. continue straight into Nightingale down a rough track that goes beside Lane, which bends left to Hilly Field until reaching  Look for Lodge Cottage which marks a Frampton Court (see note 3) previous driveway to the rectory. 4. Nightingale’s Bridge. Turn left along School Road until Take the footpath at the rear of This is the only stone arch bridge that still reaching Crossbow House by going straight remains in Frampton Cotterell. Frampton Detectives Frampton ahead through both car parks: the Detectives Frampton 2. Crossbow House.  What might Victorian children have done 5 path runs between the playing field 7 here? 7 This building used to be The National and the grounds of Frampton Court. 2 At the “kissing gate,” turn right across  Who do you think used this ancient track? the top of the field  Estimate how narrow the bridge is - just (with the ancient name of Home Ground enough for a pack horse or single cart to but often known as Hilly Field) cross the River Frome? toward the very large house on the An old tale tells of Cavaliers and right which is Roundheads fighting here during the Civil War and how their ghosts can occasionally 3. Frampton Court. be heard on very dark nights. Barton is the old term to describe an area or barn where produce from the land was 3 Carry on up the lane. stored - such as barley, wheat and oats.  Can you spot a Harris – do you think the barn or farm was line of stones Harry’s or belonged to Mr Harris? School which was originally started in 1842 that made up  Look carefully at the old cottages here to in a room attached to St Peter’s Church. the old road find out how the whole village would surface? They  Can you see the date it was built here? have looked over 100 years ago. The are slabs placed outsides have not changed much. Look at It was called The National School because on their edge, the small windows, locally quarried stone, it was run by The National Society for the which is known as pitching. (Clue: they are clay roof tiles and chimneys for coal fires Education of the Poor in the Principles of This is probably the oldest house in near a crumbling old stone wall.) from the nearby coal mines. the Established Church. It closed in 1969 Frampton Cotterell that has been Further up the lane is when the present school was opened. continuously lived in. It was originally  Can you think of a nearby place with a name fortified and some parts were built in the 5. Harris Barton. that tells you coal was mined there?  Compare the height and type of windows 13th Century when the Lord of the Manor with today’s school. Are the walls thicker?  At the first building, can you find the old Perhaps you could try the Half Moon walk lived here. In the 16th century, it was home decorated stone gate posts that are typical or the longer coalmining walk with your  Can you detect how the old school was to the brother of Jane Seymour (Henry of many old houses in Frampton Cotterell? family. heated? VIII’s third wife). In 1538, King Henry visited Acton Court in Iron Acton. Could he have  What might have been lowered through the  Look for Hope Cottage that used to be a visited this place too? trap door at the far end of this building? public house called The Castle of Comfort. 60 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 61

Walk through Harris Barton and 7. Step House. 9  Can you detect when this gate was moved turn left along Park Lane to a larger here? Can you guess why? building which was originally the 7 Next to the churchyard there is a very 6. Hat Factory. old house For many years, people of Frampton 11. Number 4 Mill Lane. Cotterell worked in their own homes making felt and hats as well as other 11 things. This was called Cottage Industry. When the factory was built in 1823, people  Look at the stone carvings. Which ones do

Frampton Detectives Frampton came here to work together. This was you like? Why? Detectives Frampton called the Factory System. The factory This Georgian style house was built in 1733  What pictures can you see on the stained 7 closed in 1865 because workers were 7 for the Hall family who were hat makers. glass windows? unhappy with conditions and also hat fashions changed. Some families moved  Can you see its shell hood porch and its very Leave the church and turn right into to other hat factories in London and large windows? Mill Lane This house used to be The New Inn. In the Stockport to continue their trade. On one  Can you find where the date stamp is? (Clue:  Can you find where this photo was taken? late 18th and early 19th century it was side of the factory is the Manager’s house. look for a decorated rainwater drain pipe.) used by the Felt Makers’ Friendly Society 10. Village Pound gate and stone  Can you read its date stone? and also the Parish Vestry (now the Parish It is called Step House because it is a posts. Council).  Can you detect where an old door used to step higher above the river bank. From be? 1881 to about 1921, this was St Michael’s 10  Look at its path made of pitching stones Orphanage. (easier to see than the ones near  What is behind this building? Describe the Nightingale’s Bridge). windows. Continue to the end of Park Lane, following the pavement into Bridge  Find nearby Number 10. Can you detect Continue along Park Lane and cross Way; cross Meadow Mead to reach the the blocked up archway where a pony Rectory Road to arrive at and trap would have gone to reach the 8. Bridge in Church Road. 6 yard and stables at the back? This bridge replaced an old stone bridge in Further along Mill Lane look for the 1966, when the road was straightened and old widened. Cross the busy road at the traffic 12 island to walk up the path of 9. St Peter’s Church. Probably the third church on this site. It was rebuilt in 1857-8 and was designed by In the past, a village pound was where John Norton. Only the tower remains from stray animals were kept before their owners the older building. paid to have them back. This pound was originally in a field opposite the church  Can you find a date stamp? (Clue: where where there are now houses was the date of Step House?) 62 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks | 63

12. Mill. 13. F.H.Drew. Before the 1930s, the Mill was a very In the past, there were several other small important place and had been controlled workshops in Frampton Cotterell and by the Lord of the Manor. Long before surrounding villages including blacksmiths, 13 supermarkets and bread shops, the local carpenters, shoemakers, chair makers and 12 mill ground the farmers’ wheat into flour cabinetmakers - all these have now gone. for making bread. The miller also ground This steel workshop is the only one left. 11 other seed crops, such as barley and oats, Return back along Mill Lane and for the farmers’ animals. The mill was 10 re-cross Church Road at the traffic powered by the flow of the river turning 9 �� Frampton Detectives Frampton island. Follow the path beside house Detectives Frampton the waterwheel which then moved the mill No. 309 to Brookside Drive, at the far stones to grind the wheat. There used to be 7 end of which a path and steps lead to 1 8 7 many mills along the River Frome between Rectory Road. Turn right and walk up start Chipping Sodbury and Bristol. There were Rectory Road back to the school. five mills in Frampton Cotterell and Iron 2 7 Acton. (Alternatively, the Glebe field opposite the church leads to Rectory Road).  Are there any buildings in or near Frampton with “mill” as part of the name?  Find an old stone stile near here. 3 There are many stone stiles on footpaths 6 around Frampton Cotterell. Have you seen any others? 4 From here you can also see the steel business of 5

alternative grass route N diversion for buggies

 1 Frampton Cotterell.  5 Harris Barton  10 Village Pound gate & stone posts Church of England School  6 Hat Factory  11 Number 4 Mill Lane  2 Crossbow House  7 Step House  12 Mill  3 Frampton Court  8 Bridge in Church Road  13 F.H.Drew  4 Nightingale’s Bridge  9 St Peter’s Church Orchard in the Glebe 64 | Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath • Heritage Walks

Countryside Code

Advice for the public Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs Leave gates and property as you find them

Frampton Detectives Frampton Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home 7 Keep your dog under close control Consider other people

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P • a l i a il r r c c is n is n h Cou h Cou Frampton Cotterell & District Local History Society

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