Manor Woods Valley Local Nature Reserve

Manor Woods Valley forms an important green corridor through south west Bristol with a string of habitats including wetland, scrub, wildflower meadows and ancient woodland.

Visitor information

Location

Manor Woods Valley is in Bishopsworth, south west Bristol. Access is from St Peter's Rise (BS13 7XX) or Vale Lane (BS3 5XX).

Accessibility

A tarmac track runs through the length of the site, offering good access for cyclists, walkers and wheelchairs. Footpaths through the woods are more informal.

Opening hours

Manor Woods Valley is open all year round.

Toilets

There are no public facilities at Manor Woods Valley Local Nature Reserve. The nearest public toilets are at Bridgewater Road (opposite 13, Brunel Road) and Sainsbury's, Winterstoke Road. 

What to see and when

Spring

• Enjoy hazel with its bright yellow catkins.
• Watch out for the snowy white blackthorn blossoms.
• Experience the amazing smell of wild garlic in the woodland.
• The delicate mauve-tinted cuckoo flower starts growing in damp areas.

Summer

• Experience the dense canopy of ash, sycamore, wych elm and oaks in the woodland.
• Try and find Butterbur with its enormous umbrella like leaves along the streamside.
• Look out for bats swooping and diving above the water in the evening.
• The meadow is bursting with wildflowers – look out for oxeye daisy, knapweed and bird’s foot trefoil.
• The meadow is also alive with butterflies such as common blue, meadow brown and marbled white.
• Cinnabar moths and its brightly striped caterpillars swarm over the yellow ragwort.

Autumn

• Search for the heavy indigo fruits of blackthorn.

Winter

• Fieldfares and redwings search for the last fruits.

History

According to the Domesday Book of 1086 Bishopsworth had two manors. The description of one the manors matches the modern Manor Woods which follows a long narrow strip of woodland along the Malago stream. In 1600, much of Manor Woods became part of the Headley Farm and the track which led to the farm still exists today. Throughout the Industrial Revolution, Bedminster turned into a densely populated suburb, however Manor Woods remained a strip of land surrounded by urban development. In 1998, Manor Woods became part of the Bishopsworth and Malago Conservation Area which provides additional protection against unsuitable development.

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 Malago Valley Conservation Group is actively involved in the management of Manor Woods Valley Local Nature Reserve and organises a variety of events and talks throughout the year. They have also published an innovative guide “My Manors Wood Book” specifically aimed at families. If you would like to get involved please call the Malago Valley Conservation Group on 0117 964 3106 or email info@mvcg.org.uk.