About Yate
Yate is a UK town situated in the south-west of England and lies 11 miles north-east of Bristol in the county of South Gloucestershire. At the 2001 census its population was 21,789. The town is surrounded by countryside and within reach of the cities of Bristol and Bath by bicycle, car, or public transport.
Yate is a UK town situated in the south-west of England and lies 11 miles north-east of Bristol in the county of South Gloucestershire.
Yate can be reached easily by car due to its close proximity to the M4 and M5 motorways.
Every year many fun and exciting events take place in and around Yate, both events run by Yate Town Council and events run by other local organisations in the Yate community.
Find out what's happening in your town and get involved!
The history of Yate is quite considerable. The town is mentioned in the Saxon Chronicles and also in the Domesday Book which makes Yate over 1000 years old. There are many fascinating periods in the history of the town and so much to discover!
Our Useful Contact list contains details for public services and for many local organisations such as nurseries, play groups, schools, doctors, chemists. It's a great place to start if you need to contact your local councils.
Places to Visit around Yate
Yate is within easy reach of many interesting cities:-
- Bristol is 11 miles away and has many attractions including 2 Cathedrals, SS Great Britain, Explore @ Bristol and Durdham Downs and Zoological Gardens.
- Bath, a world heritage site, lies 15 miles away and is famous for its architecture and use of Bath stone. Bath also has many attractions including the Roman Baths, Pump Rooms and Abbey.
- Gloucester is 30 miles away and features a Norman Cathedral and redeveloped dock area.
Other places of interest include:-
- Yate Court – was the seat of the lords of the manor of Yate from at least the early 13th century. It eventually became a dairy farm and remained so until the mid 1990’s.
- Acton Court – dates from the late medieval period and was inextricably linked with the Poyntz family, one of the mightiest families in southern Gloucestershire.
- Badminton – the ancestral home of the Dukes of Beaufort, which hosts the internationally Badminton Horse Trials each May.
- Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust – offers a great day out for all the family and those interested in birds.
- Berkeley Castle – a place of historical interest as it was the scene of the murder of Edward 11.
- Castle Combe – a picturesque Cotswold village and home to a popular motor racing circuit. The scenic area was featured in the “Doctor Doolittle” film.
- Dyrham Park – a William and Mary mansion built at the turn of the eighteenth centre. It is administered by the National Trust and the grounds are extensive.
- Hawkesbury Upton - Tyndale Monument at North Nibley and Stinchcombe Hill – Cotswold vantage points which offer breathtaking views.
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Westonbirt Arboretum – offers 600 acres of rare and unusual trees.
Travelling to and from Yate
Yate is conveniently located for easy access to both the M4 and M5 motorways. Easy access is gained to Wales by the River Severn suspension bridges.
Yate Railway Station
Yate has its own railway station, located on the main Bristol to Birmingham line. Trains are operated by First Great Western. Yate station is 7 miles from Parkway station to connect with trains to London.
Yate Buses
Various bus companies operate regular daily services throughout Yate – AndyBus, Cotswold Edge Bus Company, First Group and Wessex Connect.
Bristol Airport
The nearest airport is Bristol Airport, which is located 18 miles away at Lulsgate, south of Bristol.
Local Authorities
The town council is Yate Town Council. Yate was in Gloucestershire until 1974 when it became part of the newly-formed County of Avon. In 1996 the Avon authority was abolished and the area became part of the unitary authority of South Gloucestershire Council.
Profile of Yate
The figures from the 2001 Census give an interesting insight into the make-up of Yate.
The People of Yate
| People types | No. of People |
|---|---|
| All people | 21789 |
| All males | 10691 |
| All females | 11098 |
| People living in households | 21546 |
| People living in communal establishments | 243 |
| People aged 0-4 | 1446 |
| People aged 5-15 | 3422 |
| People aged 16-24 | 2250 |
| People aged 25-44 | 6914 |
| People aged 45-64 | 5324 |
| People aged 65-74 | 1322 |
| People aged 75 and over | 1111 |
| Mean age of population in the area | 36.25 |
| The information in the table above was collected during the 2001 census, and updated in 2004. (National Statistics) | |
Yate Households
| Household Types in Yate | No. of Households |
|---|---|
| All households | 8567 |
| One person household - Pensioner | 770 |
| One person household - Other | 1270 |
| One Family and no others: All pensioner households | 617 |
| One family and no others: Couple households with no children | 1874 |
| One family and no others: Couple households with dependent children | 2324 |
| One family and no others: Lone parent households with dependent children | 480 |
| One family and no others: All children non-dependent | 852 |
| Other households | 380 |
| The information in the table above was collected during the 2001 census, and updated in 2004. (National Statistics) | |
In the beginning….History of Yate
When many people think of Yate they think of the modern shopping centre, new housing estates and roundabouts and write it off as just another New Town. Yet, Yate boasts a rich heritage extending back 1300 years.
Yate is derived from the Saxon work Gete, Geate or Giete, meaning a gateway into a forest area. A charter of 778AD, mentions Giete when Alfred, King of the Hwicce gave it to St. Mary’s Priory in Worcester. This charter may, however, be a forgery.
In Domesday Book, 1086, Yate was listed as an outlying part of the manor of Westbury-on-Trym and was still held by St. Mary’s, Worcester. Until 1228, the Forest of Kingswood extended from Bristol in the south to Huntingford (near Wotton-under-Edge) in the north and from the Severn estuary in the west to the brow of the escarpment through Hawkesbury, Old Sodbury, and Lansdown in the east.
