Bristol: Whitehall and Greenbank Cemetery

Buses 6 (running from Bristol Centre to Kingswood) and 7 (running from Bristol Centre to Staple Hill) both stop on the B4465 close to the junction with Stretford Road.

There is parking in local streets and also at the St George Park car park on Chalks Road but getting to and from the car park and the start point will add another 10 - 15 minutes onto the walk.

[1] With you back to the Beehive Centre turn left and follow Stretford road round to meet Whitehall Road. Turn right, cross at the pelican crossing and turn right following the road round to the left onto Gordon Road.  Continue along Gordon Road for about a quarter of a mile. 

[2] Fork left onto a road signposted Eastpark Trading Estate.  A few yards after turning into this road you will see on the left a sign saying Gordon Rd  33-19 52-40.  Follow this road down to its end and turn left down a path which brings you onto the Bristol to Bath Railway Path. 

If a shorter, flatter route is wanted turn left onto the Railway Path and meet up with the longer route at the Johnsons Road exit.[5]

[3]  Cross the Railway Path and exit onto Greenbank Road, crossing the road.  Turn left and walk down Greenbank Road with views over the city and Greenbank Cemetery on your right.  Continue downhill to the main entrance of Greenbank Cemetery opposite Turley Road. 

If you wish to extend the walk you can go along some of the many paths around the cemetery and return to the main entrance to continue the walk.  However do take note of the notice on the gate giving closing times.  

From the entrance to the cemetery continue along Greenbank Road up the hill. 

[4] When you reach the far end of the cemetery turn left into Carlyle Road.  Go along Carlyle Road, crossing Co-operation Road and continuing on Carlyle Road to the end.  Turn right into Bruce Road and then left onto the ramp down to the Railway Path.

[5] Cross the Railway Path and exit onto the the ramp up to Johnsons Road following the big green yellow and blue footprints!  Take the pavement on the right of Johnsons Rd leaving the footprints. You will come to a 'real' zebra crossing!  Do not cross here as this takes you into the Whitehall Primary School.  Continue along Johnsons Road for a short way now going the opposite way to the footprints.

[6] Cross the next 'zebra crossing' into Johnsons Lane.  The footprints stop shortly after you pass The Limes Nursery School on your left.  Continue along Johnsons Lane with the City Academy playing fields on your left.  Go past the bollards onto a path which takes you round The Kings Head pub back onto Whitehall Road.  Turn left, cross at the pelican crossing and return to Stretford Road and the Beehive Centre.

A. Greenbank Cemetery was set up in 1871, extended in 1880 and again in 1899.  In the north eastern section of the cemetery are the memorials to the civilians who died during the Bristol Blitz.

B. Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory, now derelict.  The site dates back to 1881 and had many names & owners previous to Elizabeth Shaw. The site closed in October 2006.

C. Note the lovely views across the cemetery to the communications tower at Purdown.

D. Street art on wall and garage door

E. Whitehall Primary School which has some unusual and fun road safety markings on the surrounding roads.

F. More street art.

The ramps described on [4] (downward) and [5] (upward) may be challenging fo wheelchair users.