Almondsbury

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map sources for Almondsbury at grid reference ST603841

Almondsbury is a large village near junction 16 of the M5 motorway, in South Gloucestershire, England. From early times, Almondsbury has been a residential area for Bristol's merchants and professional classes.

It is home to sporting facilities, including football sides Almondsbury Town F.C and Almondsbury F.C, a cricket pitch, rugby pitch, the motorway police station, a garden centre, a restaurant and pub.

Almondsbury is a popular view point. South Wales, Forest of Dean, the River Severn and both Severn Bridges are visible from the higher parts of the village.

The village is split by a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill is Lower Almondsbury where the village pub (The Bowl Inn) is situated. The pub takes its name from the bowl shape of the land surrounding the estuary. Parts of this whitewashed-stone inn were originally the three cottages erected in 1146 to house the monks building the adjacent church of St Mary the Virgin. The present building became a licensed inn in 1550

Also at the bottom of the hill is the local church, dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin. The church and tower were built in 1140 AD. The lead-covered spire was added some time before 1619.

Almondsbury is the birthplace of Alex Kapranos, the lead singer of Franz Ferdinand.