Reserves

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 www.bristol-city.gov.uk and managed in partnership with the Trust. The site is a Local Nature Reserve.