Stoke Park Estate

Overview

• Grade II historic park and garden alongside the M32. The estate has many well known landmarks including the yellow Dower House, the fishing lake and the Purdown BT Tower.
• Opening hours: open at all times
• Admission is free
• Parking is available at adjacent roads - please park with consideration for local residents.
• No public toilets. Nearest public toilet is at Snuff Mills Park, a mile and a half away from Stoke Park.

How to find us

Stoke Park Estate is in Lockleaze and can be accessed from Romney Avenue (BS7), Lockleaze, Jellicoe Avenue (BS16), South Gloucestershire and from Frenchay Park Road (BS16) under the M32 to the entrance at Duchess Gate.

Address
Stoke Park Estate, Duchess Gate, Park Road, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1AU

Map
Google map of Stoke Park Estate

Attractions

• Dew pond (located at the base of the northern slope)
• Fishing lake (also known as Duchess pond)
• Walks (See related documents for downloadable walks sheets)
• Hermitage Tunnel
• Purdown BT Tower
• The Dower House (built in 1563 this used to be a private stately home, but is now converted to private flats)
• Woodland areas and trees
• World War II gun emplacements (located on the upper part of the ridge)

Access

Visitors with wheelchairs and pushchairs should use the Jellicoe Avenue entrance, as other entrances are narrow. Please be advised that the park is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Community groups and associations

The Stoke Park Steering Group is a group of local residents interested in protecting and enhancing the park. Steven England is the chairman of the group and they are currently looking for new members. Please email bristolparks@bristol.gov.uk if you are interested in joining the group.

Management plan consultation

A management plan has been developed outlining the site as it is today, the areas to improve and the steps required to achieve these over the next five years. We have consulted on the plan with the local community and other key stakeholders and partners. More details to follow.

Geology and pre-historic past of Stoke Park

Stoke Park Estate sits 275ft above sea level and has complex geology including

• limestone lias clay of the Jurassic period (149-200 million years ago) when Stoke Park Estate was a tropical sea in the higher regions of the park
• Kuper Marl mudstones formed in fresh water swamp conditions over 190 million years
• Triassic sandstone (250 million years ago) as you get to Duchess Pond - the remains of a super desert when all the continents of the world were still one massive land mass called Pangaea. 

The fossil collection from Stoke Park Estate are currently held in the Glenside Hospital Museum.

Wildlife and conservation

Stoke Park Estate is of particular value for the wide range of species-rich habitats and plant communities. Of particular note are the areas of wildflower rich grassland and blocks of semi-natural ancient woodland. Areas of damp grassland/rush pasture, dense scrub and a large waterbody - Duchess Pond are also present.

Special designations/awards

Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site (RIGS)

RIGS are designated as important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). They are designated by a local RIGS group, that use criteria developed in accordance with national guidance.

Scheduled ancient monuments

"Stoke Park's anti-aircraft batteries - built to protect Bristol during World War II - are a scheduled monument and one of the best preserved examples not only for Bristol but nationally." - English Heritage.

The gun emplacements are located on the upper part of the ridge.

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.