The Manor House and Gardens (See Heritage Trail point 16) were originally built and laid out by George Reed.

The map below (1844 – 88 O.S. MAP) shows the property at the time of the Reed family occupancy (304).

The extent of the glasshouses in which George Reed grew his prize orchids, amongst other things, can clearly be seen in cross-hatched blue.

A town plan of 1852 actually gives detail of the layout of Reed’s garden (though unfortunately rather faint) as shown in the ‘enhanced’ picture below. The stable and glasshouses can be seen at left.

The Bridgwater mercury reported in 1859:

 

THE BODGERS

The Bodgers were a famous English family of seed growers who eventually emigrated to the U.S. and founded ‘John Bodger and Son’ Seed Company of California, which grew into one of the largest flower seed suppliers in the States. Before John and his son emigrated they were employed as gardeners at the Manor. This was after George Reed’s time. During the 1890’s they had a shop in College St. In Whitby’s Trade DIrectory of Bridgwater 1893,  John Bodger is shown as the secretary of the local Oddfellows group (Manchester Unity) based in Victoria St.

Local Press report 1909:

 

OPENING TO PUBLIC 1905

The Ward Lock Guide to Weston-super-mare from around 1915 tells us that the property was acquired by the local authorities in 1903 and that the Manor House had been converted into a cafe.

Here is a brief report of the first season from a local press retrospective on 1905:

Map below is from o.s. 1921-43 and shows changes made for the public gardens including new west entrance , bandstand and paths.

 

Judging by the costumes the photo above was probably taken not long after the opening to the public. Some of the glasshouses remain. The shelter, which many will remember, can also be seen in the background. The bandstand has since been replaced.

Above: early coloured card in which Brunswick Terrace (303 on O.S. map above) can be seen in background. This terrace was constructed sometime during the early part of the 19th century by John Adams next to Brunswick Cottage (305), which stood on the site of the later open air theatre (see below). It was initially known as Brunswick Place.

The  location of the above photo is something of a mystery. One theory is that it may have been reversed (i.e. benches really to the right) and that it could have been along the western boundary of the gardens behind Brunswick Terrace, before the new shelter was built. The photo below shows a later view of that area. However although the arrangement of benches and stone walls is similar, the position of the old trees relative to walls & benches does not seem right.  Alternatively the mystery picture could have been the south end of that path, running towards a dead end at Manor Road, opposite the Church Hall,  before that road was widened. In either case it was possibly the remains of the drive from Manor Road to what may have been the Manor stables / coach house (see top map).

 

Some parts of the gardens were  quite woody as can be seen from the photo at the top of the page, which is of the entrance opposite the Church (photo below). This entrance was not original but presumably created for the public opening. Unfortunately the ornate entryway is long gone.

Above: house decorated for the coronation of Edward VII.

PERFORMANCES

At one time an open air theatre existed,  on the site of the old Brunswick Cottage at the back of Brunswick Terrace, with seating on what is now the vet’s car park. Various performances were put on here during the summer seasons. The stage building was eventually developed to become the tourist information centre for a period and is  now a veterinary surgery. (see also ‘Crosses Pen‘)

 

Above article from Burnham Gazette 22nd August 1914.

On the above postcard people can be seen dancing so it is likely that a band concert was underway.

Above notice from Burnham Gazette 22nd August 1914.