Hotwells

Hotwells
The western part of Hotwells, with the bank of the River Avon and the A4 trunk road in the foreground and the higher houses of Clifton Village above. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is just visible on the left.
Hotwells  Hotwells shown within Bristol
Area	0.155 sq mi (0.40 km2)
Population	3,002 [1][2]
- Density	19,368 /sq mi (7,478 /km2)
OS grid reference	ST572727
Unitary authority	Bristol
Ceremonial county	Bristol
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BRISTOL
Postcode district	BS8
Dialling code	0117
Police	Avon and Somerset
Fire	Avon
Ambulance	Great Western
EU Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	Bristol West
List of places UK England Bristol

Hotwells is a district of the English port city of Bristol. It is located to the south of and below the high ground of Clifton, and directly to the north of the Floating Harbour. The southern entrance to the Avon Gorge, which connects those docks to the sea, lies at the western end of Hotwells. The eastern end of the area is at the roundabout where Jacobs Well Road meets Hotwell Road. Hotwells forms part of the city ward of Clifton.^[3]

Location

Hotwells is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Bristol city centre lying just north of the Floating Harbour and the river Avon. To the north and some 300 feet (91 m) higher is the suburb of Clifton. Much of the present built up area was originally a salt marsh known as Rownham Mead. Nearly half of Rownham Mead was excavated in the early 19th century to construct the Cumberland Basin, which forms part of the entrance lock system of the city docks. The west of the area marks the beginning of the Portway road which connects Bristol to Avonmouth, passing under the Clifton Suspension Bridge which lies about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) north of Hotwells.

History

Hotwells takes its name from the hot springs which bubble up through the rocks of the Avon Gorge underneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The springs were first documented in 1480 by William Worcester, the 15th century chronicler and antiquary. He described the waters as being milky and as warm as those at Bath.^[4][5] In 1692 the Society of Merchant Venturers leased the springs and a pump room was built. The pump room of 1696 was demolished and replaced by Hotwells House in 1816. The later building was itself demolished when the river was widened in 1867.^[6] In the Georgian era, Hotwells was developed as a spa in an attempt to compete with Bath, which included the building of Dowry Square. Many visitors came, including the diarist John Evelyn and the travel writer Celia Fiennes, who hunted for Bristol Diamonds in the gorge. The Jacobs Well Theatre, built in 1729, provided entertainment for visitors and Bristolians. Despite this, Hotwells never attained the same status as Bath, and eventually the waters were found to be polluted. A new pump room was built in 1822, but eventually demolished in 1867 to allow for widening of the river Avon.^[4]

In 1799, the physician Thomas Beddoes opened the Pneumatic Institution in Dowry Square in Hotwells. Free treatment was advertised for those suffering from consumption, asthma, dropsy, "obstinate Venereal Complaints" and scrophula. The laboratory superintendent was Humphry Davy, who investigated nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, using equipment designed by James Watt. Under Davy's supervision laughing gas parties were held, attended by guests such as Robert Southey, Thomas Wedgwood and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.^[7]

In the 20th century much of the housing in Hotwells was in a poor state of repair, but since the 1970s there has been refurbishment of the older Georgian properties and new build of housing on derelict dockside wharves and gaps along the Hotwell Road.

Architecture

Grenville Chapel, a Methodist church, was opened in 1839 in a rather elaborate Early English Style building. For many years it was used as a garage and is now housing association managed flats.

Hotwells includes several of Bristol's Grade II* listed buildings, including the Church of Holy Trinity, designed by Cockrell, and the whole of Albemarle Row, a Georgian terrace. Also listed is the Pump House, formerly the power plant for Bristol Harbour's bridges and other machinery, now a pub.

Cultural references

Hotwells features in two 18th century novels. The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, by Tobias Smollett has scenes set at the spa.^[8] Fanny Burney's Evelina is partly set in Hotwells, as the eponymous heroine visits Bristol during its spa-town years.^[9]

Demographics

The 2001 UK Census recorded Hotwells as two Super Output Area Lower Layers, 034A, the western part of Hotwells^[10] and 034C in the east. The latter layer included parts of Cliftonwood.^[1] The figures recorded in the two areas were broadly similar with 034A recording a population of 1,485, with about 58% being described as economically active, 17% students and 7% retired. 42% of homes were owner occupied. 50% of residents had university degrees or equivalent. 50% described themselves as Christian and 44% as having no religion.^[2] In 034C the figures were a population of 1,522 with about 66% being described as economically active, 12% students and 6.5% retired. 65% of homes were owner occupied. 55% of residents had university degrees or equivalent. 50% described themselves as Christian and 46% as having no religion.^[11] 1,438 persons in 034A were described as white, with 28 of mixed race, 19 Asian, 17 black and 18 Chinese.^[12] In 034C 1,374 were described as white, 33 of mixed race, 24 Asian, 24 black and 29 Chinese.^[13]

Education

The area is served by two schools, Hotwells Primary School^[14] and St George C of E Primary School.^[15] The latter has been under threat of closure by Bristol City Council,^[16] but is now to be re-evaluated in 2013.^[17] The nearest secondary schools are Ashton Park School, Cotham School and Bristol Cathedral Choir School.^[18]

Transport

Crossing the Avon to Hotwells in 1797, by John Hassell

Hotwells has long had an important part to play in Bristol's transport infrastructure. Towards the end of the 19th century, the western end of the district was the location of a terminus of a Bristol Tramways route, Hotwells railway station was the city terminus of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier line to Avonmouth, the lower terminus of the Clifton Rocks Railway, the Rownham Ferry which crossed the Avon to Bower Ashton, the locks giving access to the Floating Harbour, and the landing stages used by passenger steamers. In the 1920s, the A4 Portway road was driven through the Avon Gorge to provide better access from the city to Avonmouth Docks, in the process removing all signs of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier's station. Since the 1960s, the western end of Hotwells has been dominated by a flyover complex, which enables traffic from the city centre and the A4 Portway to cross the river and harbour entrance locks to access the south west side of the city.^[19]

Public transport links include buses serving Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Portishead which pass through the area.^[20] There is also a ferry service to the city centre and Temple Meads railway station.^[21][22]

Politics

Hotwells is part of the Bristol City Council ward of Clifton^[23] and has been represented by two Liberal Democrat members since 1995.^[24] The Parliamentary constituency is Bristol West, the MP since 2005 is Stephen Williams of the Liberal Democrats.^[25] Hotwells is represented in the European Parliament by the six MEPs of the South West England constituency.^[26]

Community

Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association (HCCA),^[27] is a registered charity run by local volunteers which exists to improve the quality of life for those who live and work locally. For many years HCCA ran the Hope Centre, based in the listed Georgian Hope Chapel, which provided a base for community groups and offered a programme of arts events. The Hope Centre closed in 2001 following a loss of funding and the lease was surrendered to the owners, the Congregational Federation.^[28]

References

External links

• Local organisations listed at HCCA
• Map of Hotwells circa 1900