Listed Building record MWX209 - The Old Linen Mill, 9 North Allington, Bridport

A mid-19th century three storey former warehouse in rubble stone, attached to the rear of Laurel House, 5 North Allington. It has central taking-in doors with a hoist beam. It formed part of Robert Hounsell & Sons line, twine, net and canvas manufactory at from at least 1855 until about 1935.

The site comprises an 18th century house fronting the road with a 3 storey, 3 bay net loft, in rubble stone, attached to the rear. Colourwashed brick. Pitched slate roof. Coped gables. Red brick stacks. 2 storeys. 3 ranges of modern casements. Doorway with reeded surrounds and modern hood. The net loft was built in several phases and was possibly rebuilt, raised and extended in brick, this extension is now part demolished. There are central taking-in doors with a hoist beam and the small square windows, with hinged casements, are probably of early 19th century date. There is a former through-passage to the west end of the net loft. The association with textiles is not certain. <1>

At the time of the 1840 Allington Tithe Map, the site was owned and occupied by James Gould and was described as 'Houses, Bakehouse & Garden'. The Tithe map shows a building behind Laurel House, but this was not the present warehouse, but another building set just to the south and west of it. <2>

The warehouse formed part of Robert Hounsell & Sons premises at from at least 1855 until about 1935 <3>.

Robert Hounsell & Sons are advertised in the Trade Directories as manufacturing line, twine, shoe thread, fishing nets, canvas, and later, sporting nets in North Allington from 1885 to 1935 <4>. The Hounsells lived at Laurel House.

<1> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/063 South West Textile Mills Project (Unpublished document). SDO17323.

<2> Martin, J, 1840, Map of the Parish of Allington in the County of Dorset, plot No. 53 (Map). SDO10508.

<3> Martin, C, 2003, The Bridport Trade. Rope & Net : Hemp & Flax, 34 (Monograph). SDO10501.

<4> Bone, M R, 1981, 'Bridport Textile Industry 1814-1945' Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, 150 (Article in serial). SDO10528.

<5> Historic England, Historic England Archive, 2K/04665 (Index). SDO14738.

BLAKEY AND GRIFFIN LTD. 5-7 North Allington, with Blakey and Griffin Ltd at no.7

<6> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BF111624 (Index). SDO14738.

South West Textile Mills Project

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1305423 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 19 2022 4:27PM