Wraxall’s Historic Landmark, Revitalised.
Past
The Battleaxes was designed between 1880-1881 by William Butterfield for Anthony Gibbs of Tyntesfield and was built in 1882. The building served a number of uses over 140 years, a Temperance House, the village hall, caretakers house and estate office but most notably as a single public house. Previously known as the Widdicombe Arms in the 1970s and 1980s.
Present
Now Grade II listed, The Battleaxes has been a meeting place for Wraxall villagers until the closure of the pub in 2020 before lockdown began. The fabric unloved, left behind, and now in disrepair, the Battleaxes deserves to be at the heart of the community once more.
Future
An opportunity has arisen to put The Battleaxes back in the centre of village life, as an outstanding location to experience, live and work. We aim to return the building to being the active hub with the introduction of complementary uses a new low carbon office alongside a handful of bespoke homes.
The Battleaxes’ recent history:
The property, was put up for sale by the free-holder in December 2020 with leisure property specialists Fleurets including all land and out-buildings but excluding the self-contained cottage which is located at the western end of the building at the junction with The Grove.
A planning application to turn the sprawling property into a single home was submitted to North Somerset Council in April 2020 but was subsequently withdrawn after objections from locals. The Council said that, at the time of the Application being submitted, the property had not been on the market long enough to consider the application fully.
The Battleaxes as a single use establishment has proven to be very challenging property, the size and cost of up-keep has proven to be sufficient to undermine it repeatably, as a viable commercial concern;
We aim to return the Grade II Listed Building to active use, whilst respecting its historical character, removing recent additions, whilst improving its overall viability with a number of contemporary improvements enabling a better use of the building.
In order to afford the Battleaxes the best opportunity of success we propose to create space for a number of complementary uses which will afford the building a wider economic platform to build upon.
You can learn more about our plans for The Battle Axes on the proposals page.
