THE BASSA VILLA
Bassa Villa dates as far back as 1593 with the name having been derived from the Latin term 'the town in the basin'. It is possible to see exactly why the name was given when you see that The Bassa Villa stands at the bottom of the Cartway which is and always has been the main gateway up into 'High Town'.
During the 17th and 18th Centuries, many of the houses on the Cartway were either drinking dens or houses of 'ill repute'. This stems from the thriving river trade which developed in Bridgnorth. All goods had to be hauled up the steep hill into town to meet with the other traders who came to sell their produce.
Fortunately, nowadays we have the convenience of the fenicular railway which is the steepest of its kind anywhere in England which is open the public from 8:00am every day. A plaque in the 16th century Bassa Villa Restaurant (Formely Magpie House) at the bottom of Bridgnorths Cartway tells of a mothers undying love for her two dead offspring, tragic victims of chance and an innocent childrens game.
In the 1600s the girl, Charlotte and boy, William were playing Hide and Seek and were inadvertently locked in the cellar of the Magpie House, which is close to the River Severn. Trapped, they had no means of escape when the river, high in flood, suddenly burst its banks, flooding the cellar and drowning the unfortunate children. The grief-stricken parents erected two marble images of the children, which can still be seen in the Terrace Gardens. But images of stone cannot replace flesh and blood, nor ease a grieving mothers heart.
The Black Lady has been seen walking the house still, her soul tormented by the tragic loss. She cries, softly whimpering her sadness, or has been heard laughing gently in remembrance of happier times.