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About this place
Backwell House is a Georgian country house in the village of Backwell, North Somerset, roughly a dozen kilometres south-west of Bristol city centre. Built in the early 1800s and listed Grade II, it spent recent years as a boutique hotel. It suits anyone who enjoys English country-house architecture and the story of a family that turned village cricket into a tradition.
What kind of building is it?
The house dates from about 1813 and was commissioned by a successful lawyer from the Long Ashton area. It is a modest two-storey villa on a plinth, faced in ashlar stone under a hipped slate roof. It has been on the National Heritage List for England (entry 1129820) since 1961. The entrance gates and piers about 50 yards north of the house carry their own Grade II listing.
Who lived here?
Several notable residents occupied the house until around 1860. John Robinson, who ran a seed-oil business, bought it in 1861. When he died in 1886 his eldest son, Alfred Roberts Robinson, inherited it and stayed until 1949.
The Robinsons left a mark on local sport. In 1878 the captain of West Town Cricket Club challenged Alfred to a match on August Bank Holiday, and he answered with a side made up entirely of relatives. The Backwell House XI then played every August Bank Holiday until 1964, pausing only during the world wars. In 1891 they faced a team of Graces that included W. G. Grace himself. One of the brothers, Theodore Robinson, went on to play first-class cricket for Somerset.
What is it used for now?
In 2016 the Hobbs family carried out a thorough, sympathetic refurbishment and opened the house as a boutique hotel, which ran until 2022. Today it is private property with no regular public visiting. Check the current owner's arrangements before you go, as access and hire availability can change.
How do you get there?
Backwell lies on the A370 between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. By car it takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes from central Bristol, depending on traffic. Nailsea & Backwell railway station is close to the village. The house stands on private grounds, so from the road you will see only its surroundings.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Backwell House?
It is a private property, not a museum. Entry depends on the owner's permission, and the hotel closed in 2022.
How old is the house?
About 1813. The style is Georgian and the building is listed Grade II.
Why do cricket fans know it?
From 1878 the Robinson family hosted an annual August Bank Holiday match here. In 1891 they played a side of Graces featuring W. G. Grace.
How far is it from Bristol?
About 13 km south-west of the city centre, along the A370.
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