So how did people get to Stroud before?

They had to travel over the River Frome on the Bow bridge (hence its name) from Butterow and travel up Bowbridge Lane, Lower Street, Castle Street onto Nelson Street and the High Street.

In 1789, the Thames and Severn canal opened with a lock adjoining Bowbridge Mill. Then in 1814, the main route from Chalford to Stroud was built, thereby opening Bowbridge's access and attracting more business and more people.