The village has a primary school, one pub named The Jubilee Inn, a church dating back to Norman times and is the home of Backwell Flax Bourton Cricket Club.
To the north of the village and close to the Bristol to Exeter railway line a mill was built on the Land Yeo. It may have existed at the time of the Domesday Book and strong documentary evidence exists from 1769. Between 1839 and 1885 the river was diverted into the tailrace of the mill, eliminating a bend in the river. All that remains of the three storey mill is a single storey garage of a private house.
Farleigh Hospital and the Church of St. George was built in 1837 as a Workhouse for the Bedminster Union. Also on Old Weston Road is the former Long Ashton Magistrate's Court and Police Station, which was built 1857-58 by John Norton,
and is now home to the Coroner's court for Bristol and North Somerset.
Backwell is a rural village and civil parish in Somerset, England. It falls within the Unitary Authority of North Somerset and has a population of 4,589.
It is 7 miles (11.3km) south west of Bristol, on the A370 to Weston-super-Mare. It includes the hamlets of Backwell Common, Backwell Green and Farleigh and the districts of West Town and Downside.
The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, such as the village hall or community centre, playing fields and playgrounds, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also of interest to the council.
It is home to a post office with general store, a pub (The Failand Inn), an observatory and a church. A drama group, the Failand Drama Circle, operates out of the village hall.
The village has two separate parts. Failand itself is on the B3128 Bristol to Clevedon road, and is the newer and larger part. Lower Failand, a mile away, is the original village (shown as Fayland on old maps). Lower Failand can be reached by single track lanes only.
Landmarks
Tyntesfield is a gothic house and estate recently acquired by the National Trust after a national fund-raising campaign. It is still being restored, but is open to visitors. It has been designated as a Grade II* listed building. The entrance is just West of Failand on the B3128.
The Anglican parish church of St Bartholomew in Lower Failand was built in 1883-1887 by E. W. Barnes of Bristol.
The Romans built a wharf at Portbury for the export of lead and tin from mines on the Mendip Hills. The wharf itself would have been at Sheepway derived from Old English, is scæp and weg meaning sheep track.
Portbury is mentioned in the Liber Exoniensis and was given by William the Conqueror to one of his favourites, Bishop Geoffrey de Montbray of Coutances— the 'battling bishop' - sword in one hand and crook in the other! It had previously been held by the Godwin family who were the most powerful family in the whole country. Godwin was Earl of Wessex, Harold, his son, was the loser at Hastings in 1066. His daughter was queen to Edward the Confessor. So in Saxon times Portbury must have been an important place but no pre-1066 record or trace exists. So it first appears in written history in the Domesday Book which was for taxation of the Hundred of Portbury - the sub-division of the shire of Somerset for justice, defence and revenue purposes. The Domesday Book quotes 'Godwin held it from the King", Godwin being Harold 11's eldest son and also holding the title of Sheriff of Somerset. There would have existed in Portbury itself a substantial manor house within defensive boundaries that would have held the court and storehouses for grain. The village itself is small but in former times ruled over most of the Gordano valley and the remote satellite enclave of Hamgreen.
The Hundred of Portbury is one of the 40 historical Hundreds in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, dating from before the Norman conquest during the Anglo-Saxon era although exact dates are unknown. Each hundred had a 'fyrd', which acted as the local defence force and a court which was responsible for the maintenance of the frankpledge system. They also formed a unit for the collection of taxes. The role of the hundred court was described in the Dooms (laws) of King Edgar. The name of the hundred was normally that of its meeting-place.
The Hundred was recorded in the Domesday Book it was recorded as containing 86.5 hides. 63 of these paid rent to the King with the rest being held by barons.
The importance of the hundred courts declined from the seventeenth century. By the 19th century several different single-purpose subdivisions of counties, such as poor law unions, sanitary districts, and highway districts sprang up, filling the administrative role previously played by parishes and hundreds. Although the Hundreds have never been formally abolished, their functions ended with the establishment of county courts in 1867 and the introduction of districts by the Local Government Act 1894.
#ww2 #coldwar #bristol #gpss
Welcome to another Dark Sites Shorts today we visit another GPSS site, this time near Bristol and Nailsea. The Flax Bourton GPSS a defunct, but intact part of the WW2/Cold War GPSS network and one that is intact and in good condition.
published: 26 Jan 2024
Backwell Flax Bourton CC 1st XI v Failand & Portbury CC 1st XI
Third Division Round:11
published: 13 Jul 2024
Flax Bourton
Provided to YouTube by PIAS
Flax Bourton · Beakᐳ
Couple in a Hole
℗ Invada Records
Released on: 2016-04-15
Producer: Beakᐳ
Composer: Beakᐳ
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 14 Apr 2016
Flax Bourton Primary 30s
This video is about Flax Bourton Primary 30s
published: 27 Jan 2021
Dashcam Driving To Flax Bourton, Bristol
Driving to Flax Bourton in Bristol
published: 10 Nov 2023
Charlton Nursery, Flax Bourton
Join us for a tour of our Flax Bourton setting.
published: 24 Jun 2021
Zakhele at Flax Bourton Primary
A Zakhele visit is guaranteed to bring chaos, joy and excitement to your school! Filmed during Zakhele's March 2019 tour of North Somerset schools.
published: 07 Jun 2019
Backwell Flax Bourton CC 1st XI v Pakistani Express CC PECC 1st XI
#ww2 #coldwar #bristol #gpss
Welcome to another Dark Sites Shorts today we visit another GPSS site, this time near Bristol and Nailsea. The Flax Bourton GPSS ...
#ww2 #coldwar #bristol #gpss
Welcome to another Dark Sites Shorts today we visit another GPSS site, this time near Bristol and Nailsea. The Flax Bourton GPSS a defunct, but intact part of the WW2/Cold War GPSS network and one that is intact and in good condition.
#ww2 #coldwar #bristol #gpss
Welcome to another Dark Sites Shorts today we visit another GPSS site, this time near Bristol and Nailsea. The Flax Bourton GPSS a defunct, but intact part of the WW2/Cold War GPSS network and one that is intact and in good condition.
Provided to YouTube by PIAS
Flax Bourton · Beakᐳ
Couple in a Hole
℗ Invada Records
Released on: 2016-04-15
Producer: Beakᐳ
Composer: Beakᐳ
Auto-generated ...
Provided to YouTube by PIAS
Flax Bourton · Beakᐳ
Couple in a Hole
℗ Invada Records
Released on: 2016-04-15
Producer: Beakᐳ
Composer: Beakᐳ
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by PIAS
Flax Bourton · Beakᐳ
Couple in a Hole
℗ Invada Records
Released on: 2016-04-15
Producer: Beakᐳ
Composer: Beakᐳ
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Dates for 2016 - Saturday July 2nd and Sunday July 3rd.
Find out more about the festival at backwellfestival.co.uk
Big thanks to Hunky Dory Productions for 2015's memories....
published: 16 Nov 2015
Trains at: Nailsea & Backwell, GWML, Good Friday Special, 15th April 2022
Hello guys and welcome back to another new video this time I’m at Nailsea and Blackwell on the great western mainline for my good Friday special hope you all enjoy this video guys my first ever visit to Nailsea and Backwell got to say it’s quite a unique station not sure if I will visit again anytime soon tho.
Train services you will see in this video will be by GWR and Crosscountry
If you did like what you saw then please do drop a like and any feedback will be greatly appreciated 🙂
published: 21 Apr 2022
Nailsea & Backwell Vs Old Elizabethans Preseason Friendly 36-36
published: 18 Aug 2023
Backwell School Christmas Cabaret 2019
cheers champion mate
published: 19 Dec 2019
Ashton & Backwell United 2-0 Ilfracombe Town
All the action from Tuesday's match where Stags earned the double victory over Ilfracombe Town!
#UPTHESTAGS
published: 21 Apr 2023
Backwell Village
Slideshow of Backwell
published: 30 Jul 2007
Train Spotting at Nailsea & Backwell
In this video I go train spotting at Nailsea & Backwell. You will see services from GWR and Cross Country. The types of trains you will see in this video are the Class 43, Class 166 and Class 220/221.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weston_train_spotter/
The next video will be Train Spotting at Yatton
published: 28 Oct 2021
NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL: ASHTON AND BACKWELL V HELSTON ATHLETIC
A long trip for Helston Athletic in the Western Premier League. It's a visit to Ashton and Backwell just south west of Bristol. 7th v 8th. Steve Massey is the commentator.
published: 11 Mar 2023
St Andrew's Backwell Eucharist for Sunday 18th February 2024 (First Sunday of Lent)
published: 19 Feb 2024
Backwell House | Vu360 Virtual Tour
A complication of the 360˚ Virtual Tour images shot for Backwell House Hotel in North Somerset by Vu360 Virtual Tours.
The full tour can be found at www.backwellhouse360.co.uk , comprised over 173 360˚ images, allowing the visitor to move around the entire three-story building and all of it's grounds.
Dates for 2016 - Saturday July 2nd and Sunday July 3rd.
Find out more about the festival at backwellfestival.co.uk
Big thanks to Hunky Dory Productions for 2015...
Dates for 2016 - Saturday July 2nd and Sunday July 3rd.
Find out more about the festival at backwellfestival.co.uk
Big thanks to Hunky Dory Productions for 2015's memories....
Dates for 2016 - Saturday July 2nd and Sunday July 3rd.
Find out more about the festival at backwellfestival.co.uk
Big thanks to Hunky Dory Productions for 2015's memories....
Hello guys and welcome back to another new video this time I’m at Nailsea and Blackwell on the great western mainline for my good Friday special hope you all en...
Hello guys and welcome back to another new video this time I’m at Nailsea and Blackwell on the great western mainline for my good Friday special hope you all enjoy this video guys my first ever visit to Nailsea and Backwell got to say it’s quite a unique station not sure if I will visit again anytime soon tho.
Train services you will see in this video will be by GWR and Crosscountry
If you did like what you saw then please do drop a like and any feedback will be greatly appreciated 🙂
Hello guys and welcome back to another new video this time I’m at Nailsea and Blackwell on the great western mainline for my good Friday special hope you all enjoy this video guys my first ever visit to Nailsea and Backwell got to say it’s quite a unique station not sure if I will visit again anytime soon tho.
Train services you will see in this video will be by GWR and Crosscountry
If you did like what you saw then please do drop a like and any feedback will be greatly appreciated 🙂
In this video I go train spotting at Nailsea & Backwell. You will see services from GWR and Cross Country. The types of trains you will see in this video are th...
In this video I go train spotting at Nailsea & Backwell. You will see services from GWR and Cross Country. The types of trains you will see in this video are the Class 43, Class 166 and Class 220/221.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weston_train_spotter/
The next video will be Train Spotting at Yatton
In this video I go train spotting at Nailsea & Backwell. You will see services from GWR and Cross Country. The types of trains you will see in this video are the Class 43, Class 166 and Class 220/221.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weston_train_spotter/
The next video will be Train Spotting at Yatton
A long trip for Helston Athletic in the Western Premier League. It's a visit to Ashton and Backwell just south west of Bristol. 7th v 8th. Steve Massey is the ...
A long trip for Helston Athletic in the Western Premier League. It's a visit to Ashton and Backwell just south west of Bristol. 7th v 8th. Steve Massey is the commentator.
A long trip for Helston Athletic in the Western Premier League. It's a visit to Ashton and Backwell just south west of Bristol. 7th v 8th. Steve Massey is the commentator.
A complication of the 360˚ Virtual Tour images shot for Backwell House Hotel in North Somerset by Vu360 Virtual Tours.
The full tour can be found at www.backwe...
A complication of the 360˚ Virtual Tour images shot for Backwell House Hotel in North Somerset by Vu360 Virtual Tours.
The full tour can be found at www.backwellhouse360.co.uk , comprised over 173 360˚ images, allowing the visitor to move around the entire three-story building and all of it's grounds.
A complication of the 360˚ Virtual Tour images shot for Backwell House Hotel in North Somerset by Vu360 Virtual Tours.
The full tour can be found at www.backwellhouse360.co.uk , comprised over 173 360˚ images, allowing the visitor to move around the entire three-story building and all of it's grounds.
#ww2 #coldwar #bristol #gpss
Welcome to another Dark Sites Shorts today we visit another GPSS site, this time near Bristol and Nailsea. The Flax Bourton GPSS a defunct, but intact part of the WW2/Cold War GPSS network and one that is intact and in good condition.
Provided to YouTube by PIAS
Flax Bourton · Beakᐳ
Couple in a Hole
℗ Invada Records
Released on: 2016-04-15
Producer: Beakᐳ
Composer: Beakᐳ
Auto-generated by YouTube.
The village has a primary school, one pub named The Jubilee Inn, a church dating back to Norman times and is the home of Backwell Flax Bourton Cricket Club.
To the north of the village and close to the Bristol to Exeter railway line a mill was built on the Land Yeo. It may have existed at the time of the Domesday Book and strong documentary evidence exists from 1769. Between 1839 and 1885 the river was diverted into the tailrace of the mill, eliminating a bend in the river. All that remains of the three storey mill is a single storey garage of a private house.
Farleigh Hospital and the Church of St. George was built in 1837 as a Workhouse for the Bedminster Union. Also on Old Weston Road is the former Long Ashton Magistrate's Court and Police Station, which was built 1857-58 by John Norton,
and is now home to the Coroner's court for Bristol and North Somerset.
Dates for 2016 - Saturday July 2nd and Sunday July 3rd.
Find out more about the festival at backwellfestival.co.uk
Big thanks to Hunky Dory Productions for 2015's memories....
Hello guys and welcome back to another new video this time I’m at Nailsea and Blackwell on the great western mainline for my good Friday special hope you all enjoy this video guys my first ever visit to Nailsea and Backwell got to say it’s quite a unique station not sure if I will visit again anytime soon tho.
Train services you will see in this video will be by GWR and Crosscountry
If you did like what you saw then please do drop a like and any feedback will be greatly appreciated 🙂
In this video I go train spotting at Nailsea & Backwell. You will see services from GWR and Cross Country. The types of trains you will see in this video are the Class 43, Class 166 and Class 220/221.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weston_train_spotter/
The next video will be Train Spotting at Yatton
A long trip for Helston Athletic in the Western Premier League. It's a visit to Ashton and Backwell just south west of Bristol. 7th v 8th. Steve Massey is the commentator.
A complication of the 360˚ Virtual Tour images shot for Backwell House Hotel in North Somerset by Vu360 Virtual Tours.
The full tour can be found at www.backwellhouse360.co.uk , comprised over 173 360˚ images, allowing the visitor to move around the entire three-story building and all of it's grounds.