Backwell, Brockley, Nailsea, Wraxall, Flax Bourton, Barrow Gurney Area Guide

Backwell

Backwell is the closest village to Nailsea and shares not only its train station, but ‘Buckland’s Pool’ commonly known as Backwell Lake, a hot spot for wildlife and dog walkers. The village is popular with families due to its schools (primary and secondary), larger houses and its village atmosphere. The small town has a healthy community feel with many amenities including a swimming pool, several pubs, convenience store, a great fish and chip shop and the thriving Backwell Playhouse theatre.

Barrow Gurney

w Gurney has a population of approximately 350 and sits 5 miles southwest of Bristol city centre. Picturesque throughout with stone-built cottages and farmhouses, narrow winding roads and a beautiful mill pond. Amenities are limited to a post office, a farm shop and a great pub. The village also has one of the smallest libraries, in the form of a red telephone box filled with books, which are swapped amongst the community.

Brockley & Cleeve

The villages of Brockley & Cleeve sit approximately 9 miles southwest of Bristol City Centre and are overlooked by several hills and valleys, which support a rich diversity of wildlife. Properties vary in age, but are mostly larger houses and cottages, with several farm houses and barn conversions.

Flax Bourton

Flax Bourton connects Backwell to Bristol via the Long Ashton Bypass. The village is popular with commuters, with easy access to Bristol City Centre, Bristol Airport and Nailsea & Backwell Train Station. A primary school, village hall, public house, Norman Church and popular cricket ground are all on offer and many recreational facilities are close by for anyone who enjoys walking, cycling, riding and golfing and the David Lloyd Health & Leisure Centre is situated within 4.5 miles.

Nailsea

Nailsea is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Bristol and 11 miles northeast of the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. Historically the town was known for coal mining and glass work production, today it is favoured for its excellent primary and secondary schools, shops, cafes and transport links to Bristol, the M5 corridor, Bristol Airport and trains from Nailsea & Backwell Train Station. The station provides Great Western services to Bristol Temple Meads, Weston-super-Mare, Cardiff and London Paddington. Popular haunts include The Coates House Cafe bar, The Blue Flame pub, Scotch Horn Leisure Centre and Millennium Park. Familiar stores like Waitrose, Tesco, Boots and Costa Coffee are also situated in the town centre, surrounded by a variety of independently run shops and businesses, a library and a post office. There are two fish and chip shops, one on the high street and one a short distance from the town centre. The town centre hosts a weekly market every Tuesday and a popular Farmers’ Market on the third Saturday of each month. Churches include the 14th-century Holy Trinity Church; Christ Church which was built in 1843; St Francis RC Church and Nailsea Baptist Church.

Wraxall

Until 1811 the parish of the same name also included Nailsea and Flax Bourton. It is now within the parish of Wraxall and Failand. The population almost doubled in the late ’90s after Bryant Homes built ‘The Elms’ (named after a well-known Elm Tree cut down in 1977). The majority of these new homes are large executive four and five-bedroom detached houses, some with beautiful countryside views, others overlooking a duck pond. Wraxall is also home to several tourist attractions including: The National Trust’s Tyntesfield estate, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and The North Somerset Show Ground.

The North Somerset Show

An agricultural show held annually in May at Wraxall in North Somerset. Organised by the North Somerset Agricultural Society, the event showcases livestock, tractor ploughing events, food and craft, as well as horse show jumping.

Look out for our sponsored rider Aimee Swinton-Clark with her horse Joey and the Fine & Country Horsebox.

Commuting

Flying from Bristol International Airport to catching the train from its many stations located in Nailsea & Backwell, Yatton & Weston-super-Mare (and funding has recently been secured to re-open the Portishead railway link to Bristol) or driving in the comfort of your own car, the M5 motorway, A370 and A38 roads are all easily accessible. The Strawberry Line cycle route is also very popular both with cyclists and walkers.