IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
College Road, BRISTOL, BS9 3EJ

Viewed across College Road. A National Trust information plaque on the wall records that Westbury College was originally an imposing structure around a quadrangle, with towers, turrets and battlements. The college was built 1459-1469 as a residence for the dean and canons of Westbury Church by John Carpenter, bishop of Worcester and Westbury. In 1544 on the dissolution of religious houses, it was converted to a private dwelling. In 1643 it was set of fire by Prince Rupert to prevent its occupation by the Parliamentary forces. Only the gatehouse, two round towers and the boundary walls of the River Trym now remain. By 1771 the Georgian house was built on part of the site. The whole property was purchased by subscription in 1894 and vested in The National Trust in 1907.

The Trym flows along the edge of Trym Road.

Seen from the churchyard of the Parish Church

Westbury College was originally set up to house a body of priests who served the then collegiate Holy Trinity Church nearby. The college was built in the mid 15th century by John Carpenter, a local lad who rose to become Bishop of Worcester, and who planned to establish a new cathedral in Westbury near to the commercial centre of his diocese - Bristol. He styled himself Bishop of Worcester and Westbury! Had he lived rather longer, Westbury might now boast a great perpendicular gothic cathedral! William Canynge, the famous Bristol merchant and funder of the building of St Mary Redcliffe, was Dean here after his wife died and he joined the priesthood.

This house at the top of Church Road dates from the 15th century and is presently used a religious study centre and house of prayer.

The Villager in Church Road occupies two converted early 19th century cottages. The property has had various commercial uses. For example, in 1861 it was a bakery and a beerhouse named The Adelaide. C1900 a small extension was added to the property with a shop front and it became a grocery shop. Later a café, in 1973 it became The Gramophone Record selling a wide range of specialist classical records and sheet music. In 1983, the original Villager was established. The business included a herb, spices and wholefood retail area and a tea room. In 1986, the business became a fully licensed restaurant, which it remains today.

An ancient house it is now a place of Christian prayer and reflection.

Located in the NW corner of the churchyard.

Thought to have been built in around 1445, this was a large one-room 'hall house' that had no chimneys or intervening flooring. Over the years it had several alterations and additions but retains much of its original features and charm. Dr. Elsie Briggs of Bristol University was a popular occupant from 1958 whilst uncovering the treasures of the house. Following her death in 1988, she bequeathed it to the church authorities for prayer.