The panel on the Proctor's fountain records the Act of Parliament passed in 1861 protecting the Down's.

The then Corporation of Bristol got together with the Society of Merchant Venturers to get the act passed to protect the Downs from any development.

No one is allowed to build on it, quarry it, or destroy its character.

Durdham Downs was owned by the Corporation of Bristol and Clifton Downs by the Merchants Ventures since late 1600s.

From the mid 1700s the Clifton area of Bristol became fashionable to live in and big houses were built here.

Although permission was given for some homes many landowners started to expand their gardens out on to the Downs and there was a danger the whole area would become swallowed up.

So the Act of Parliament was passed to protect the area for the citizens of Bristol.

The Downs committee was formed in 1861 to govern the running of the Downs. Six Bristol City council members of Downs committee and six Merchant Venturers look after the running of the area.

A Downs ranger was also appointed in 1861 looking after the practical running of the Downs.

The current Downs Ranger is Gordon Milward. He has been the ranger for the last 30 years.

Walk up the hill a little and on the left is the Lord Mayor's Mansion.
This building is on the corner and has a large crest on the front

On the same triangle of grass as the fountain there are a number of interesting trees: There is an oak with curled leaves, the crustata oak which comes from Savernake Forest in Wiltshire and nowhere else.

Behind that is a massive tree which has lost part of its top. The 'Tree of Heaven' from Indonesia, is so called because the tree grows so tall it was thought the branches reach out into heaven.

Also note the purple beech - there is another specimen just up the road outside the Society of Merchant Venturers Hall.

The Bristol Whitebeam - image by Nicholas J. Wray

Just after the Merchant Venturers is another tree planted - the Bristol Whitebeam.

It is one of two species of tree that only grow in the Avon Gorge. One interesting characteristic of the whitebeams is the underneath of the leaves are covered in white hairs.

Older specimens produce creamy-white flowers in the summer and orange berries in the winter.

Carry on up the road and cross the road where safe.




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