7) Eign Wharf
At low river a stone landing stage can be seen where a footpath leads down from the old Whalebone Pub (now the Veterinary surgery) to the river. Adjacent to the footpath is the Eign Brook which comes into the Wye here. Previously this had been canalised as far as Eign Mill (about 200m), presumably to take barges from the river to the mill. From Hereford Archaeology: Monument. Monument type: WHARF (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD) Grid Reference: SO 5222 392
The wharf was the landing point for coal and other goods coming up and down the river from Bristol. Eign Wharf was also the boarding point for passengers: people could board the boats to go down river to Chepstow. The arrival of the railways in 1854 led to the collapse of the river trade.
Not strictly in Bartonsham, or St James Parish, the Whalebone Inn was nevertheless once a favourite watering-hole for bargemen unloading at the wharf. There had been an inn documented on this site since the early 1800s. In 1805 and 1811 it was known as the Bladebone Inn, but by 1826 it had changed its name to the Whalebone Inn. A pair of whalebones, probably carried up river by barge, adorned the entrance to the pub. They were donated to Hereford Museum. (Ron Shoesmith, Hereford Pub Guide)
The historic Whalebone Inn finally closed its doors in 1956, the licence being transferred to The Steppes, formerly a private residence on the corner of Old Eign Hill and Hampton Park Road, which was converted and named the Salmon Inn. Falling trade forced the Salmon to close after fifty years and in 2014 it became a day nursery.
Return to Parish History Map
At low river a stone landing stage can be seen where a footpath leads down from the old Whalebone Pub (now the Veterinary surgery) to the river. Adjacent to the footpath is the Eign Brook which comes into the Wye here. Previously this had been canalised as far as Eign Mill (about 200m), presumably to take barges from the river to the mill. From Hereford Archaeology: Monument. Monument type: WHARF (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD) Grid Reference: SO 5222 392
The wharf was the landing point for coal and other goods coming up and down the river from Bristol. Eign Wharf was also the boarding point for passengers: people could board the boats to go down river to Chepstow. The arrival of the railways in 1854 led to the collapse of the river trade.
Not strictly in Bartonsham, or St James Parish, the Whalebone Inn was nevertheless once a favourite watering-hole for bargemen unloading at the wharf. There had been an inn documented on this site since the early 1800s. In 1805 and 1811 it was known as the Bladebone Inn, but by 1826 it had changed its name to the Whalebone Inn. A pair of whalebones, probably carried up river by barge, adorned the entrance to the pub. They were donated to Hereford Museum. (Ron Shoesmith, Hereford Pub Guide)
The historic Whalebone Inn finally closed its doors in 1956, the licence being transferred to The Steppes, formerly a private residence on the corner of Old Eign Hill and Hampton Park Road, which was converted and named the Salmon Inn. Falling trade forced the Salmon to close after fifty years and in 2014 it became a day nursery.
Return to Parish History Map