A detailed and comprehensive cartographic survey of the Manor of Wrington, which at that time belonged to the Rt Hon William Pulteney, was undertaken by John Rocque in 1738. A total of four maps were produced in 1738 and 1739. The largest one was of the whole Manor of Wrington, while the other three showed the tithings or subdivisions of the manor, namely Wrington, Burrington and Broadfield

John Rocque went on to map many cities including Bristol and Dublin, and in 1746 his engraving of London was considered to be the finest and most accurate of the city. He became official cartographer to the Prince of Wales in 1751.

It appears that the Rocque maps ended up in the office of Bennetts, the Wrington solicitors, and they are currently housed in the Bristol Record Office (BRO).

The maps are finely drawn on heavy parchment, at a scale of about 12 inches to 1 mile, and show the villages in considerable detail. Hedges, trees, orchards, houses, woodland, lanes and paths are all minutely drawn. Each enclosure is marked with a letter which identifies the tenant and a number which identifies the plot in an accompanying schedule.   The schedule, pages from which can be seen below, is in the care of Mrs Joyce Smith of Wrington and has been transcribed.  It gives a most invaluable insight into the inhabitants of the villages over 100 years before the first complete census and gives a name to each plot. Spreadsheets have been transcribed of the schedule and are available to view along with the maps.

However, the condition of the map is such that it is not available for public inspection, and also beyond restoration. The gallery section has a photo of the map to give you an impression of its condition :

Notwithstanding the condition, Stefan Marjoram has recently managed painstakingly to photograph and stitch together a most remarkable digital rendition of the map.

It covers the Manor of Wrington, that is Burrington and Wrington, but excludes the Manor of Langford which at this time was held by John Jones. Hence much of Lower Langford as it is today, was not covered by this survey.

In addition digitised images are available of the Wrington and Broadfield tythings. The originals can also be inspected at the BRO.

The maps reveal many new features of the landscape that will greatly add to the knowledge of our local villages, and will hopefully assist you in your research and studies.

To view the whole Manor of Wrington
Please click here and follow the instructions to view the map

To view the Wrington tything
Please click here and follow the instructions to view the map
Please click here to view the schedule that accompanies the map

To view the Broadfield tything
Please click here and follow the instructions to view the map

Please click here to view the schedule that accompanies the map

The Burrington map has darkened with age and is now encapsulated to allow it to be viewed at the Bristol Record Office without being further damaged.
Please click here to view the schedule that accompanies the map