Walk Along the Brook

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Map of Parish Walk

Stoke Brook
Illustration for walk booklet

This is the junction of four brooks. The longest travels all the way from the MoD site, passing under the A4174 (Station Road), and again under New Road through the playing fields of Filton High School. Another brook emerges from the same source feeding the lake created on the Sun Life site, whilst a third W. travels from Patchway adjacent to Station Road. Finally Stoke Brook, which arises from the overflow near Filton Runway.

 

 

Whitebeam Tree
This was planted in 1995 to celebrate the centenary of Mrs. Higgins.

Sherbourne's Brake
This wood was planted during the 19th century. It stands on a piece of land originally known as Hales Common, and may have been named in honour of Harry Sherbourne, who was living at Watch Elm Farm at the time of the 1851 Census - he was described as a nephew. The largest trees are protected Turkey Oaks at the top of the wood, but look for the felled Poplar close to where the cycle path enters the wood from the south. Several of its off-spring are growing nearby. This wood is an excellent place to see bluebells in spring.

Ancient Hedge
Believed to be 900 years old; it follows an old footpath linking Stoke Gifford with Patchway Common.

Webbs Wood
Believed to be ancient woodland. The spring flora are beautiful; look for the many multi-stemmed trees which were once coppiced to provide wands of woods for various uses. The large, multi-stemmed ash close to the western entrance to the wood, is particularly noteworthy.

Lakeland
Formed by the damming of the three brooks which flow through Bradley Stoke and which meet at this Illustration for walk booklet point. You can see moorhens, ducks and dragonflies.

Savages Wood
The northern edge of the wood follows the original boundary line between the parishes of Patchway and Stoke Gifford - woods which follow such boundaries are usually very old. You can find a mixture of many tall straight trees - oak, ash, beech and hornbeam. The latter two species, found in the south of the wood, are especially good in the autumn. 

Dewfalls Pond
Once used by thirsty livestock. The cobbled edges would have eased the access for the animals, and the pollarded crack willows are worth observing. This pond tends to dry out completely during the summer.

Little Stoke Park
This land once belonged to Little Stoke Farm, a part Elizabethan building which stood on Clay Lane.

Drinking Trough
The old stone trough between the changing rooms at the southern edge of the Park.

Blue Bridge
This was constructed to allow cattle to cross over the railway line, to be milked at Little Stoke Farm. Its name derives from the colour of the brickwork. If you shout underneath it, you will be answered by your echo.

Old Oak Tree
Next to the allotments there is one very old oak tree. The hedge next to the tree marks the old route of the stream which crossed Gypsy Patch Lane and now runs parallel to the railway line. The old watercourse is still there in the hedge.