Nailsea Area Guide

Nailsea is a vibrant and expanding town situated around 15 miles south of Bristol. Access to the M5 motorway is just 15-20 minutes away being either Junction 21 Clevedon or Junction 19 Portishead. The Almondsbury interchange is the intersection of the M5 and M4 motorways leading to Cardiff and London. Bristol International Airport is around a 20-minute car journey. The nearest mainline rail link is at Backwell around 1.3 miles from the centre of Nailsea.

Some History of Nailsea

The earliest date for coal mining in Nailsea is 1507 when coal was being transported to fire the limekiln at Yatton. At this period the coal would only have been mined where it outcropped near the surface, but by the mid-nineteenth century, the Golden Valley Pit operated at a depth of six hundred and twenty feet. Whilst some seams were up to three feet six inches thick, others were only eighteen inches and barely viable. The last pit closed in 1882 in the face of competition from larger mines in South Wales and the North of England where the coal was easier and cheaper to extract.

Several examples of winding and pumping houses remain three as ruins, two as conversions into dwellings. The most obvious is the small winding tower on Scotch Horn, but of national importance is the Middle Engine Pit complex in Golden Valley, now a scheduled monument.

If the stone was the catalyst for coal mining, it was the abundance of this good quality coal that attracted glassworks to Nailsea in 1788. Established on the open heath against the Nailsea / Wraxall border, John Robert Lucas initially built two cones – one for bottle making, the other for the production of window glass for the so-called Industrial Revolution. His works were to prosper under several partnerships, and by the mid-nineteenth century had become the fourth largest glassworks in Britain covering some six acres between the Royal Oak Public House and Nailsea Park. Crown, cylinder and plate glass were produced, along with a limited amount of coloured glass. It was the “end of shift” domestic ware and novelty pieces made by the skilled and apprentice blowers that have accorded Nailsea glass its international recognition.

When the glassworks closed in 1873, and the last mine within the following ten years, most of the skilled workers moved away and Nailsea reverted to a largely agricultural community. After the initial decline in the population, it remained fairly static until the middle of the last century. In the late 1950’s Nailsea, a village which had inherited an unusually large population, was selected by Somerset County Council as a site for a new town.

Children Friendly

Nailsea is well served with open areas of green space and play areas, the newest of which is Millenium Park with its skate park and large grass area perfect for picnics and the occasional enjoyment of ice cream. There are many dozens of footpaths and open countryside walks, just minutes away from any point within Nailsea. Being mainly flat, Nailsea is ideal for cycling or walking and enjoys a wonderful community atmosphere.

Transport

Access to Bristol is very easy by car takes around 15 minutes, buses run from the centre of the town at various times of day and there is a convenient rail link at Nailsea and Backwell train station close by. There are various cycle routes including Clevedon and Bristol, with five main roads leading out of the town heading to Bristol, Backwell and Clevedon.
 

Dining out

With a plethora of choices including a host of family-oriented pubs and restaurants, we are well served with worldwide cuisine and of course takeaways. Plentiful coffee shops and cafes offer the perfect meeting place to catch up with friends.
Follow the link https://www.nailseatown.com/eating-out/    

Nearby Schools

Both Nailsea and the nearby area of Backwell offer a superb choice of Pre-school, Primary and Secondary schools all benefitting from attractive Ofsted ratings.
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Nailsea Area Guide

Nailsea is a vibrant and expanding town situated around 15 miles south of Bristol. Access to the M5 motorway is just 15-20 minutes away being either Junction 21 Clevedon or Junction 19 Portishead. The Almondsbury interchange is the intersection of the M5 and M4 motorways leading to Cardiff and London. Bristol International Airport is around a 20-minute car journey. The nearest mainline rail link is at Backwell around 1.3 miles from the centre of Nailsea.

Some History of Nailsea

The earliest date for coal mining in Nailsea is 1507 when coal was being transported to fire the limekiln at Yatton. At this period the coal would only have been mined where it outcropped near the surface, but by the mid-nineteenth century, the Golden Valley Pit operated at a depth of six hundred and twenty feet. Whilst some seams were up to three feet six inches thick, others were only eighteen inches and barely viable. The last pit closed in 1882 in the face of competition from larger mines in South Wales and the North of England where the coal was easier and cheaper to extract.

Several examples of winding and pumping houses remain three as ruins, two as conversions into dwellings. The most obvious is the small winding tower on Scotch Horn, but of national importance is the Middle Engine Pit complex in Golden Valley, now a scheduled monument.

If the stone was the catalyst for coal mining, it was the abundance of this good quality coal that attracted glassworks to Nailsea in 1788. Established on the open heath against the Nailsea / Wraxall border, John Robert Lucas initially built two cones – one for bottle making, the other for the production of window glass for the so-called Industrial Revolution. His works were to prosper under several partnerships, and by the mid-nineteenth century had become the fourth largest glassworks in Britain covering some six acres between the Royal Oak Public House and Nailsea Park. Crown, cylinder and plate glass were produced, along with a limited amount of coloured glass. It was the “end of shift” domestic ware and novelty pieces made by the skilled and apprentice blowers that have accorded Nailsea glass its international recognition.

When the glassworks closed in 1873, and the last mine within the following ten years, most of the skilled workers moved away and Nailsea reverted to a largely agricultural community. After the initial decline in the population, it remained fairly static until the middle of the last century. In the late 1950’s Nailsea, a village which had inherited an unusually large population, was selected by Somerset County Council as a site for a new town.

Children Friendly

Nailsea is well served with open areas of green space and play areas, the newest of which is Millenium Park with its skate park and large grass area perfect for picnics and the occasional enjoyment of ice cream. There are many dozens of footpaths and open countryside walks, just minutes away from any point within Nailsea. Being mainly flat, Nailsea is ideal for cycling or walking and enjoys a wonderful community atmosphere.

Transport

Access to Bristol is very easy by car takes around 15 minutes, buses run from the centre of the town at various times of day and there is a convenient rail link at Nailsea and Backwell train station close by. There are various cycle routes including Clevedon and Bristol, with five main roads leading out of the town heading to Bristol, Backwell and Clevedon.
 

Dining out

With a plethora of choices including a host of family-oriented pubs and restaurants, we are well served with worldwide cuisine and of course takeaways. Plentiful coffee shops and cafes offer the perfect meeting place to catch up with friends.
Follow the link https://www.nailseatown.com/eating-out/    

Nearby Schools

Both Nailsea and the nearby area of Backwell offer a superb choice of Pre-school, Primary and Secondary schools all benefitting from attractive Ofsted ratings.