Manor Woods

Manor Woods is an informal park in the south west of Bristol. It is owned by Bristol City Council and a site of nature conservation interest. Providing a large green open space for informal recreation, exercise and dog walking as well as being part part of the Malago Greenway cyclepath, it is rich in wildlife and hosts a variety of habitats including ancient woodland, the Malago stream, a pond and species-rich grassland. The area is also visited by kingfisher and heron. The Malago Valley Conservation Group is a voluntary group dedicated to improving the environment in south west Bristol. In 2000 the group has published an interactive guide book describing the value and attractions of the Manor Woods open space, as well as providing a wildlife survey of the park. The group is also involved in maintaining the site by organising yearly amphibian garbage raids in the pond, improving the entrance features in Manor Woods and regular litter collections. Currently Manor Woods has been identified as a ‘community woodland’ which means that the council’s forestry department together with the community is designing a five year woodland management plan.

Royate Hill

Royate Hill is situated in North East Bristol and encompasses two disused railway embankments linked by a seven span brick viaduct that was constructed in the 1870s to form part of the Clifton Extension Railway. Due to its importance for urban wildlife, Avon County Council designated Royate Hill in 1986 as a County Wildlife Site to protect it from development. In mid 1992 however, contractors started to bulldoze the site – about a third of it including 100-year-old trees, was destroyed. Locals, Avon Wildlife Trust and a range of environmental charities joined forces and managed to get a court injunction against the developers. After a five year campaign by local residents the site was bought, through compulsory purchase agreement by the Avon Wildlife Trust. Nowadays the site is an important wildlife haven in a highly urbanised area and is jointly managed by Bristol Council and the Wildlife Trust in the form of the Royate Hill Volunteers who meet monthly to work on the site. The group’s activities include habitat maintenance, species surveys and projects with a local watch-group.

Thingwall Park Allotments

Thingwall Park Allotments is a traditional allotment site in Bristol inner city. Owned by the local council it is one of the biggest allotment sites in Bristol with more than 200 plots. The site is used by a wide section of society making it a multi-cultural garden. As a result of its size and its closeness to Eastville Park and River Frome it is an important wildlife corridor in the city. Fromeside Allotment Association manages the site for the council and also runs an allotment shop.