Badock's Wood
Running down from Southmead to Westbury-on-Trym is a lovely stretch of trees, path and river known as Badock’s Wood. I found myself there on Saturday afternoon, with Sandy and Doug the Dug (aka Eric). They were out for the normal dog-walking (scurrying about ) exercise, and I tagged along for the old man walking (no scurrying) exercise.
As usual, in such beautiful places, the sun shone, the trees provided some welcome shade to appreciate the cool breeze and the singing birds were accompanied by the babbling brook (River Trym). It was yet another oasis or paradise spot within a built-up area of city housing. It was a lovely experience, and I understand it is popular with the residents of the surrounding housing areas. I really enjoyed seeing the very ornate bench carved from the tree, along with everything else.
Despite its small size it is well worth a visit. The sixteen-acre site is managed and maintained by Bristol City Council (although also listed on the Woodland Trust website).
The site contains the obvious woodland, with hard paths, soft paths and tracks disappearing in amongst the trees. There is also a small pond and fields of wild flowers, planted by the local schoolchildren. I understand that you might also find dragonflies at some points in the year, and bats in the evening, and the site is designated as a local nature reserve.
The woods are estimated to be over 400 years old, and there is a round barrow at the northern end of the site. The site was donated to the council in 1937 by Richard Badock, and has been known as Badock’s Wood ever since.
Fraser
May 2022
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it's a bit of paradise!! I'm in a stressed football-induced babble... could do with being in Badock's