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Brandon
Hill, 260 feet above the harbourside, is considered to be
Bristol's oldest park and was given to the city council in
1174.
Part of the hill is set aside as a nature park and was the
first of its kind to be established in Britain.
It became a site of nature study in 1981 and a butterfly garden
and two ponds were established, with a meadow of grass allowed
to grow long to encourage wildlife.
From
ancient times, local people used the area in their leisure
time and there is even an old noticeboard on the site, which
points out that carpet beating is allowed - but only at specific
times!
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| Office
workers take time for a lunchtime stroll through the park |
The
hill, high above the harbour, was an important point in the
defense of the city during the Civil War sieges.
Explorer
John Cabot is also honored here by a 105 feet tower which
was built at the end of the 19th Century to celebrate the
400th anniversary of his discovery of North America after
sailing from Bristol.
Inside is a spiral staircase and although the tower was originally
designed to take an eventual lift, Bristol's footsore visitors
are still waiting for it.
The
views from the top are magnificent and you
can share the experience that is a favourite with the
Bristolians.
Although
Brandon hill is popular with the locals, it is a great place
to start your tour of Bristol if you are planning to discover
the city for the first time, as it gives a great vista of
Bristol.
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| Cabot
Tower's red and cream bricks overlook the city |
Children
Youngsters
will enjoy a walk through the parkland, climbing the tower
and make sure you bring some unsalted nuts for the squirrels.
How to get there
Brandon
Hill is just up from the city centre.
Access is from Great George Street, off Park Street, Jacob
Wells Road and Berkeley Square.
Most of the city's buses stop at the top of Park Street and
it's a few minutes walk from there to Brandon Hill.
There is limited parking in the roads off Park Street.
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