Research Forum

10 Beach Road, Weston-super-Mare
published by on Thu, 24/03/2016 - 8:53

I have an ancestor, Caroline Allen, described as a lodging house keeper at 10 Beach Road, Weston-super-Mare. She lived at this address for over 30 years and was recorded in the censuses between 1871 and 1901. I see on the web that 10 Beach Road is now a cafe and I would like to know whether this is the original building of the 19th century, or if it was re-built at some stage during the last century.

Does any member living in the town know the history of this section of Beach Road?

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Thu, 24/03/2016 - 11:34

She was still living there in 1911 - see 1911 census. Some streets were renumbered in 1908/09 but it doesn't look as if Beach Road was - probably because it only has buildings on one side.

The Somerset Heritage Centre has records of planning permission granted in Weston and if you look at their online catalogue (which has very recently changed) you will see this entry for Cromwell House, Beach Road (which was the name given to No 10 Beach Road in later street directories) for a T ALLEN, presumably Caroline's husband, for some alterations planned in 1903.

Interestingly in a Street Directory for 1923 a Mrs ALLEN is listed as the occupier of Cromwell House, 10, Beach Road. Is this still Caroline?

Some photographs of that section Beach Road in the 1920s or 30s might help you - This much later photograph shows Bakers Coaches using the same site and obviously rebuilt.

Submitted by on Thu, 24/03/2016 - 16:23

Thank you very much for this information, Pat. Yes, Caroline was still occupier of Cromwell House in 1923. She died in 1932 and was still resident there at her death. Interesting to see the photograph of 10 Beach Road when Bakers Coaches were operating from that address - and very different again today. I will look out for some old photos of Beach Road from the early 20th century - I guess it might have been shown on early postcards.

Submitted by Bill Caple on Mon, 28/03/2016 - 11:24

10 Beach Road (Cromwell House) was demolished in the late 1930s and then used by Bakers Coaches.

Submitted by on Wed, 30/03/2016 - 10:37

Thank you, Bill, for this information. Do you happen to know whether No.10 was a detached property or part of a block in Beach Road that was re-developed at this time?