Monument record MWX195 - Rendall and Coombs Ropeworks, 51 West Allington, Bridport

Rendall and Coombs had their ropeworks here from 1858 until 1969. The original open walks were first covered in 1858 and the gradually developed over the late 19th and early 20th century to include at least four covered walks an a number of ancillary buildings. They were the last rope works in operation in Bridport, the last rope being made in 1969. The site has been developed as a housing estate and almost nothing survives of the rope works other than the west side brick wall.

Rendall and Coombs, originally at 13 West Allington took over the property at 51 West Allington in 1858 for line and twine walks. The open walks were replaced by covered line walks in 1893. In 1933, Henry Rendall introduced the mechanised line walk here. (1)

The ropewalks continued in use until 1969. They were the last rope works in Bridport, the last rope being made in 1969 (2).

The Ordnance Survey maps show the development of this site. The 1888 1:500 map and 1890 25-inch map shows a long covered ropewalk building (probably covering several walks) along the western edge of the site stretching the whole length of the plot down to the edge of the river. The northern part of this walk was narrower and there appear to be a number of open walks adjacent. (3) (4)

By 1902, the covered ropewalk had been extended to the east at its northern end and several other buildings constructed to the east (5). The 1930 Ordnance Survey map shows there had been considerable development of the site during the early 20th century with at least two further covered ropewalks built, together with several other buildings, which now cover almost all of the site (6).

The site has been developed as a housing estate and almost nothing survives of the rope works other than the west side brick wall, which has pilasters to the inside (east) face and extends up to the houses to the north. The site has mostly been demolished, but the west side brick wall of the ropewalk is intact. The wall has pilasters to the inside (east) face and extends up to houses to the north. These houses (numbers 43 -57 West Allington) are of mid- to late 19th century date, and are of two-storeys with a deep double-pile plan. The late 19th century sheds in the gardens are possibly related to ropewalk. <7>

<1> Sims, R, 2006, The Rope, Net and Twine Industry of Bridport. 2) Factory Mills (Monograph). SDO10541.

<2> Sanctuary, A C, 1969, The Development of the Bridport Rope, Twine and net industry, 14 (Monograph). SDO10556.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1888, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.9.5 (Map). SDO10552.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1890, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.9 (Map). SDO10521.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1902, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.9 (Map). SDO10522.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1930, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.9 (Map). SDO10557.

<7> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/063 South West Textile Mills Project (Unpublished document). SDO17323.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1305395 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 19 2022 3:46PM