Monument record MWX224 - Spar Acre Net and Twine Works,Bedford Place, Bridport

Spar Acre net and twine works were owned and occupied by H E Hounsell from their construction in the early 1860s to their demolition after 1914. The works comprised an number of covered walks, and other buildings.

Spar Acre rope works were built in the early 1860s by H E Hounsell to the north of Bedford Place, Bridport. The works comprised a number of spinning ways and line walks and a steam engine was installed soon after. Following the formation of Hounsell’s (Bridport) Ltd in 1914, the works were demolished and the land sold <1>.

A valuation of 1882 includes “store shed, 2 counting shops, coal store, office, chimney stack about 30ft high, drying room, 5 stores, work shop, topping rooms, 4 covered line walks principally tiled (2 walks 130 yards long each and 2 ditto 100 yds each), boiler, engine house (10 horse power engine & boiler), winding shop, store for sundries etc.” <2>

The 1888 Ordnance Survey map shows the details of the works with two parallel covered walks and a series of ancillary buildings behind and another series of buildings near the front of the site. The works were approached through a gate from Bedford Place. Between the two covered walks is an open space with trees marked ‘Rope walk’. <3>

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

<2> 1882, Particulars & Valuation of certain Manufacturing Properties and Business Premises, Houses etc, known as "The Pelican Twine and Net Works," Bridport, Dorset (Unpublished document). SDO10543.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Various, Ordnance Survey Map, Dorset Sheets, 1888 OS map, Dorset Sheet 38.10.2 (Map). SWX1299.

<4> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/063 South West Textile Mills Project (Unpublished document). SDO17323.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1305681 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 19 2022 7:15PM