The Nailsea Glassworks, North Somerset

The Nailsea Glassworks, 1788-1874, was in its time regarded as one of the most significant glassworks in the UK. The site then went through a long period of dereliction and piecemeal redevelopment. Informal archaeology started in 1975, becoming serious from 1983 onwards in response to various development proposals. Ultimately that by Tesco Stores, Limited, who have generously sponsored this Study by Avon Archaeological Unit, came to fruition. Andrew Young, head of the Unit asked the present writer to undertake the project. The remainder of the site has now been scheduled. The Study is in five principal parts (including the Introduction) and it is intended that, while making up a cohesive whole, each may be considered in its own right. The Introduction covers some general points not specifically addressed in the subsequent parts. Part 1 is a Desk-top Study. Briefly, for those not familiar with the term, it consists of examining historical records, considering the landscape in which the site is set and any known or inferred archaeology in the vicinity. This should result in a document that will focus the attention of the responsible parties involved in order to establish what, if any, archaeological intervention is desirable, and, if it is judged necessary, its extent. It forms a useful background to the remaining parts. It is disturbing that it had not been required very much earlier. Part 2 examines the archaeological interventions chronologically. In order to add value, admittedly with the benefit of hindsight, this has been done critically, as certain errors were detected. It was felt that these should be commented on in order that the evidence might hopefully be more meaningful overall. Part 3 looks at the technology, starting with a brief look at the history of glass, gradually narrowing the focus down with time, finally considering what was done, as far as is known or can be extrapolated, at Nailsea itself