Backwell House open to public for first time

If you’ve ever been to Bristol Open Doors, you’ll know how many amazing hidden places this city has. There are caves once used by smugglers, a 14th century vaulted crypt and tunnelled, funicular railways.  But the one place that you WON’T know about is a place that has remained out of the public eye completely until now…

And that is Backwell House.

The nine-bedroom, luxurious Georgian stately home on Farleigh Rd has quirks and curiosities around every corner. Think vintage-suitcase style basins, a 20ft chandelier in the stairwell, a wood-fired hot tub in the gardens and a cinema room.  There’s an open-air swimming pool, the option of croquet on the lawn and views that stretch across the valley. 

In short, the house and gardens are perfect for weddings, parties, corporate events, film sets and fashion shoots and shows. Being only three miles from the airport is rather handy too.  It really is a little haven of beauty, calm and creativity just on the edge of Bristol. 

For those who’d like to have a snoop around, an open day is scheduled for April 2nd. Taking place from 10 – 5pm, the day will include behind-the-scenes tours and all sorts of party essentials. Expect linked tipis on the lawn, live music, locally sourced nibbles and handpicked suppliers. 

It’s amazing that this charming Georgian House has remained out of the public eye until now. So what made the owners want to open it up to the public? 

Guy Williams, the creative brain behind the venture, explains, “I was introduced to the owners, the Hobbs family, who gave me the opportunity to pitch my ideas for what this beautiful house could become.  I couldn’t stop thinking about what an amazing place this could be for escape-from-the city breaks, parties and weddings.   I was fortunate enough that the Hobbs family backed my vision and put their faith and trust in me to deliver what we hope to be the best place to stay in Bristol.”

The venue used to be the family home of the Robinsons who had made a fortune manufacturing paper bags in Bristol.  They were also avid cricketers. In fact, the Robinson family cricket matches were such memorable events that they even gained Alfred Robinson an obituary notice in The Times newspaper which read: 

“He was head of the large family of Robinson of Somerset and Gloucester and in 1878 started family cricket matches which – but for the interruptions of war – have been played each year.”

From that day until 1964, the Robinsons fielded a cricket team that Bank Holiday against various teams – including one, in 1891, made up entirely by the Grace family.  Yes, the same family from which WG Grace hailed – described by Britannica as “the Greatest Cricketer in Victorian England.”

And if you know Backwell, its playing fields – which include tennis courts and a bowling green – owe their existence to Theodore Robinson who donated the land to the village in 1929.

All photographs taken by Andre Regini.

Make sure you come and look around this fascinating country house on the 2nd April. 

For more information, head to www.backwellhouse.co.uk or email [email protected] 

Address: Backwell House, Farleigh Road, BS48 3QA