Castle Wall, Watergate And Undercroft

The castle wall, watergate, and undercroft in Bridgwater date back to the 13th century. Constructed from red Wembdon sandstone rubble, with some blue lias limestone, the wall features rubblestone and Ham Hill stone in the arch. The brick vaults at the rear were likely added in the 18th century. The wall is approximately 3.5 meters thick at the base and over 6 meters high at the junction of West Quay and Chandos Street, rising even higher to the right where windows from the building behind are positioned above it. Near the north side of the watergate, there are two vaults that are about 2 meters high. Historically, the River Parrett flowed right up to this wall. The watergate, located about 30 meters to the south, is set back between Nos 11 and 12 West Quay. It features three segmental arches; the first has splayed outer jambs and an arch that has been partly rebuilt with 19th-century brick, while the inner arch is chamfered and the rear arch is rebated. There is a recess to the right between the two outer arches, possibly intended for a gatekeeper. Behind the wall, there is a barrel-vaulted, brick-lined undercroft from the 18th century that measures over 40 meters long and 10 meters wide, which was previously used as a bonded warehouse, giving rise to the name Bond Street. The rear wall of Nos 12-14 West Quay incorporates part of the castle wall.