General information

Glenavon Park, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9

Introduction

This reserve of 6.6 hectares is located in Sneyd Park in the valley lying between Old Sneed Park and the Severn Beach railway line. The entrance is in Glenavon Park. The site is important for wildlife and supports a range of habitats including wildflower meadows, bramble scrub, a lake and woodland.

Access

The main pedestrian access is from Glenavon Park. There is also access from Cavendish Gardens and via the footpath along the railway line.

A footpath runs through the site, parts of which have been surfaced in the past with gravel and chippings. A footpath along the north west woodland edge is blocked by brambles and windblown trees.

Plan your visit to Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve with city map, journey planner and regional map.

Conservation status

The site is designated a county C4 site, part of the River Avon wildlife corridor, public open space, and site of archaeological importance.

Geology

The eastern part of the site overlies acidic sandstone. The central part of the site overlies neutral (marine) sand and the western field D has an alluvial clay substrate. The hydrology is unclear, with the inflow and outflow of the lake being culverted. A possible source is the stream in Sea Mills Wood to the north. Storm drains from recent residential developments also enter the lake, bringing an increase in silt.

Community and user groups

The Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve was formally launched in 1996 with the aim of working with Bristol City Council to improve the amenity, safety and access of the site. The group is now a registered charity with education and conservation aims.

Fund raising, work parties, talks and field visits are included in the group’s event programme and grants have been procured for development of the site. An early project was the restoration of the lake and funding was obtained for repairing the stone lining and the dam. In 2000 a path was opened through the woodland.

The most recent grant, from the Peoples-Places scheme, has been spent, amongst other activities, on woodland thinning and some on improvement to the main path. The group has also obtained funding to implement a five-year plan to manage the reserve and to make it more accessible to all members of the public.

The Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature Reserve always welcome new members and enquiries about their activities and produce regular newsletters. Call 0117 968 6799 or email stonebridges@blueyonder.co.uk The group does not currently have its own website.

Contact us

You can call Bristol Parks on 0117 922 3719 or email: bristolparks@bristol.gov.uk  Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm (4.30pm Friday). Alternatively you can text us on 0771 039 6713 to report flytipping, graffiti, or make any other comments about Bristol's parks and green spaces. Please provide as much information and specific details as possible about the location attaching any supporting photographs. We will only call you back if we require further information.

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