| Worle | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Bus hub in Worle, 2022 | |
  Worle Location withinSomerset | |
| OS grid reference | ST355625 |
| Civil parish | |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WESTON-SUPER-MARE |
| Postcode district | BS22 |
| Dialling code | 01934 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°21′28″N2°55′40″W / 51.3578°N 2.9277°W /51.3578; -2.9277 | |
Worle (/wɜːrl/WURL) is a village in thecivil parish ofWeston-Super-Mare, in theNorth Somerset district, in the ceremonial county ofSomerset, England. It is joined to the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare on its western edge. It, however, maintains a very separate identity, and may now be bigger than its more famous neighbour.[citation needed] Worle pre-dates Weston and was mentioned in theDomesday Book of 1086. In the book, it is said that Worle was owned byWalter of Douai, and consisted of 750 acres (3.0 km2) and valued at 6.5 hides. "Walter of Douai holds of the King, Worle. Edgar held it in the time of King Edward, and gelded for six hides and a half."[1] The parish church of St Martin's sits on the side ofWorlebury Hill and overlooks the village.
.jpg)
The name was possibly formed from the Old EnglishWor + leah meaning 'wood or clearing frequented bygrouse', or perhaps 'moormeadow'.[1] The parish was part of theWinterstokeHundred.[2]
Worle has grown dramatically in the last 50 years. That initial development in the 1970s and 1980s included a large number of houses, a Sainsburys supermarket, a secondary school and an ecumenical church (St Marks). However, in recent years a larger range of facilities and amenities have opened up, including large stores, shops, a medical centre, a railway station and additional churches. Weston-super-Mare's Magistrates Court has relocated to Worle. It also has a number of active groups and societies including aLions club.
St Martin's Church was built in 1125 and rebuilt during the 14th and 15th centuries, withmajor restoration and extension work in 1870.[3] The Church is now ecumenical, withMethodist as well asChurch of Englandministers. It is a Grade II*listed building.[3]
The ancient parish of Worle became acivil parish in 1866. The civil parish was abolished on 1 April 1933, when most of the parish was absorbed into Weston super Mare. Smaller areas of the parish joinedKewstoke andLocking.[4] In 1931 the parish had a population of 1995.[5]
TheWeston & Somerset Mercury is the local newspaper.
Worle is located close to junction 21 of theM5 motorway. Bristol is approximately 20 miles (32 km) away and can be accessed by the M5 orA370 road.
There have been four different stations serving Worle since theBristol and Exeter Railway opened on 14 June 1841.[6] For most of this time, the station generally known asPuxton and Worle railway station has served, despite being situated inSt Georges. From 1 March 1884 until 2 January 1922 a more convenient Worle station was provided on the Loop Line. Puxton and Worle closed on 6 April 1964.[7]
There was also aWorle Town station situated much closer to the High Street but only served by theWeston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway from 1897 to 1940.[7]
The present-dayWorle railway station is situated midway between the two former sites and was opened on 24 September 1990.[8] Since 2008 longer express trains have been allowed to stop at Worle's short platform with the express train opening the doors of up to 4 coaches. This has enabled passengers from Worle to travel to London and all the stops in-between. Before most people had to change at eitherWeston-super-Mare railway station orBristol Temple Meads railway station.
Worle has bus connections running every ten minutes into the centre of Weston-super-Mare and bus routes to Bristol and other locations, which is adjacent to the local McDonalds and Sainsburys supermarket, the buses that serve this are: X1, X5, A3, 6, 7, 9 & 611.[9]
| Service number | Route | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| X1 | Weston-super-Mare, Asda Store - Bristol Bus Station | First Bus |
| X5 | Weston-super-Mare - Portishead | |
| A3 | Weston-super-Mare - Bristol Airport | |
| 6 | Weston-super-Mare - Worle | |
| 7 | Locking Parklands - Worle | |
| 9 | Weston-super-Mare - West Wick | |
| 611 | Worle - Bridgewater College - Rodway |
Worle includes two secondary schools,Worle Community School Academy andPriory Community School Academy, and several primary schools, including Becket Primary School,[10] Mendip Green First School,[11] Worle Village Primary, St Martin's Primary, Mead Vale Primary School, Herons' Moor Academy, Castle Batch Primary School and St Mark's Primary School.
Mendip Green Primary School is one of the largest primary schools in the area, with 407 children of 4 – 8 years of age (2008).[12] Mendip Green was one of the first schools in North Somerset achieving Healthy School Status, also it has Leading aspect Award, and a hearing and language resource base.[12]
