Monument record MDO20124 - Fullbrooks, 80 North Allington, Bridport

The site of a former rope and canvas works, used from about the early 19th century until 1922. The warehouse at 80 North Allington still survives, but the remainder of the site has been redeveloped as a housing estate.

This site was used by at least four of Bridport’s textile manufacturers. William Fowler and William Good, a shipbuilder, had a rope walk here (1). James Edwards, manufacturer of cordage, netting, sacks and canvas was a tenant here: The 1840 Allington Tithe map lists William Fowler as landowner and James Edwards as occupier and the property is described as ‘House, Garden, Warehouses & Fulbrooks Mead’ (2). James Edwards was listed in the trade directories as in Allington in 1840 and 1852/3 (3). In 1854, the site was taken over by Richard Tucker and Sons, manufacturers of twine, line, nets and sailcloth (4). Tuckers were taken over by Richard Hayward and Sons in 1897, who were, in turn, incorporated into Hounsells (Bridport) Ltd in 1916, who used the works until 1922 (4).

In 1898, 80 North Allington was described as a shed and rope walk used for the preparation and manufacturing of twine and the equipment included a large iron furnace, two tar furnaces, twelve large posts and two large posts to a windlass at the bottom of the shed. In 1899 Fulbrooks was described as a warehouse with braiding shops, weighing and bolling house, flax stores and tanhouse with the right to the use of the adjoining field for spreading, straining and drying nets and lines. (1)

The 1888 Ordnance Survey map shows the site in some detail. There is a large warehouse in the southwest corner of the site, with another building to the north. In the northwest corner is a complex of structures with further buildings along the northern edge of the site adjacent to Fulbrooks Lane. A sawpit is also shown in this part of the site. Most of the area is occupied by a meadow. Three posts are marked near the northern edge of this meadow (5)

The 1902 Ordnance Survey 25-inch map shows a similar layout, but with some changes to the structures along Fulbrooks Lane, with several new buildings and several other structures demolished. A flagstaff was erected in the northwest part of the site (6).

The warehouse at 80 North Allington still survives, but the remainder of the site has been redeveloped as a housing estate.

Ordnance Survey, 1929, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.6 (Map). SDO10527.

<1> Bone, M R, 1985, 'The Bridport Flax and Hemp Industry' Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society Journal, 29 (Article in serial). SWX1452.

<2> Martin, J, 1840, Map of the Parish of Allington in the County of Dorset, plots 107 & 108 (Map). SDO10508.

<3> Bone, M R, 1981, 'Bridport Textile Industry 1814-1945' Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, 148 (Article in serial). SDO10528.

<4> Sims, R, 2006, The Rope, Net and Twine Industry of Bridport. 2) Factory Mills (Monograph). SDO10541.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1888, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.6.21 (Map). SDO10549.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1902, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.6, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.6 Surveyed 1886-7. Revised 1901. Published 1902. (Map). SDO10526.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:18AM