Oldbury Court Estate

Oldbury Court Estate is a park in Fishponds, Bristol, about 3 miles (4.8 km) north-east of the city centre.

Oldbury Court Estate
A weir on the River Frome, along Repton's Walk
Location	Fishponds, Bristol grid reference ST 635 768
Coordinates	51°29′20″N 2°31′37″W
Area	23.33 hectares (57.6 acres)
Status	Grade II listed
Website	Oldbury Court Estate

It is a park of Bristol City Council, and is listed Grade II in English Heritage's Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.[1] Its area is 23.33 hectares (57.6 acres); the parkland contains woods and riverside wildlife. The paths along the River Frome form part of the Frome Valley Walkway.[2] There are picnic areas and a children's play park.[3]

History

The estate was mentioned in the Domesday book. In 1667, Robert Winstone purchased the house and land at Oldbury, previously in the Kemys family. He later bought the land on both sides of the River Frome. Thomas Graeme purchased the estate in 1799; the landscape gardener Humphry Repton advised on laying out the grounds.[1][4][5]

Graeme died in 1820, and the estate passed to his sister Margaret, wife of Henry Vassall. In 1937, there being no male heir, Bristol Corporation bought Oldbury Court from the Vassall family, for use as a public park. The mansion house, built about 1600, was in poor condition and was later demolished.[1][4]

References

1. Historic England. "Oldbury Court (1000393)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
2. "Oldbury Court Estate" Woodland Trust. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
3. "Oldbury Court Estate" Bristol City Council. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
4. "History of Oldbury Court Estate" Bristol City Council. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
5. "Oldbury Court". Parks and Gardens. Parks and Gardens. Retrieved 29 August 2019.