set on fire

Westbury-on-Trym

Westbury-on-Trym is a suburb in north Bristol, near the suburbs of Stoke Bishop, Westbury Park and Henbury, in the southwest of England. Westbury-on-Trym has a village atmosphere. The place is partly named after the River Trym that flows through it.

History

The origins of Westbury on Trym predate those of Bristol itself. At the end of the 8th century, King Offa of Mercia granted land at Westbury to his minister, Aethelmund. Later there was a monastery at Westbury, probably initially a secular one, with married clergy. This changed towards the end of the 10th century when Oswald, in whose diocese the monastery lay, sent a party of 12 monks to follow more stringent rules at the Westbury monastery.

The architect Ednoth constructed a new church and other buildings. The monastery became a college with a dean and canons at the end of the 13th century. It was rebuilt in the mid-15th century to resemble a miniature castle with turrets and a gatehouse. The Royalist Prince Rupert of the Rhine used it as his quarters during the English Civil War. When he left, in 1643, he ordered it to be set on fire so that the Parliamentarians could not make use of it. It was restored in the 20th century and the grounds were adapted for housing elderly people.

The current Church of the Holy Trinity dates from 1194 (although there has been a place of worship on the site since 717), with an early 13th century nave and aisles, and 15th century chancel, chapels and tower. It is a grade I listed building.

More recently, the Victorian mansions of Westbury on Trym have become popular as homes amongst local celebrities including Roni Size, Justin Lee Collins and Dr Alice Roberts. Westbury on Trym is known locally as the 'Westcountry's Primrose Hill'.

Amenities

Westbury-on-Trym has three Indian restaurants along the High Street, as well as The Villager Restaurant (Modern English) at the end of College Road, eight pubs and several cafes. A medium-sized Somerfield supermarket is in the centre of the village, along with banks and independent stores including book shops, craft stores, hardware shops and florists. During 2001, a large Sainsbury's was proposed, but the opposition to the plan was so strong from local villagers that the supermarket construction was eventually scrapped. There are a number of charity shops in the village. Two free car parks are available for shoppers.

Schools within the area include Elmlea Infant School, Elmlea Junior School and Westbury-on-Trym CE Primary School. Independent schools include the prestigious girls' schools Badminton, which has recently taught notable pupils such as King Hussein of Jordan's daughter and the Sultan of Brunei's daughter; and St Ursula's School, Bristol's only independent Roman Catholic school.

A new surgery is being constructed for Westbury near to the Holy Trinity Church and the Westbury Hill Car Park. This will replace the current surgery which is housed in a building on Falcondale Road.

Canford Cemetery opened in 1903, acquiring a crematorium in 1957.

Transport

Transport routes include the A4018, which runs from the city centre to Cribbs Causeway; Westbury is served by bus routes 1, 20, 21, 517, 518, 584, 585, 624, N8 and a bus service (X14) also connects Westbury-on-Trym with Chepstow and Newport, South Wales.