Why would anyone build a house over a stream? Legend has it that the Braithwaite family, who owned the land on both sides of Stock Beck, built the house over the water to avoid paying land taxes. While historians often debate the absolute truth of the "tax dodge" theory, the practical reality of the building is just as fascinating.
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| Old Bridge House, Ambleside |
Built in the late 1600s, this tiny structure measures just two rooms—one up, one down. Despite its diminutive stature, it has served an incredible variety of purposes over the last 300 years:
A Summer House: Its original intent for the Braithwaite estate.
An Apple Store: Used to keep fruit cool above the rushing water.
A Cobbler’s Shop: Providing shoes for the villagers of Ambleside.
A Tea Room: Welcoming early Victorian tourists.
A Family Home: At one point, records suggest a family of eight lived within these tiny walls!
Dating the Card: A 1960s Time Capsule
When we look closely at the "Front" of this postcard, we see clues that help us pin down its era. The soft, saturated colour palette is indicative of the photo-chrom printing style popular in the 1960s.
Furthermore, the fashion of the figures walking near the bridge and the glimpse of a classic car further down the road suggest an era of burgeoning post-war tourism. This was a time when the Lake District was becoming increasingly accessible to the "motoring public," and Bridge House became the quintessential "must-see" stop on any Lakeland tour.
The reverse of the card bears the logo of Sanderson & Dixon, a firm that was instrumental in documenting the Lake District through the mid-20th century. Their postcards are highly collectible today because they capture the region during a transition point between old-world rural life and modern tourism.
Architecture of the Fells
The Bridge House is a masterclass in Vernacular Architecture. It is built entirely of local Lakeland slate, likely "rubble-built" with stone gathered from the nearby hills. The roof features heavy "Westmorland Green" slates, which are laid in diminishing courses (larger at the bottom, smaller at the top) to distribute weight effectively.
In the postcard, you can see the sturdy stone arch that supports the entire weight of the house. It is a testament to 17th-century engineering that the building has survived three centuries of Cumbrian floods and the constant vibration of traffic from the adjacent road.
A Legacy Preserved
By the early 20th century, the Bridge House had fallen into disrepair. It was a group of local residents who recognized its value, eventually purchasing it and donating it to the National Trust in 1926.
When this postcard was printed in the 1960s, the house was already a celebrated relic, operating as an information centre (much as it does today). It represents the early success of the conservation movement in the UK, ensuring that even the "smallest" pieces of history are protected for future generations.
Collecting the Lakes
For postcard collectors (deltiologists), items like this "KLD 220" series are wonderful because they represent a specific topographical history. They show us how the surroundings of Bridge House have changed—the growth of the trees, the paving of the roads, and the evolution of the nearby buildings.
Holding this card is like holding a piece of Ambleside itself. It smells of old paper and evokes the sound of Stock Beck rushing beneath the floorboards. It reminds us that while the world speeds up, some things—like a tiny stone house on a bridge—remain steadfast.
