Wraxall, Somerset
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wraxall is a village in North Somerset in England; the parish of the same name also included Nailsea and Flax Bourton until 1811.
The origin of the name Wraxall (which is shared with several other villages in Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset) is thought to be "a nook of land frequented by Buzzards".
Wraxall Court was the original manor house. After the Norman conquest the Manor belonged to the De Wrokeshale family until it passed to the Moreville and then the Gorges families by marriage. In Victorian times the Ford family lived at Wraxall Court, which was taken over by the Admiralty during the Second World War, and became a Hall of Residence for Bristol University afterwards.
The parish church of All Saints was built in the 14th century, with tower, clock and bells being added in later centuries. Parish registers survive from 1562, and include examples of the baptism of black slaves. There are painted stone figures of Sir Edmond Gorges and his wife in the chancel. The nearby rectory was built in the 17th century. The large churchyard contains several monuments to the Tynte family which gave its name to the nearby Tyntesfield Estate, which has recently been purchased by the National Trust.
Along with Tyntesfield another tourist attraction in the village is the Zoo of Noah's ark zoo farm. This zoo has a large collection of animals, with hands on experience and also includes many play areas for kids. On every may day bank holiday, there is an agricultural fair at the North Somerset Showground.
A dame school was recorded as early as 1801 and several schools followed, the present one being built in 1856. Across the road from this was the Village Smithy, and nearby was the stocks and whipping post, for centuries the site of the annual "Stumps Fair".
An area known as "The Rocks" stretches north to Failand Hill, its many quarries being the source of most of the local building stone. Failand once had a chapel of ease, but now has the Victorian Church of St Bartholomew; the village is relatively modern.
During the 1940s "Tyntesfield Camp" was built as an American Hospital. After the war it was turned into housing, and much more housing has been built since then, Wraxall becoming a dormitory town for Bristol.
In April 2007 a new Children's hospice will open at Charlton Farm, part of the Tyntesfield Estate. Children's Hospice South West will provide in-patient palliative care for 8 children and their families. The opening follows years of fund raising in the Bristol and Somerset area.
