"Everything is Connected": More History Walks in Stoke Park

The Stoke Park Project is a collaboration between Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, Bristol City Council and Steve England Outdoor Learning.

We are working together to promote community conversations about your heritage conservation priorities and which access improvements are needed for Stoke Park.

Steve, a white middle aged man in a hat, holds a map towards the camera. There are clumps of people with umbrellas behind.

This weekend included our 18th event, a less walk more talk History of Purdown event, and what a wet start we had! Our thanks to the 19 people who joined us as we explored this part of the park in the rain.

We learnt ancient history and more modern, including the sloping football pitches of Purdown Open Space, the various old farms and the oddly named Creep Snail lane- the outline we saw remains to this day.

“Really good to have passionate local people getting people talking about Stoke Park. We really enjoyed it.“

twenty people of all different ages walk up a grassy slope to the purdown tower on a grey day.

We followed Sir Johns Lane to compare the original tower to the iconic BT Tower and speculated about why there is no aircraft warning light on top and the mystery of whether there really are underground bunkers.

We explored the Gun Battery learning about the battalion stationed there, and saw photos of the anti aircraft guns and the remains of the bomb crater nearby.

We also heard about the many ways the site has been used over the years including the people who made it their temporary home and we got to meet the famous goats, who were having their brunch delivered by Carol from Street Goat.

twenty people with umbrellas gather in front of brightly graffitid concrete gun battery structures

“First time hearing about the goats and seeing them and learning more about the gun battery.“

wet muddy steps go down to a gate, with a yellow house on a hill in the background. it's wet but the sun is out.

The rain finally stopped and we carried on to hear about the Dower House and visited the remains of Horatii Tomb with its excellent view of Elm Tree Farm, which was part of the institute and is now one of the few care farms in the country.

“There’s so much to learn- can’t wait for the audio tour“

We also learnt about Heath House and Beech House and its connection with the famous reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy as well as the Beaufort and Smyth families and their connections to Stoke Park.

“It’s so interesting how everything is connected- today brought the history alive- thank you.“

Thank you all for joining us and for all your questions. It was a great way to spend a wet winter morning with such a friendly and interested group.

Throughout the walk we discussed the importance of feedback for this project and how the events and surveys are supporting people to join the conversation to capture your priorities. Attendees please don’t forget to complete your feedback!

You can join in the conversion today even if you don’t join us for an event by doing the survey here.
You are very welcome to join us as we explore Stoke Park together on more free events- book now.
To report an issue in the park click here.
To join the Rangers and weekly volunteer group or monthly litter pick group click here.

“I think conversations about how we can all do more to protect parks are really important”