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32. Stockwood Open Space
Grid ref: 625 693 / Area: 24.5 hectares
This expanse of old farmland on the edge of Bristol
contains a surprising number of habitats. A fascinating
blend of old meadows, thick hedges and woodlands, it
also has a panoramic view of south Bristol.
How to get there
Between Stockwood
and Brislington on the south-east fringe of Bristol.
Parking at end of Stockwood Road, buses to Stockwood
Road and The Coots.
We encourage visitors to use environmentally friendly
forms of transport wherever possible. Most of our reserves
are easily accessible by bicycle, with many close to
the National Cycle Network. Click
here to view a location
map of the reserve on the National Cycle Network website.
Access
Tarmac paths provide access
for wheelchairs. Cycleway crosses the reserve.
Wildlife and conservation
This old
farmland on the edge of urban Bristol is extremely
rich in wildlife. Most of the reserve is old grassland
and unploughed meadows on lime-rich clay soils. Cowslip,
dyer's greenweed and bird's-foot trefoil provide
splashes of yellow here in summer, and numerous butterflies
include meadow brown, marbled white and large skipper.
The wood known as Ilsyngrove is very old and the home
of bluebell, yellow archangel and the rare Bath asparagus.
The thick hedges are full of birds and are ideal for
many nesting warblers such as whitethroats. Two farm
ponds are homes for frogs, toads and newts.
On the edge of the reserve an old rubbish tip has
been planted with shrubs, trees and grassland flowers
and has developed into a wildlife haven. Kestrels and
sparrowhawks often hunt over this area.
In July half of the grassland is cut for hay and in
winter some of the scrub is removed. The woodland is
also coppiced to open up the wood for wildflowers and
butterflies.
Further information
Stockwood Open Space is owned by Bristol City Council
and managed in partnership with the Trust. The site
is a Local Nature Reserve.
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