18th Century Home
Built around 1700, this impressive Grade 2 stucco-fronted timbered framed house, stables and garden was a private home for two hundred years.
The early history of who owned the house is unknown until 1816 when it was occupied by Joseph Greenway and later in the 1800s when it is thought to belong to the Kimbell family.
The house featured in many early photographs of the High Street, and the former gardens, behind the wall to the left of the house can be glimpsed in them. These have been replaced by neighbouring shops.
20th Century Bakery
By the start of the 20th century this building whilst still a private house, was owned by local miller, Mr. Thomas Chamberlain who turned the house into a bakery. He inserted a shop front, altered the stables into a bakery and converted the saddle room into a tearoom. Once the alterations were completed in 1906, George Curtis rented the bakery and Curtis’s bakery was established and remained in the family for almost a century.
The driveway and entrance to the tea rooms once had oyster shell arches.
From father to sons
After World War One, George’s son Fred took over the business and continued to provide a local delivery service replacing the handcart with specially commissioned bicycles with extra-large baskets. Fred bought the premises when Mr Chamberlain died in 1927. An advert in the 1935 parish magazine shows the range of goods the bakery provided.
FW Curtis, The Bakery, High Street Knowle. Homemade Confectionery, Bride, Birthday & Christening Cakes. Special attention given to Food Value in all our goods. Pork Pies, Dinner and Bridge Rolls, Drayton Shortbread, Home-made Gingerbreads etc. Made with first class ingredients.
In 1947 Fred’s sons George and John, who were both born at the bakery, took over the business after returning from serving in the forces. Later John’s son Christopher joined the family business together with Georges’ daughter Sylvia. The family business was sold in 2004, but it remains a bakery and café.
21st Century
Much unchanged, freshly baked bread (made on site) is still available from an independent baker, with the opportunity to enjoy tea, coffee and food in the cafe. An additional seating area has been added to the rear of the building.
Distinguishing features
- The original timber framing of the building on the left side elevation
- The original doorway to the house (no. 1699)
- The view of the church tower from the driveway which led to the first tea room
Timeline
- Circa 1700: Stucco-fronted timber framed house and stables constructed
- 1816: Joseph Greenway resided here
- Late 1800s: home to the Kimbell family
- Early 1900’s: Mr Chamberlain converted the home to shop front, the saddle room to a tearoom and the stables to a bakery
- 1906: George Curtus rented the bakery, delivering bread by handcart to local residents
- 1920s: Fred Curtis took over the business and commissioned bicycles with extra-large baskets
- 1927: Mr Chamberlain died and Fred Curtis bought the premises
- 1947: George and John Curtis took over the business and were later joined by their son Christopher and daughter Sylvia
- 2004: Curtis’s bakery sold to a new independent baker
Image Gallery
You will be able to see more images of Knowle in the Local History Centre located upstairs in Knowle Library.
Explore the Trail
There are twelve buildings to explore on this trail.
The small print
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented on this heritage trail, details may be subject to change or interpretation. To the best of our knowledge, all content is correct at the time of publication. We accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or changes that may have occurred since.