Callington Road Local Nature Reserve

Callington Road was established by the council 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, mixed scrub, regenerating woodland and a new dewpond which is replenished by rainwater.

The site is managed in partnership with the Friends of Callington Road Nature Reserve.

Visitor information

Location

The nature reserve is located in Brislington, south Bristol on the boundary between Knowle and Brislington West. Main access is from Callington Road (BS4 5XX), close to where it joins the A37 Wells Road. Access is also available from Imperial Walk (BS14 9XX) on the west side of the reserve via the public right of way crossing the site.

Accessibility

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. 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. 

Opening hours

Callington Road is open all year round.

Toilets

There are no public toilets at Callington Road Local Nature Reserve. The nearest public toilet is at Tesco (Callington Road). 

What to see and when

Spring

• Primroses are the first of the flowers to appear at the sides of the green lane in January.
• These are followed later by cowslips in the field, and bluebells in the copse near the dewpond.
• Deciduous trees start to form their leaves. In late spring, plum and hawthorn blossom appears.
• Hedgehogs and slow worms come out of hibernation.
• Look out for chaffinch, robin, wren, blackbird, goldfinch, blue and great tit, sparrow, whitethroat particularly in the trees and bushes of the upper slopes.
• Watch out for larger birds such as jays and green woodpecker (often seen searching for ants in the field). Brimstone butterflies are one of the first to appear in early March.

Summer

• Look at the wildflower meadow in the upper slopes as it is rich in wild flowers including evening primrose, purple loosestrife, golden rod, oxeye daisy, forget-me-not and vetch.
• Enjoy yellow iris and fringed water lily flower in the ponds.
• Observe the many insects flying, including dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies and moths. (Including burnet, common blue, large skipper, small skipper, meadow brown, and comma)
• Watch out for bats flying at dusk over the tall trees lining the green lane.

Autumn

• Michaelmas daisies are in bloom on the upper slopes, and various fruits and berries are present on trees and bushes.
• This is the start of the season for a wide selection of fungi to appear including snowy wax cap, field blewet, jews ear, candle snuff fungus, shaggy ink cap, butter bolete, brown roll rim and beafsteak fungus.

Winter

• The deciduous trees and bushes start to lose their leaves.
• Resident birds are joined by winter visitors such as redwing, fieldfare, blackcap and brambling.

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 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. The adjacent field area was purchased by the council from a private landowner to add to the new nature reserve. A master plan to guide the development of the site as a nature reserve was prepared following a series of public consultation events during 2003.

Special designations/awards

Site of Nature Conservation Interest - a designation used in many parts of the United Kingdom to protect areas of importance for wildlife at a county scale.

Community engagement

The Friends of Callington Road Nature Reserve is a community group of local residents involved with the management of the nature reserve which meets two to three times a year. For further information please contact the group's chairman, Denis Stuckey on 0785 555 3261, email denstuckey@waitrose.com or visit the website.