West Bilney Brickyard

THE BRICKYARD

Little is known about the brickyard. It was situated to the north of the A47 just as you enter the village.

A map of the village in 1857 clearly indicates where the pits were; from these the clay was dug for the making of the bricks - see copy of map below.

A story is told that a horse and cart went through the ice on one of the pits and the people on board were drowned. The horse and cart, it is said, remain in the pit.

Trade directories tell us that in

1836 Brickmaker John Gooding was at The Brickyard

1836 Wm Howarth, brick and tile maker

1854 John Banyard

1857 map shows site of the Brickyards (circled)

Do you have any knowledge of the brickyards?please contact us if you have anything to add