Victoria Park, Bristol
Victoria Park is a park and open space near Bedminster, Bristol.[1] It lies to the east of Bedminster railway station and south of the Bristol to Exeter line.[2]
| Victoria Park | |
|---|---|
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  Location within Bristol | |
| Type | Public park |
| Location | Bedminster, Bristol, England |
| Coordinates | 51°26′27″N 2°35′13″W |
| Area | 51.5 acres (20.8 ha) |
| Created | c. 1885 |
| Operated by | Bristol City Council |
| Status | Open year round |
| Website | www |
The park features tennis courts, a bowling green, a 1.7-kilometre (1.1 mi) marked route for joggers, various exercise stations and a children's play area.[1]
History
The park was established in the 1880s following the expansion of Bedminster as a residential and industrial area within Bristol. The council bought 51.5 acres (20.8 ha) of land from Sir John Henry Greville Smyth for £20,678 (now £2,316,000), though the land had been used as an unofficial open space and meeting area for some time before this. By 1887, a children's play area had been installed which became immediately popular. The streets around the park were laid out in 1891. By 1898, four rangers were permanently employed in the park, and a bandstand had been installed. Several drinking fountains and a circular pond had also been established.[3]
In 1984, a Water Maze was built in the park, modelled on the bosses on the roof of the church of St Mary Redcliffe. It was built over a 12th-century pipeline supplying water from a spring at Knowle Hill to Redcliffe, which is the subject of the annual St Mary Redcliffe Pipe Walk. The maze was opened in conjunction with work elsewhere to stop sewage water discharging into the River Avon.[3]
Events
A number of annual events take place in the park. It is a performance venue for the Art on the Hill Arts Trail, which has been held on the first weekend in October since 2007.[4] The park has also hosted a number of open-air films, profits from which are used towards its upkeep.[5]
References
- "Victoria Park". Bristol City Council. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- "Victoria Park, Bristol". Google Maps. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- "History and Structures of Victoria Park". Bristol City Council. May 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- "Bristol's art trails and open studios". Bristol City Council. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- "Cutthroat Island is the brilliantly AWFUL film showing at Bristol's Victoria Park this summer". Bristol News. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.