Chandos Glass Cone, at the junction of Northgate and Valetta Place

The Chandos Glass Cone stands at the junction of Northgate and Valetta Place and shows the remains of a manufacturing facility that once produced glass. The preserved base gives a sense of the size of such industrial plants that operated across Somerset in the Georgian period.

The facility was founded in 1725 and initially produced glass before later turning to pottery manufacturing. This shift reflected the changing economic conditions and market demands that shaped factories in the region.

The structure represents Bridgwater's connection to 18th-century glassmaking, when the river enabled movement of raw materials and finished goods through the town. Visitors can see how such manufacturing shaped local life and economic activity.

The site is centrally located in Bridgwater at a street corner and is easy to reach on foot, with no special access requirements or entry fees. For more information about the facility, visitors can consult the Blake Museum, which displays artifacts from excavations.

After World War II, the bricks from this abandoned facility were not discarded but reused to construct nearby airfields. This conversion of factory materials into wartime infrastructure shows how old structures gained new purpose in different contexts.

Location: Bridgwater

GPS coordinates: 51.13150,-3.00385

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:40