Coalpit Heath

Coalpit Heath is a small village in the parish of Westerleigh, South Gloucestershire, England, south of Yate and east of Frampton Cotterell in South Gloucestershire.

Coalpit Heath
The South Wales Main Line viaduct at Coalpit Heath
Coalpit Heath Location within Gloucestershire
Population	c. 1886 in 803 households (according to 2011 census)
OS grid reference	ST675806
Unitary authority	South Gloucestershire
Ceremonial county	Gloucestershire
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BRISTOL
Postcode district	BS36
Dialling code	01454
Police	Avon and Somerset
Fire	Avon
Ambulance	South Western
UK Parliament	Northavon

Background

Bitterwell Lake
(see Henfield)

Coalpit Heath Cricket Club
(see Ram Hill)

Due to the expansion of Coalpit Heath and the neighbouring villages in the late 20th century, the borders of Coalpit Heath with Frampton Cotterell have become vague. The village contains three Pubs, one post office, a 27-hole golf course The Kendleshire,[1] and a few local shops. The village also includes a parish church, and a local primary school, The Manor CofE VC Primary school.[2]

It was founded as a coal mining settlement. One pit was on Frog Lane at ST 685 815 (to the north east of the village). Other mines operated between Mays Hill and Nibley to the north and at Ram Hill and Henfield to the south.[3] These were served by a railway line, closed some decades ago and no longer visible on the ground. In 1949 the coal ran out, and since then it has become a sought after place to live, with fields and easy accommodation. The South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group (SGMRG) has done a lot of research into the history of mining in the area. When the Kendleshire golf course was built, the remains of many bell pits were found and there are probably many more in the area.

Frampton Cotterell lies along the northwest border, but the rest of the village is surrounded by the rolling Cotswold countryside, stocked full of wildlife and country pursuits.

St. Saviour's Church lies within the village.[4] It was designed by William Butterfield in 1844 and was his first Anglican Church.[5]

Amenities used and supported by the village include Bitterwell Lake at Henfield and Coalpit Heath Cricket Club at Ram Hill.

Coalpit Heath in literature

A number of sources, including Frank Barrett's book Where Was Wonderland? A Traveller's Guide to the Settings of Classic Children's Books, cite Coalpit Heath as the setting for the Dick King Smith children's book The Sheep-Pig, later adapted for film as Babe.[6]

The South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group have written two books (more to be published soon) on Coalpit Heath and the surrounding area. including 'Frog Lane'[7] and 'Kingswood Coal'.[8]

References

1. "The Kendleshire". The Kendleshire. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
2. "The Manor Church of England Primary School". The Manor Church of England Primary School. Archived from the original on 5 January 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
3. Ordnance survey one-inch map of Great Britain, Sheet 156 Bristol and Stroud, Seventh series 1949, 1963 revision
4. "St Saviour's Church". St Saviour's Church. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
5. "Beginnings". Coalpit Heath. Archived from the original on 15 October 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
6. Smith, Joseph (13 July 2018). "The Bristol farm which inspired Babe the pig could be turned into houses – but author Dick King-Smith's family is fighting back". Bristol Live. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
7. Frog Lane Colliery (PDF). South Gloucestershire Mining Research Group. ISBN 9781899889334. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011.
8. Kingswood Coal. South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group. ISBN 978-0-9553464-2-2.

External links