SOMERSET. Lock-ups at Batheaston, Misterton and Freshford.

 

The old lock-up at Batheaston near Bath  is of similar shape to the one at Castle Cary

albeit more squat and is situated in a more remote position at the end of Seven Acres Lane, BA1 8EL. The date is not known.

The roof has been damaged by someone breaking a hole to insert some sort of flue pipe.

Possibly now in private ownership.



 

BATHEASTON

 

Photo by Colin Sinnott with expressed permission

 

I am particularly indebted to Colin for providing so many photographs of lock-ups in

the West Country and indeed elsewhere.

 

 

 

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In complete contrast, the former lock-up at Misterton in South Somerset is of completely different design and seems to be in use as a farm building.

 

 

 

MISTERTON

 

Photo courtesy of Maureen Albert with expressed permission

 

 

This lock-up, which is PRIVATE PROPERTY, is situated alongside the A356 approaching Misterton from South Perott, in a field next to the cemetery, just after the crossroads (A3066) at the Misterton village sign. The date is not known.

The following article by Maureen Albert, together with the above photograph, appeared in Misterton Village Magazine

in December 2012 :

" A typical outbuilding with an interesting history, this was at one time the Misterton Village Lock-up, providing space for local drunks to sober up, and perhaps restrain worse offenders. More recently its human habitation has been limited to the occasional tramp, but it has served as both hen house and pig pen. It can be found on the opposite side of a hedge to the cemetery, in the field, near the road (A356) at grid reference 481 079 (Ord Survey Sheet 193, Taunton and Lyme Regis)."

I am grateful to Maureen Albert for allowing me to copy her article and photograph.

 

 

PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY

 

 

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Fairly similar in design to Misterton, the lock-up at Freshford,  near Bath, is situated in Church Hill, BA6 6BX just below the church.  In many villages the lock-up was situated near to the church or the market place, and indeed often adjacent to a pub.
This lock-up dates to the late 18th century and was later used to house the village fire engine.

 

 

 

 

 

FRESHFORD

OS Grid Reference: ST7895160149
OS Grid Coordinates: 378951, 160149
Latitude/Longitude: 51.3400, -2.3036
 

Photo by Colin Sinnott with expressed permission.

 

 

It was Grade 11 listed 19.10.1983 (No.32281) and described as :

 

Lock-up, fire engine house, now store. Late C18th. Built into wall of Church Hill. Rubble;

lean-to tiled roof. Plank door with strap hinges and small cast iron grille window.

Parish records describe the building as a fire-engine house in 1815.

Listing NGR: ST7895160149

 Source: English Heritage.

Listed building text is © Crown Copyright. Reproduced under licence.

 

 

Often this type of lock-up was little used and eventually became  store rooms and the like. In many cases these tiny buildings were used to house the burgeoning fire appliances, as it was in this case.

 

 

 

 

 

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