Bristol: An educational walk to Hartcliffe Millennium Green.

Several bus routes stop at the hospital, including First Bus routes 20, 36, 51, 75, 76 and 90, and Wessex 515.

There are a number of cycle paths leading to the hospital. Secure bicycle anchor points are available at the front of the hospital.

There is limited parking at the hospital site, which will need to be paid for unless you are a blue badge holder.

From the Community Hospital entrance, walk to the left to cross Hengrove Promenade and walk down The Boulevard, crossing Christopher Brain Street and passing the South Bristol Skills Academy on your left.

[1] Cross Whitchurch Lane at the pedestrian lights, and go along the left-hand pavement of William Jessop Way (the other pavement ends by a bend.) Pass the Bridge College Centre and continue to the end of the road.

[2] Turn left into Bishport Avenue, and in 50 yards turn left into Hartcliffe Millennium Green. There are several types of playground equipment, and some picnic tables, but no toilets.

The shortest return route is to retrace your steps; turn right out of the Green on to Bishport Avenue, right again into William Jessop Way, cross Whitchurch Lane at the pedestrian lights and go along The Boulevard back to the Hospital.

Alternative return route, about 10 minutes longer. Cross William Jessop Way (with caution, look out for traffic) -  and continue along Bishport Avenue, following round to the right onto Hawkfield Road. Opposite a short row of houses, turn right up a path with concrete bollards at its mouth. At the far end of the path, turn right and follow the road (Hawkfield Way, a trading estate) turning left after a mini-roundabout (crossing with caution, again look out for traffic.) Go up the right-hand side to reach the main road (Whitchurch Lane) at a big roundabout. Turn right and, after crossing the front of a business park (the former Somerfield offices) cross the road via the crossing and continue to the junction with The Boulevard, where you turn left to go back to the Hospital.

A. Christopher Brain Street is named in memory of the original architect of the South Bristol Skills Academy, but who died aged 50 before the building was completed.

B. South Bristol Skills Academy was opened to students in 2010. It's prospectus says that It offers vocational training and specialised courses not available anywhere else in south Bristol, and puts the learning needs of the local community first. Facilities include motor vehicle and construction workshops, a professional hair and beauty salon, a training kitchen and restaurant, horticultural areas and a Learning Resource Centre.

C. William Jessop Way is named after a leading civil engineer (born 1745, died 1814) who was responsible for the construction of Bristol’s Floating Harbour between 1802 & 1809. This boosted trade by enabling ships in the harbour to remain afloat; previously they would be stranded at low tide and risk being damaged (unless they were stoutly built “Bristol fashion”.)

Jessop was also involved in a great number of other projects including the Grand Junction Canal, the Surrey Iron Railway and the West India Docks on the Thames in London. He had previously founded the Butterley Iron Works which began to manufacture fish-bellied cast-iron rails, an important advance in railway technology.

D. Bridge College Centre is part of the Bridge Learning Campus. This campus is the first of its kind in Bristol and also includes a primary school, secondary school, special school and student support.

E. Hartcliffe Millennium Green is a three and a half acre community owned park, which was created in January 1999 and transformed a flat green space into a well-landscaped and designed park. Facilities now include, two play areas, pond, reed bed, amphitheatre, rockery garden, willow sculpture, orchard, totem pole, volunteer cabin and plenty of seating.

Toilets & cafe available at the start/end, in the Hospital and also the Leisure Centre opposite (but not at the Millennium Green.)

Some bus services (36, 75,76) run along the whole route .

At college start & finish times (morning, late afternoon) the pavements may be busy with students.

On the alternative route, traffic may be busy in the trading estate at works start & finish times.