Eighteenth Century Watergate At St532 758

ST 57 NW 121/2/10011

EASTON IN GORDANO HAM GREEN

Eighteenth Century Watergate at ST 532 758

II

Watergate. Mid C18, built for the Meyler-Bright family who owned Ham Green House immediately to the south. Coursed and roughly-dressed lias with ashlar dressings, now painted. Designed in a Picturesque style, with classical details to an overall Gothick structure. The watergate has its front facing the Avon, segmental on plan and terminated by circular-plan "drums" or low turrets which are all linked by a plat band set beneath the parapet. Rusticated surrounds to central semicircular arched doorway and outer segmental-arched doorways; the central doorway is flanked by carved stone figures depicting Adam and Eve and the outer doorways adjoin the outer turrets. The building was fronted by a landing platform, now obscured by later silting etc. The archways led into paths behind, taking the visitor into the gardens of Ham Green House. Larger ships were moored at Hung Road and their cargoes taken by barge to Bristol docks: this is documented from 1611, and in the 18th century it is said that the captains of ships owned by the Meyler-Brights would have disembarked at the watergate in order to discuss business at Ham Green House. This is of historical importance both for its interest within the context of Bristol's commercial development and as a highly unusual example of an estate building of this period. It is shown in a drawing of 1788.

Listing NGR: ST5326675874