Bristol Brewery, Counterslip, Bristol
ST 5922 7294; (E. Wragg, J. Dixon); evaluation and historic building survey; 4 May - 27 July 2004; HDG Mansur; BRSMG 2004/26
Natural estuarine alluvium was recorded between 6.95m OD and 5.30m OD.
In places the natural alluvium was overlain by similar deposits with a noticeable organic content which were interpreted as a marshy channel subject to frequent tidal action. A large, possibly defensive, medieval ditch with a narrower re-cut was recorded in the west of the site. This was sealed by redeposited alluvium containing 12th/13th century pottery, dumped to reclaim this marshy land. A stone culvert, the Law Ditch, then replaced the ditch while a series of stone and/or timber structures were constructed within a typical medieval framework of long narrow burgage plots fronting onto the medieval St Thomas Street and Temple Street. Further medieval structural evidence was found further to the east in a plot possibly fronting onto the medieval Counterslip. There was some evidence of a possible decline in activity in the 14th century or change of land use in the western plots,
while to the east more intensive activity appears to have continued. During the 17th/18th century further stone structures were constructed, while there was evidence of further land reclamation. During the 18th/19th century a new sequence of stone and brick structures was built, some of which related to either the brewery or sugar refineries known to have existed here. The Historic Building Survey, the first phase of three, produced a fabric analysis of all of the surviving standing buildings. In addition to this, important historic structures were recorded, resulting in the production of a number of plans, building sections and elevations relating to the pre-brewery use of the site from the late-eighteenth century. Of particular interest were structural elements relating to the use of the site as a sugar-refinery during the nineteenth century. Alongside the recording, an oral history
programme was carried out to enhance understanding of the use of the site by a series of brewing companies.
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