East Quay Brick Kiln, Bridgwater, Somerset
This 19th century brick kiln is an important remnant of a vast industry supplying ornamental bricks, terracotta and architectural ornaments. Also many variations of the pantile, known as Bridgwater tiles, which were exported all over the world. Life for the workers in the brickyards was hard. The work was seasonal and many were laid off during the winter, when the clay was too hard to dig. At one time almost half the men in Bridgwater were employed in the brick and tile trade.
