Robert Southey and his wife rented a house here from May 1802–August 1803. The road was then called St James's Parade, and the Southeys lived at number 12, next door to a school at number 10. The house was near that of Charles Danvers, whom Southey took a walking tour of South Wales with in 1798. The Southeys' first child, Margaret, was born and died here. Her death prompted them to leave Bristol for good. In future years, Southey only returned on occasional visits.