Follow in Jenner’s footsteps with the Jenner Trail in Berkeley

Edward Jenner’s family life and career has exceptionally strong links to Berkeley, the town where he was born, lived and worked for the majority of his career. Apart from The Chantry (now home to the Jenner Museum), there are a number of interesting buildings which played important parts in his life, these can be seen in a quarter of a mile walk around the town which takes in ten other buildings of historical importance. The Jenner Trail was originally set up as an independent community project, and is being handed over the Museum in summer 2024.

These sites of special interest are marked with blue plaques with QR codes for further information on each building or location.

1. Site of Jenner’s birth - Adjacent to Yew Tree House, Marybrook Street, all that remains of the Old Vicarage, where Jenner was born in 1749 is a low outline of the foundations of the cottage in the garden behind a close boarded fence. It was here that he lived with his parents, The Rev Stephen and Sarah Jenner until their untimely death in 1754, when Jenner was just five years old.

2. Berkeley Town Hall - Jenner was appointed Mayor of Berkeley, magistrate and a justice of the peace in 1821. He played a key role in local events, and showed his humanitarian outlook in his decision making.

3. The Old Pharmacy - 4 High Street has changed little since Jenner’s time, a pharmacy occupied this building for over 150 years.

4. Masonic Meeting Rooms - at the rear of White Hart Court (6 & 8 High Street) there were rooms above what is now a mosaic studio, which were used as the Masonic Meeting place prior to their move to the Berkeley Arms. The Berkeley Lodge of Faith and Friendship was set up by Jenner’s brother, and Jenner himself became Master in 1812. The lodge was visited on a number of occasions by the Prince of Wales (later King George IV)

5. Berkeley House - 42 High Street was originally home to Jenner and his nephew Henry who ran their surgery from the right hand side of the building when Jenner returned from his training in London. Later the land to the left hand side of the front door was leased from Berkeley Estates to provide more living space.

6. Berkeley Castle (private entrance) - The site of Jenner’s historic air balloon launch in 1784. The balloon and fuel were made by Jenner under advice from his friend Dr Caleb Parry of Bath. Parry and Jenner had been friends since their inoculation for Smallpox prior to their admittance to Cirencester Grammar School, and remained good friends, both being members of the Medico-Convivial Society set up in 1788.

7. St Mary’s Church - Edward Jenner’s father, Stephen was Rector of St Mary’s from 1729 until his death in 1754. Edward’s wife, Catherine ran the Sunday School and the Jenner’s faith was an important factor in their lives. Jenner was buried with his parents in the family vault adjacent to the altar, and is marked with a simple stone in the floor.

8. Phipp’s Cottage - This cottage was made available to Jenner’s gardener, Christopher Phipps, father of James Phipps for the family’s lifetime. James was the first official recipient of Jenner’s vaccination, though Jenner’s 10 month old son Edward, had been the first recipient seven years previously.

9. The Temple of Vaccinia - This picturesque, romantic hermitage was designed and built for Jenner by his friend, The Rev Ferryman. The design was very much a fashionable trope of the time, and the idea of contemplation played an important part in the Enlightenment period. However, Jenner did not used this building as a place of rest, instead using it to create a vaccine clinic for the local community. Jenner opened his garden weekly to provide free vaccinations. The Temple is listed by Heritage England as one of the top 10 most important buildings in Britain.

10. The Chantry / Dr Jenner’s House, Museum & Garden - The home bought by Jenner in 1785 and is where he and Catherine Kingscote began their married life. The House was originally built in 1707 on the site of a medieval Chantry House, and features in the Kip engraving of Berkeley Castle.