Stockwood

Geography

Stockwood forms an outermost southern suburb of the city with much green space; the upper part of Stockwood is set on a plateau surrounded by pasture and the lower part a wooded valley, bordered to its west by the old Bristol to Radstock rail line which is now a cycle way.

The upper estate was built in the 1960s as private housing, together with sheltered elderly accommodation.

On a green-space ridge in front of the pantile-style shopping-precinct there is a good view of the city and events such as the Bristol balloon-fiesta. Below this green space, the rest of Stockwood consists of an earlier estate of previous council housing set on the sides of a steep valley.

Community

Population of about 10,000.

There are two public houses located in Stockwood: The Concorde on Stockwood Lane and The Harvesters on Harrington Road. The uniquely named 'Man in Space' pub was redeveloped to make way for more residential houses and The Antelope was redeveloped to make way for flats.

There are two churches on this upper area: Stockwood Free Church (Baptist) and Christ the Servant (Anglican). There is also a public library, clinic, dentistry practice, vet, optician and pharmacies at the upper shops, together with several different fast-food outlets.

There is a Stockwood Community Facebook Page, where members of the Stockwood community can connect with one another, local businesses and events.

Sport

The area is astride two nearby golf courses Stockwood Vale and Knowle clubs. There are stables and horseriding as well as the nearby Horse World. There is indoor bowls and other social activities at the Anglican Church. There are two community centres.

Youth

There are local Scout and Guides and a Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade. There are two primary schools serving the area as well as nurseries.

Stockwood Open Space

Stockwood Open Space is a local nature reserve. It is an expanse of old farmland and ancient woodland providing a blend of old meadows, thick hedges and woodlands on lime-rich clay soils. It is owned by Bristol City Council and managed as a nature reserve in partnership with the Avon Wildlife Trust. cowslip, Dyer's greenweed, common spotted orchids and bird's-foot trefoil are amongst the flowers to be found, 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. Birds including whitethroats, kestrels and sparrowhawks are often seen. Two farm ponds are homes for frogs, toads and newts.