Bedminster, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bedminster |
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|---|---|
 Boundaries of the city council ward. |
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| Population | 12,448 (2011.Ward) |
| OS grid reference | ST580713 |
| • London | 110 mi (180 km) |
| Unitary authority | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS3 |
| Dialling code | 0117 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Bedminster, often called Bemmy, is a lively area in Bristol, England. It's located on the south side of the city. It's also the name of a local council area, which covers the central part of the district. Other nearby areas like Windmill Hill, Bedminster Down, and Southville are also part of the wider Bedminster community.
Contents
Discovering Bedminster's Past
Bedminster was once a small town in Somerset. Its story seems to begin with the Romans. They had a farmstead here between the 2nd and 4th centuries. Some think it might even have older Iron Age roots. The river Malago flows through Bedminster. It was an early Christian place for baptisms. The old word for baptism, beydd, might be where Bedminster got its name!
Important Roman remains have also been found at Bedminster Down. These include pieces of mosaic floors, roof tiles, coins, and pottery. This suggests there was a Roman Villa here, lived in by Romano-British people.
From Royal Land to Industrial Hub
By the late Anglo-Saxon period, Bedminster was a manor owned by King Edward the Confessor. This was in the 11th century. The Domesday Book of 1086 shows it was still royal land. This large royal manor covered all the land south of the Avon. It stretched from the Avon Gorge to Brislington.
In 1154, the land was given to the Lords of Berkeley. They owned it for 300 years. Later, in 1605, the Smyth family of Ashton Court bought it. They remained the main landowners until the 19th century.
During the English Civil War in 1644, Prince Rupert attacked Bedminster. By the 1760s, when John Wesley visited, Bedminster was a busy but old-fashioned market town. It had orchards next to places making bricks and ropes. The coal mining industry was also just starting.
Coal Mining and New Waterways
Small-scale open cast coal mining began in the 1670s. Then, in 1748, the first deep mine shafts were dug. This was done by Sir Jarrit Smyth at South Liberty Lane. By the end of the 1700s, eighteen coal-pits were working in the Bedminster and Ashton Vale area.
Between 1804 and 1809, a new waterway called the New Cut was dug. It went through the northern part of Bedminster. This new channel for the River Avon helped keep the water level steady in Bristol Harbour. This meant ships could stay afloat easily. It also helped stop mud from building up in the harbour.
Growing Industries and Population
In 1840, a shipbuilder called Acramans, Morgan and Co opened the Bedminster Yard. They built large steam ships there. Later, John Payne Ltd took over the yard in 1862. They built smaller ships like cargo ships and tugs. The yard closed in 1925. Today, Bristol Metal Welding and Spraying Company is on the site.
Bedminster's population grew very fast. It went from 3,000 people in 1801 to 78,000 in 1884! This was mainly because of the coal mines and other factories. These included places for metal work, leather tanning, glue, paint, and glass. As more people moved in, new areas like Windmill Hill, Totterdown, Southville, and Bedminster Down grew. Many churches, public houses, and shops were built then, and some are still here today.
Victoria Park was created in the late 1880s. It gave people in the new homes a place to relax and play. Bedminster Town Hall was built in 1891.
Bedminster in Modern Times
During World War II, Bedminster was heavily bombed. This was part of the Bristol Blitz. After the war, many heavy industries moved to areas south of the parish. New housing estates were built in Withywood, Hartcliffe, and Highridge.
Did you know there's a place called Bedminster in New Jersey, USA? It was named after Bedminster in Bristol in 1748!
Learning in Bedminster
Bedminster has several schools for young people.
Primary Schools
- North Street Nursery
- Holy Cross RC Primary School
- Parson Street Primary School
- Victoria Park Primary School
- Compass Point: South Street School and Children's Centre
- Oasis Academy Marksbury Road
Secondary Schools
- Bedminster Down School
Getting Around Bedminster
The two main shopping streets, East Street and North Street, are part of the A38 road. They stretch from Bedminster Bridge over the New Cut to Bedminster Down.
The Bristol to Exeter railway line runs through Bedminster. There are two train stations: Bedminster and Parson Street.
Sports and Fun in Bedminster
Bedminster is home to many sports teams.
Sports Teams
- Broad Plain Rugby Club: They play in the Bristol Combination league. Their home ground was once used by Bristol City Football Club.
- Bedminster Cricket Club: Founded in 1847, this club has links to the famous cricketer W. G. Grace. They play in the West of England Premier League.
Community and Recreation
Bedminster has one of Bristol's two city farms. It's located below Windmill Hill. This farm is also the national headquarters for the Federation of City Farms. Across from the city farm is Bristol's Hackspace. This is a shared workshop for people who enjoy electronics and robotics.
A greyhound racing track, called the Magnet Racecourse, opened here in 1928. It was on South Liberty Lane. The track closed in 1932.
Understanding the Council Ward
The Bedminster council ward is a specific area for local government. It doesn't include the very northern part of Bedminster, which is in Southville ward. It also doesn't cover the area east of the railway line, which is in Windmill Hill ward. Bedminster Down is in Bishopsworth ward. However, the Bedminster ward does include the area of Ashton Vale, to the south.
Ashton Vale
Ashton Vale has homes mainly around Ashton Drive and South Liberty Lane. It has its own primary school. The northern part of Ashton Vale, near the Portishead Railway line, has a mix of light industry and shops.
Famous Faces from Bedminster
- Princess Caraboo: An interesting person who pretended to be a princess. She lived in Bedminster as a widow and passed away in 1864.
- Florence Mary Taylor: A pioneering Australian architect and aviator. She was born in Bedminster in 1879.
- Jayde Adams: A British comedian, actress, writer, and singer. She was born in Bedminster in 1984.
Images for kids
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Boundaries of the city council ward.
