18th Century

By the end of the eighteenth century, horse racing was one of the most popular forms of entertainment.  The course was on Chilton Common, which was actually across the river from Chilton Trinity, reflecting how the River Parrett had changed its course.  R...

Until the railway arrived in Bridgwater in 1841, the only way to travel, other than by the river, was to walk, ride or take a horse-drawn carriage. The eighteenth century was the age of coach travel and with it all the coaching inns which served those...

Possibly one of the finest Georgian streets outside of Bath, Bridgwater’s Castle Street was built between 1720 and 1723 on the instruction of the Duke of Chandos, one of the world’s wealthiest men, arguably wealthier at the time than the king himself.  The ...

With the increase in travel, there was a need for the relatively narrow stone-built town bridge to be replaced with one more suited to stage coaches rather than pack horses.  In addition, the three stone arches acted as a barrier, holding back the water ...