Bridgeland Street Open Day
4A Bridgeland Street, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2PS
Thursday 17 September Bridgeland Street Open Day
When visiting in 1742 Daniel Defoe (author of Robinson Crusoe) described Bridgeland Street as: “a spacious, broad, well-built street inhabited with wealthy merchants who trade to most parts of the trading world.”
Bideford Bridge Trust Offices, 4 Bridgeland Street, is the starting point for your visit with exhibits about the history of this street. Built on Bridge Trust land this is a remarkable example of 17th century urban development. Described by English Heritage as having ‘some of the best merchants’ houses of the period anywhere in England’, it boasts 25 listed buildings.
Bideford Bridge Trust Offices open 1000-1500 with building histories, maps, architectural drawings as well as demonstrations of restoration of windows and mouldings. The trust is a significant property owner in Bideford and as a charity helps with annual grants to many Bideford based organisations and individuals.
How has it changed? Walk along Bridgeland Street and look out for information panels on selected properties and with help of pictures, rental records and census information, learn about their history and the people who lived and worked here.
Some properties that will be open include: Bridge Trust Offices, Pannier Pantry with exhibition, Lavington Church, Reds Rowing Club on Quay, and shops and pubs along Bridgeland Street usually open to the public. Other properties that may not be open will have information boards outside.
4A Bridgeland Street, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2PS
Bridge Trust Offices - Stairs to first floor. No Lift
Parking available in car parks in Bideford. Limited parking on Bridgeland Street. There are shops, cafes and pubs along Bridgeland Street and in adjacent streets - The Quay, Mill Street, Cooper Street