Horfield Common is one of the largest public green spaces in Bristol, covering approximately 17 hectares (including the Wellington Hill Playing Field). Sitting in the north of the city, and running from SW to NE, it stands on one of the highest points in Bristol (about 87 metres above sea level), with sweeping views towards Dundry Hill and the Mendip Hills.
The Common has a mix of recreational features, mosaic of wildlife habitats, and a strong community focus. The site includes a mix of open grassland, tree-lined avenues, scrub, small copses, hedgerows, and a wildlife pond. The underlying heavy clay soil suggests the area was historically marshy, which contributes to the damp areas and pond. Areas of longer grass and hedgerow support various butterflies and other pollinating insects. The current wildlife pond is a key site for frogs, newts and other invertebrates, and a second pond is planned for late 2025.
The Ardagh and Horfield Leisure Centre sit at either end of the space, making it perfect for sports, leisure and outdoor activities and there are marked routes for jogging, and there are play areas for children close to both centres.
The Common's boundaries are shown on this map (available for download from here) :
The Common has a mix of recreational features, mosaic of wildlife habitats, and a strong community focus. The site includes a mix of open grassland, tree-lined avenues, scrub, small copses, hedgerows, and a wildlife pond. The underlying heavy clay soil suggests the area was historically marshy, which contributes to the damp areas and pond. Areas of longer grass and hedgerow support various butterflies and other pollinating insects. The current wildlife pond is a key site for frogs, newts and other invertebrates, and a second pond is planned for late 2025.
The Ardagh and Horfield Leisure Centre sit at either end of the space, making it perfect for sports, leisure and outdoor activities and there are marked routes for jogging, and there are play areas for children close to both centres.
The Common's boundaries are shown on this map (available for download from here) :
Map by Liz Porter at graphicsgarden.co.uk
Places of Interest on the Common
The Ardagh
A central point on the Common is the Ardagh, which is a community centre run by The Ardagh Community Trust and houses a café, public gardens, tennis/basketball courts and a sauna. Community Services include a daily café (dog friendly), a monthly Repair Café, food and craft markets and community gardening, and there are links with forest schools to provide outdoor learning for children and families. The Ardagh holds lots of events throughout the year! For more info, please see The Ardagh's website.
Wellington Hill Playing Field
The Wellington Hill Playing Field, with its Town Green status (since 2014), is another valuable asset for recreation, offering a junior football pitch (grass, not floodlit).
Horfield Parish Church (Holy Trinity with St Edmund, Horfield)
This church sits central to the Common, and is notable for the beautiful trees in and around its churchyard. To find out more about the history of Horfield Common, please visit this website.
Horfield Leisure Centre
At the north eastern end of the Common, Horfield Leisure Centre (and the adjacent Horfield Playing Field) provides further facilities, including café, swimming pools, fitness studio, gym, crèche /nursery, soft play, sports hall, squash courts, football pitches and outside skatepark. The centre runs structured activity programmes for children during school holidays.
Other Places of Historical Interest
The W.D. Watt Victorian Lamp & Water Fountain (Abbots Way Field, on the junction of Wellington Hill and Kellaway Avenue).
Grade II listed Victorian Urinal (Weston Crescent Field, by the junction of Western Road and Gloucester Road).
The Ardagh
A central point on the Common is the Ardagh, which is a community centre run by The Ardagh Community Trust and houses a café, public gardens, tennis/basketball courts and a sauna. Community Services include a daily café (dog friendly), a monthly Repair Café, food and craft markets and community gardening, and there are links with forest schools to provide outdoor learning for children and families. The Ardagh holds lots of events throughout the year! For more info, please see The Ardagh's website.
Wellington Hill Playing Field
The Wellington Hill Playing Field, with its Town Green status (since 2014), is another valuable asset for recreation, offering a junior football pitch (grass, not floodlit).
Horfield Parish Church (Holy Trinity with St Edmund, Horfield)
This church sits central to the Common, and is notable for the beautiful trees in and around its churchyard. To find out more about the history of Horfield Common, please visit this website.
Horfield Leisure Centre
At the north eastern end of the Common, Horfield Leisure Centre (and the adjacent Horfield Playing Field) provides further facilities, including café, swimming pools, fitness studio, gym, crèche /nursery, soft play, sports hall, squash courts, football pitches and outside skatepark. The centre runs structured activity programmes for children during school holidays.
Other Places of Historical Interest
The W.D. Watt Victorian Lamp & Water Fountain (Abbots Way Field, on the junction of Wellington Hill and Kellaway Avenue).
Grade II listed Victorian Urinal (Weston Crescent Field, by the junction of Western Road and Gloucester Road).
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Just Some of the Common's Facilities
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Accessibility
Please get in touch at [email protected] if you have any further questions.
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General information
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Things to be aware of
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If you'd like to be involved regularly with FoHC and its events, please
join the FoHC. For updates on the Friends of Horfield Common, please find links to our Facebook and email below. |
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