Falcon Terrace

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Falcon Terrace | Audio

The impressive Falcon Terrace, comprising eight dwellings and pub from a mixture of Bath and Swindon stone, dates from 1848.

It was built by the Wilts and Berks Canal Company on their land, in order to house GWR workers and their families.

It had at its centre the pedimented pub, with square bow windows, flanking the entrance at street level.

Credit: Above is an extract from book "Last Orders" by John Stooke:

Artesian Well | Audio

In 1816 digging an Artesian well started, but no water came to the surface, so the canal company consulted William Smith the father of "english" geology, they continued and discovered water at 267 ft but the water didn't flow, so in 1818 they installed a steam engine, which sucked the well dry in 2 hours, the well would take 3 days to refill. In 1820 the experiment was abandoned.

Joseph Hewer - Carrier | Audio

Joseph Hewer was born in 1857 and was a 3rd generation boatman, his father was based at Cricklade wharf on the Thames & Severn canal for 20 years.

In 1897 he moved to Westcott place and owned four boats, carrying goods between Swindon & Bristol.

When in 1901 the canal become unnavigable between the Stanley Aqueduct and Semington, he downsized to one boat called Staunch and worked it on the Thames & Severn and Midlands canals.