Bridgwater Docks

Port of Bridgwater
A view down the River Parrett towards Bridgwater Town Bridge, which was the original highest navigable point, with care, by 400-to-500-tonne (390-to-490-long-ton) on the river
Location
Country	England
Location	Somerset
Details
Opened	Before 1348
Operated by	Bridgwater Docks: Sedgemoor Combwich Pill: EDF Energy Dunball: Amey plc/AG Watts
Owned by	Sedgemoor District Council
Type of harbor	Natural, located on the River Parrett
Statistics
Annual cargo tonnage	2006: 90,213 tonnes (99,443 short tons)
Website http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/portofbridgwater

The Port of Bridgwater is a port, originally located in the town of Bridgwater, Somerset, England. Created under an 1845 Act of Parliament, it extends from Brean Down to Hinkley Point in Bridgwater Bay, and parts of the rivers Parrett (to Bridgwater), River Brue and River Axe. Although no ships now dock in the town, in 2001 103,613 (metric) tonnes of cargo were handled within the area of the Port Authority (compared to more than 200,000 tons (approximately equivalent to metric tonnes) in 1878), most of which were stone products through the wharf at Dunball.

The origins of the name of the town of Bridgwater are much debated by historians, with options coming from:

In the Domesday Book the town is listed as Brugie, but after the Norman invasion the land was given to Walter of Douai. Hence, as well as Burgh-Walter, an alternative version is that it derives from "Bridge of Walter" (i.e. Walter's Bridge).

What can be gained from the etymology of the town's name, is that Bridgwater has been a port of trade since pre-1200AD, when the first stone bridge was built within the town, which also marked the highest point of safe navigation for seagoing vessels. The town was the lowest practical crossing point on the River Parrett, although an alternate crossing via large stones at Combwich also existed but only at low tide.

The two major manors which controlled the town gained considerable revenues from the 11th century onwards from the imposed Lords Water tolls. This led to the port being formally adopted as part of the Port of Bristol, allowing fee's to be distributed there as well. Exports included: