Henbury Old and New

Further Info

This story was made on a four and a half day training workshop for library staff in Bristol. It was the first Bristol Stories workshop to use entirely Windows software.

It was led by Paul Matson, Sarwat Siddiqui and Paddy Uglow and was supported by Bristol’s Museums, Galleries & Archives.

Transcript

When I moved to Henbury in 1994 I didn’t realise what was on my doorstep. I knew that there were local shops, a library, swimming pool and good bus links to the centre and that Blaise Castle Estate wasn’t very far away. I was surprised to learn that as recently as 1947 Henbury was a small village surrounded by farms and fields before it was developed into the suburb of Bristol it is today.

Join me on my journey in search of Henbury’s past.

Just a short walk from my house is the Old Crow. A pub has probably stood on this site since the late the sixteenth century when it served as a coaching stop for travellers on the Bristol to Chester road passing nearby.

I head down Crow Lane, previously a country lane with high hedges on either side now with library, shops and council flats. The only reminder of its earlier past being the farmhouse belonging to Westmoreland farm which stands at the end of the lane.

Crossing the ford I leave behind the modern Henbury and enter the old Henbury Village. The road leads me up to Henbury Church and into the churchyard. There I pass the tombs of Amelia Edwards an Egyptologist and Victorian novelist and Scipio Africanus a Negro servant. His master the Earl of Suffolk lived in the Great House demolished long ago.

I head on to Blaise and its mansion built for a rich banker, John Scandrett Harford in 1795. Humphrey Repton designed its long carriage drive leading from the gatehouse on Henbury Hill through the woods, complete with Woodman’s cottage, varying views and descent into the gorge as a dramatic approach to the house for visitors, which can still be enjoyed today.

My favourite place of all is picturesque and tranquil Blaise Hamlet designed by John Nash for workers from Blaise estate. Each of the 10 cottages has some unique features and is located around a miniature village green complete with pump and sun dial. The hamlet was linked to the mansion by a tunnel. Alas it is no longer there so I wend my way back along the road to reality and the hustle and bustle of the new Estate café for a welcome cup of tea and cake.

Credits

All media not otherwise credited created by the story author, or permission obtained, used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 licence.

Traffic sounds created by Giddytipper, Freesound, used under Creative Commons Sampling Plus 1.0 licence.

Woodland birds created by Acclivity, Freesound, used under Creative Commons Sampling Plus 1.0 licence.