Living in a city is great, especially when you’re a student. There’s an endless list of places to go, things to do and opportunities to be had. This is exciting, but also overwhelming. Sometimes it’s a nice to escape for a while, in search of the kind of peaceful feeling that can only be found in the dappled shade of a big tree. When I was living in University Hall last year, I spent quite a bit of time wandering about Stoke Bishop and the wider North West Bristol area, looking for somewhere green to relax. Of course you can go to the Downs, or Brandon Hill, but they get boring after a while. This is a list of a few of my favourite green places that are slightly off the beaten track, all of which are a walk or cycle ride away from the Stoke Bishop halls.
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Blaise Castle Estate
A mere 22 minutes away from Stoke Bishop on foot, the Blaise Castle Estate is an ideal place to go for some quiet time to think. The site consists of an old stately home set in a large green field, surrounded by woodland. The castle itself is set on the hillside and was built by the owners for fun in 1811. It looks like a giant stone toy. I would suggest entering the park via the Dingle and walking along the path by Hazel Brook. The paths within the park are suitable for wheelchairs, though the dingle is very steep. Blaise is beautiful all year round, but I like it best in autumn, when the leaves of the trees turn gold.
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The Gorge
If you follow Saville Road along to Rockleaze and then Circular Road, you will eventually reach the edge of the downs. To the left is a stunning view of the suspension bridge, to the right, the Severn estuary can just about be seen on a clear day. From here, you can take a footpath into the gulley, where you can sunbathe on large slabs of rock and watch the wild goats. Another way to experience the gorge is from below. You can follow a footpath through the undergrowth off Clifton Down (the road) all the way to the bottom of the gorge. It isn’t particularly peaceful because of the traffic noise but you get a great view of the suspension bridge and it’s deliciously eerie at night.
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Abbot’s Pool
Unless you live in Hillside Woodside, Abbot’s Pool is a bit of a trek, but it’s only half an hour away from Stoke Bishop by bike. You can also get there by taking a bus that runs from the city centre. However you travel, the journey is worth it. Abbot’s Pool is a large, glassy pond that was created in the medieval period to farm fish. The water is surrounded by mature woodland and the whole place feels like something out of a nostalgic childhood memory. The best time to visit is definitely summer, when you can swim in the pool and have a BBQ.
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The Botanic Garden
Some people might think this one’s pretty obvious, but I never knew it was there until the end of my first year. The Botanic Garden can be found just outside The Holmes (the building which is part of Churchill and looks like an old mansion). Here you’ll find winding paved walkways, bordered on either side by interesting plants from around the globe. There are also several greenhouses, all stuffed with tropical plants and cacti. Members of the public have to pay a fiver to get in here but it’s free for students and staff of the university (if you bring your U Card), so you may as well go and have a look. It’s also a great place to take your family when they come to visit.
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Old Sneed Park
Old Sneed Park isn’t large, consisting simply of a meadow and a pond, secluded by trees. For that reason it’s a nice place to go for a quiet sit down, or even to do work if it’s sunny. The park is a ten minute walk away from Stoke Bishop and actually difficult to find, but it’s definitely worth a visit. I’d suggest going in spring or summer, when the wild flowers are out.