Was there really a pub in the centre of Bawdrip?
From research by David Bown – railway historian
Evidence unearthed by David Bown certainly points to the fact that there once was a drinking house there.
David has been researching the Bridgwater railway which used to run through Bawdrip and on to the Poldens for many years and recently has discovered something quite new from the maps and records relating to the original applications to build the railway.
His research reveals that the process to get the application right took a long time and three different maps were submitted at each stage of that process.
We show just one of them here which clearly shows property 50 which in the itemised list of properties below the map is clearly marked as a public house known as ‘The New Inn”.
BUT no public house was mentioned on census records (1851, 1861, 1871) and none was mentioned on the other maps.
So, was it ever there? Was it short lived?
Was it one of those places the villagers knew about but least said? ‘We will probably never know.
Research by Suzie Scudamore and John Jenkins and recorded on the website certainly, suggest there was a drinking house there:
1841 John Brice is listed as the lessee; Jon Fry the owner. John Fry also owned title now extinct farm buildings behind the farmhouse which may indicate that they also belonged to Church Farm. There is no mention of any occupant.
1851 census shows John Fry, who had been at Court Farm previously, now a widower aged 63, with his daughters Marv 27, Maria 20 and John 17. ·
1861 census unlisted, but locals say that it was a cider house in the 1860s.
David Bown in the meantime is working on his latest book about the Bridgwater Railway, so if you want to see this story unfolded in greater detail that’s the place to look. You will find details about that and all the other books he has written on local history at
David would be thrilled to hear from anyone who remembers stories from the time the train trundled through our locality.
1865/6 Railway Map and book of reference details, first date of publication, 14 Nov 1865. From Bridgwater Railway Plans and Landownership Records