Abbots Leigh
Abbots Leigh is a civil parish in Somerset. It is around 3 miles west of the middle of Bristol.
Originally, the Middle English name of the village was Lega, and it didn't become Abbots Leigh until the mid-12th century. It has a modest population of 799.
The village has an unusual history. The manor house, which is named after the village, housed Charles II when he left to go to France in 1651. He stayed with friends of the King's travelling companion and they weren't aware of the King's identity during his stay. There is a footpath called Monarch's Way that marks the King's escape route through Abbots Leigh.
Abbots Leigh has a Gothic church of the Holy Trinity, founded in the 15th century. It was restored and partially reconstructed between 1847-48 after a fire. The tower has six bells, and three of them were cast by William Bilbie in 1781. It is a Grade II listed building under English Heritage.
Leigh Woods surrounds Abbots Leigh and is maintained by the National Trust. There are many walk maps available online for visitors to take part in.
If you live in Abbots Leigh and need to carry out some home improvements, ensure you look at quotations from a minimum of three trusted businesses before you make a decision on who to choose.