Long Ashton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long Ashton |
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 All Saints church and the Angel Inn, Long Ashton |
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 Long Ashton
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| Population | 6,044 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | ST545705 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS41 |
| Dialling code | 01275 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Long Ashton is a village in Somerset, England. It's part of the North Somerset area, which is like a local government district. This village is one of several larger communities located just outside the big city of Bristol. About 6,044 people live here. The area also includes the small village of Yanley and the residential part of Leigh Woods.
The village is built on the sunny, south-facing slopes of a valley. It sits along the old road that connects Bristol to Weston-super-Mare.
Contents
Village History
Even before recorded history, people lived in the Long Ashton area. Scientists have found ancient tools and items from prehistoric times and the Roman period. These were found near the Gatcombe Roman Settlement.
The village itself started in Saxon times. In a very old book called the Domesday Book, it was called Estune. This name means "the place by the ash tree." Later, the village was simply known as Ashton until the mid-1800s. It got the name "Long" because it stretches out for almost 2 miles along the main road.
The area was once part of a larger region called Hartcliffe.
Old Buildings and Families
The main house of the village, called the manor house, dates back to 1265. In the late 1400s, parts of the estate were bought by Richard Amerike. Some people think his name might be where the name "America" comes from! Over time, the manor belonged to different families, finally ending up with the Smyth family. By 1603, the Smyths owned most of the land in Long Ashton. They were the main landowners for 400 years, until the estate was sold in 1946.
Near Fenswood Farm, archaeologists found an old medieval farm and parts of a Roman-British field system. They also found three enclosures, which are thought to be the foundations of old buildings.
Churches in Long Ashton
The main church in the village is the parish church of All Saints. It was built around 1380. You can see the family symbol of its founder, Thomas de Lyons, on the outside of the tower. Inside, there are some beautiful old tombs. Some family members of the famous poet Robert Southey are buried in the churchyard.
Another church, Hebron Church, was started in 1934 by Ernest Dyer. He rode his bicycle from Keynsham to the village to teach Sunday School. Many people who grew up in Long Ashton attended this Sunday School.
Work and Industry
For a very long time, farming has been the main job in Long Ashton. There are still several farms working today, some just outside the village. The Ashton Court estate also provided jobs like gamekeepers and foresters.
There were also several mills in the area. One was a snuff-mill (for grinding tobacco) in 1769. Later, it ground mustard and other things. By 1874, it was a flour mill. The old machinery is still inside! Another mill, Kincott Mill, has been around since at least the 1200s. It was used for grinding snuff and later for flour and corn.
People also dug for stone to make lime, buildings, and roads. In the 1800s, there was an iron factory and even coal mines. The local coalfield closed in 1924.
Village Life and Transport
The Angel Inn is the oldest pub in the village, built in 1495. It was originally a church-house. Other old pubs in the area were very popular with visitors from Bristol. In the late 1800s, a horse-drawn bus would travel from Bristol to the Bird-in-Hand pub several times a week.
In 1903, the National Fruit and Cider Institute opened in Long Ashton. It later became the Long Ashton Research Station. During World War II, this station helped develop rose hip syrup and Ribena, which were important for health during wartime. The research station closed in 2003.
A school called Parochial School opened in 1818. The current primary school, Northleaze, opened in 1867 and moved to a new building in 2006. There were also boarding schools for boys in the village.
A train station, Long Ashton railway station, opened in Yanley Lane in 1926. It was part of the line connecting Bristol to Taunton. However, it closed in 1941.
Local Government
Long Ashton has a parish council. This group of local people helps manage village issues. They decide on a small local tax to cover costs and check building plans. They also work with the police and local groups on safety and traffic. The council helps maintain village facilities like the village hall, playing fields, and playgrounds. They also talk with the larger district council about roads, paths, public transport, and keeping the streets clean. They care about protecting nature and old buildings too.
The village is part of the unitary authority of North Somerset. This is a single level of local government that handles most services for the area. This includes things like local planning, roads, housing, health, recycling, parks, and tourism. They are also in charge of education, social services, and libraries. Services like fire, police, and ambulance are shared with other areas.
The area of North Somerset is part of the larger Somerset county, but it is managed separately. Its main offices are in Weston-super-Mare.
Long Ashton is also part of the 'Wraxall and Long Ashton' electoral ward. This area had a total population of 7,793 in 2011.
The village is represented in the national Parliament of the United Kingdom as part of the North Somerset area. People in this area vote for one person, called a Member of Parliament (MP), to represent them in the House of Commons. Currently, the MP is Sadik Al-Hassan from the Labour Party.
Sports in Long Ashton
Cricket
Long Ashton Cricket Club plays in Yanley Lane. They have two Saturday teams and several teams for younger players. In 1977, the team won the Bristol & District Cricket Association League.
Some famous cricketers have played for Long Ashton. Chris Broad became an international cricketer. Shane Warne, one of the best cricketers of the 20th century, played a few games for Long Ashton during a tour in Cornwall in the early 1980s. The famous Victorian cricketer W G Grace also went to school in Long Ashton.
Football
Long Ashton's first football team plays in the Somerset County League Division 2. Their reserve team plays in the Bristol and Suburban League Division 2. Their home field is at Keedwell Hill.
Golf
The golf course at Long Ashton started in 1893 with nine holes. By 1905, more land was added, making it an 18-hole course.
Green Spaces and Parks
Leigh Woods has had houses built on it since 1865. However, much of the land has been saved thanks to gifts from the Wills family. Now, the National Trust owns and protects these areas.
The famous Clifton Suspension Bridge opened in 1864, creating a new way to get to Bristol. In 1906, a swing bridge was built to reach Hotwells. As more and more cars used the roads, a bypass road was opened in 1968 to help with traffic.
Ashton Court is a very large estate at the east end of the village. It used to belong to the Smyth family. Now, it is owned by Bristol City Council. Ashton Court hosts several events each year, including the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Its beautiful grounds are popular for walking, golf, and mountain biking.
Dawsons Walk is a green area given to the people of Long Ashton. It has been turned into a circular walk through woodlands and countryside. You can get to it from Lampton Road or a public path between Bourton Mead and 40 Long Ashton Road.
The Long Ashton Footpath Users Group has made it easier to walk around the village. They replaced 29 old stiles (steps over fences) with "kissing gates." These gates are easier for older people or those with walking difficulties to use. The circular walk is marked with yellow discs and offers great views of the valley, passing through farms and woods.
A public space next to the recreation ground was created in memory of Andrée Peel (1905–2010). She was known as Agent Rose and was a hero of the French Resistance during World War II. She spent her last years in the village and passed away peacefully in 2010.
Famous People from Long Ashton
- Ferdinando Gorges (1565–1647): He legally owned the coastal area of Maine in the United States. He died at his home in Long Ashton and is buried there.
- John Collinson (1757–1793): A historian from Somerset and a vicar (church leader) in Long Ashton.
- Andrée Peel (Agent Rose): A French resistance hero during World War II.
- Sir George Alfred Wills (1854–1928): A member of the wealthy Wills tobacco family and president of Imperial Tobacco. He lived at Burwalls.
- Henry Goulstone (1836–1914): Born in Long Ashton, he moved to New Zealand and became a financier (someone who deals with money) and a magistrate (a type of judge).
- Alfie Jones (1997-): A professional football player for Hull City, who grew up in Long Ashton.
See also
In Spanish: Long Ashton para niños
