Bristol's Nature Reserves

Callington Road Local Nature Reserve

Introduction

Callington Road Local Nature Reserve was established by Parks and Estates in 2003 and designated a Local Nature Reserve under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 on the 1st October 2009. A wildlife oasis of 6.5 hectares surrounded by urban development, it supports a rich mosaic of wildlife habitats including wildflower meadows, a variety of scrub types, regenerating woodland and a new sustainable dewpond replenished by rainwater.

A Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), the reserve is separated into two distinct areas by an old green lane and public right of way crossing its centre. The 'Field' area lying alongside Callington Road is a legally registered Town Green. The 'Upper slopes' a more remote and quieter refuge for wildlife on steeper ground behind the new Callington Road Hospital, provides sweeping views of Bristol and countryside to the south. Visitors are often surprised by the size of the reserve which stretches as far as Talbot Road, although no access is available at this end.

Download the nature reserve site map and habitat management plan.

Getting there

The nature reserve is located in south Bristol on the boundary between Knowle and Brislington West. Main access is from Callington Road, close to where it joins the A37 Wells Road. Access is also available from Imperial Walk on the north west side of the reserve via the public right of way crossing the site.

Plan your journey to Callington Road Nature Reserve with regional map, journey planner and city map.

Accessibility

Callington Road Nature Reserve is open to the public at all times. Main access from  Callington Road is via kissing gates suitable for wheelchairs. Access from Imperial Walk is via a steep set of steps. A simple path system provides access into the 'Field' and to the dewpond. A further loop provides limited access into the more remote 'Upper Slopes'.

Management

Parks and Estates manages the site in partnership with the Friends of Callington Road Nature Reserve Group. Meadows are hay cut once a year during August with the hay removed to encourage the growth of wildflowers. Scrub thickets will be cut in rotation from time to time to maintain their structural diversity for breeding song birds. New hazel planting once mature will be managed by coppicing.

Community involvement

The Friends of Callington Road Nature Reserve is a community group of local residents involved with setting up the nature reserve which meets 2-3 times a year to discuss and review its management. 

For further information please contact the group's Chairman:

Denis Stuckey, 16 Queens Road, Knowle, Bristol BS4 2LT (Mobile: 0785 555 3261).

Dog Walking

Dog walking is permitted in the 'Field' area with dog bins provided at all entrances. Dogs must be kept on leads on the 'Upper slopes' which are designated a quiet refuge for breeding roe deer and other wildlife.

Facilities

Nature interpretation facilities are to be installed on site in the next couple of years. Please check these pages regularly for further information.

There are no toilet facilities on the reserve.

Flora and fauna

Formerly abandoned allotments, the site supports a variety of urban wildlife including roe deer, foxes, bats, and slow worms. There are also numerous bird and invertebrate species, particularly butterflies with 18 species recorded, and five Avon Notable plant species. The scrub thickets are particularly valuable breeding habitats for a variety of increasingly uncommon song birds. The dewpond, a new habitat, is beginning to attract aquatic wildlife particularly dragonflies which can be seen hunting over adjacent grasslands during the summer. An ecological survey of the nature reserve was carried out in 2005. A follow up monitoring survey is to be carried out in 2008.

History

The site was part of a large area of surplus allotment land part of which was sold for the development of a new hospital in 2003. The adjacent 'Field' area was purchased by the council from a private landowner to add to the new nature reserve. The hospital developer provided funds as a condition of their planning approval to establish the site as a nature reserve which included the construction of new entrances, footpaths, fences and the dewpond, the undertaking of habitat management works and new native tree and shrub planting. A masterplan to guide the development of the site as a nature reserve was prepared following a series of public consultation events during 2003.

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