January 23rd, 2026

Last night was the world premiere of Bristol’s Hidden River, a short film by Bristol Avon Rivers Trust. The film follows the River Frome from its quiet rural origins into the heart of Bristol, where it is channelled beneath the city through hidden culverts. it highlights the resilience of the river’s wildlife and the dedication of local communities working to protect, restore and reconnect people with this often overlooked river.

The themes explored in the film are clearly linked to Horfield Common. The springs and naturally wet ground beneath the Common once fed into Horfield Brook, a small stream that historically drained this area. Over time, the brook was culverted and incorporated into the urban drainage system, meaning it now flows underground and is no longer visible. While there is no longer a single open channel that can be followed, historical mapping, local geology and drainage patterns show that water from the Common continues to drain into the River Frome, which then joins the River Avon before reaching the Bristol Channel.

Seen in this wider context, Horfield Common is part of a much larger, interconnected water system and highlights the reasons why looking after local water sources such as springs, ditches and ponds matters. Even small, often overlooked features play a role in supporting wildlife and maintaining the health of the rivers they feed into, both locally and further downstream.