| Axbridge | |
|---|---|
 Axbridge High Street | |
  Axbridge Location withinSomerset | |
| Population | 2,057 [1] |
| OS grid reference | ST431545 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | AXBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | BS26 |
| Dialling code | 01934 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°17′13″N2°48′54″W / 51.287°N 2.815°W /51.287; -2.815 | |
Axbridge is a town inSomerset, England, on theRiver Axe, near the southern edge of theMendip Hills. Its population according to the2011 census was 2,057.[1]
Axanbrycg is suggested as the source of the name, meaning a bridge over the River Axe, in the early 9th century.[2]
Early inhabitants of the area almost certainly include theRomans (who are known to have minedlead on the top of the Mendips) and, earlier still, prehistoric man, who lived in the local caves and whoseflint tools have been found on the slopes of the local hills. The history of Axbridge can be traced back to the reign ofKing Alfred, when it was part of theSaxons' defence system forWessex against theVikings. In theBurghal Hidage, a list ofburhs compiled in 910, it was listed asAxanbrycg.[3] A listing of Axbridge appears inDomesday Book of 1086 asAlse Bruge, meaning 'axe bridge' fromOld Englishisca andbrycg.[4]
It was part of the royal manor of Cheddar and part of theWinterstokeHundred.[5][6]
It was granted aroyal charter in 1202, whenKing John sold most of the royal manor of Cheddar to theBishop of Bath and Wells. Axbridge grew in theTudor period as a centre forcloth manufacture, This was reflected in its early royal charters allowing it to hold markets and fairs, and become a royal borough. It even had its own mint, with coins showing the town's symbol: the Lamb and Flag.[7] Trade was possible as theRiver Axe was navigable to wharves at Axbridge.[8]
Later the town's importance declined, which led to stagnation and the preservation of many historic buildings in the town centre. These includeKing John's Hunting Lodge (actually aTudor building) which is now used as a museum.
Axbridge is a very old borough and sent members to parliament in the reigns ofEdward I andEdward III.[9]
During the 19th and early 20th centuries iron ore was extracted from the hill above and east of Axbridge.[10]
Axbridge railway station, on theCheddar Valley line, opened on 3 August 1869. It closed to goods traffic on 10 June 1963 and to passengers on 9 September 1963. The route of the railway is now theA371 Axbridge bypass, but the station buildings and goods shed still survive.[11]
In April 1973, many residents died inInvicta International Airlines Flight 435, the worst aviation accident in Swiss history, with those from Cheddar and Winscombe.[12]
The Square was used as the setting for aNatWest Bank television advert in the early 1990s, and in particularAxbridge Town Hall doubled as a NatWest branch.[13] Ironically a real branch of NatWest, in the High Street, was closed not long afterwards and the premises are now private residential accommodation. In 2017 several locations in the town were used for aThatchers Cider television commercial, which featured a hot air balloon.[14]
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Thetown council has responsibility for local issues. The town council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, andneighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security and traffic. The town council also initiates projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, and consults with the district council on the maintenance, repair and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council. Each year members of the town council elect a mayor for the town.[15] Axbridge Town Council is based atAxbridge Town Hall.[16]
Forlocal government purposes, since 1 April 2023, the town comes under theunitary authority ofSomerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of thenon-metropolitan district ofSedgemoor, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under theLocal Government Act 1972, having previously been part ofAxbridge Rural District.[17]
The town is in Axevaleelectoral ward. Axbridge is the most populous area but the ward stretches south toChapel Allerton. The total ward population as taken at the2011 census is 4,261.[18]
It is also part of theWells and Mendip Hillscounty constituency represented in theHouse of Commons. It elects oneMP by thefirst-past-the-post system of election.
In 2012, The Roxy community cinema was reopened after a five-year renovation programme. This was aided by theBig Lottery Fund, and re-used old seats from theColston Hall in Bristol. It has 32 seats and anart deco box office.[19] The premises used to be the Axbridge Lionpub, aGeorgian Grade IIlisted building.[20][21]
The Axbridge Film Society is based at the cinema.[22] In 2016 volunteers raised £5,000 for repairs to the cinema and plans have been drawn up for further refurbishment and the installation of new sound and projection equipment.[23]
The 13th-century parishChurch of St John is a grade Ilisted building.[24]
Work on the current building began in the early 15th century, and grew from an earlier building dating back to about 1230. The church is built oflimestone and decorated with Doulting stone, while the steps are an interesting example ofdolomiticconglomerate, which is known aspuddingstone.[25] The crossing tower is over 100 feet (30 m) high, and holds six bells, one of which dating from 1723 was made by Edward Bilbie of theBilbie family.[26] The statue on the east side is that ofSt John the Baptist. On the west side is a king — perhapsHenry VII, which would place it after 1485. The north-aisle ceiling retains some mediaeval painted panels, and amongst the carved bosses is the head of aGreen Man, with leaves sprouting around his face.[27] The nave roof is Jacobean and dates from 1636.[25] Restoration was undertaken in 1888 byJ.D. Sedding, who contributed the fineparclose screens.
In contrast to the much larger settlement ofCheddar immediately to the south east that remains a village, Axbridge is a town. This apparently illogical situation is explained by the relative importance of the two places in historic times. While Axbridge grew in importance as a centre for cloth manufacture in theTudor period and gained a charter fromKing John, Cheddar remained a more dispersed dairy-farming village until the advent of tourism and the arrival of the railway in theVictorian era.[28]
The Axbridge Union workhouse was erected in 1837 on the south side of West Street in Axbridge. The Poor Law Commissioners authorised expenditure of £4,496 17s 6d on construction of the building, which was intended to accommodate 250 inmates. It was designed by Samuel T Welch, who was also the architect of workhouses atWells andClifton. By 1929 the workhouse had become officially known as Axbridge Poor Law Institution.[29]
On the Saturday of the first Bank Holiday weekend in May, the annual Somerset Showcase took place. This includes craft displays and market, farmers' market, entertainment, exhibitions and live music in the evening. September sees the annual Blackberry Carnival, Fair in the Square and Harvest Home, which was introduced in 2007. Other events throughout the year include the Progressive Supper and Santa in the Square. Since 2009, a Concert by Candlelight has been held in the Church of St John the Baptist to coincide withEarth Hour, when people try to reduce their electricity usage.
Axbridge hosts one of the few remaining historical pageants in the UK every 10 years. This started in 1967 in celebration of the opening of the bypass. The next pageant was in 1970 and there has been one every decade since then except the 2020 pageant which was delayed until 2022 because of theCOVID-19 pandemic. The pageant features a cast of 300 and charts the town's history in 15 scenes featuring battles, riots and fights with live music, horses and livestock, plus a train and vintage cars. The 2022 pageant programme was expanded to be a small festival with live music in the evenings.[30]
Axbridge Cricket Club was established in 2004, and plays around 35 friendly matches per season. The club also enjoys an annual club tour and plays other friendly sides around the Somerset county.
The town holds a farmers' market in The Square on the first Saturday of each month.[31]
