Bristol: A loop around the block from the hospital

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 site, which will need to be paid for, unless you are a blue badge holder.

Note that if you start the walk at the Leisure Park, car parking there is free.

From the entrance of the Community Hospital, walk to the left towards Hengrove Plaza at the front of the Leisure Centre; cross Hengrove Promenade and walk down the right-hand side of The Boulevard, crossing Christopher Brain Street and passing the South Bristol Skills Academy on your left.

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

(B) South Bristol Skills Academy was opened to students in 2010.

[1] Turn right at Whitchurch Lane and walk along the pavement. Continue, passing opposite the former Somerfield headquarters, now an office centre, and then passing the roundabout for Hawkfield Business Park on the other side of the road.

(C) The Somerfield supermarket chain was bought by the Co-operative Group in 2008 and the Bristol headquarters, employing 750 staff, was closed in 2009.

[2] At the Hengrove Way Roundabout, take the path to the right (not the path down to the subway) and follow round to the right to continue alongside the dual carriageway. Continue to a pelican crossing, just before a bus stop.

[3] Turn right, away from the road, and follow the path, turning right at a paths roundabout (beside the Site Security Office) and join a broad raised walkway which is crossed by the Leisure Park’s exit road. Go straight along this raised walkway, which is crossed at intervals by car park roads. Continue ahead under a tall red-painted structure, and pass the Play Park on the left and the Wheels Park on the right.

(D) The Play Park includes equipment, for climbing, sand & water play. It also has a cafe and toilets, and some outside seating in both sun and shade. The Wheels Park has rinks and ramps for bikes, trikes & skateboards, and a basketball target.

[4] After a barrier at the end of the Wheels Park, go through onto the end of the old runway. Turn right onto a tarmac path with lamp posts, signed Hengrove Plaza. Go ahead at a path crossing, and zigzag through another barrier to reach the front of the Hospital.

(E) Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport, was the main airport for Bristol from 1930 to 1957.

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. The Somerfield supermarket chain (founded as Gateway in 1950), was by 1985 the 3rd largest in the UK; then followed a complex series of mergers, buyouts, acquisitions & selloffs over the next 20 years. In 2007 it was the 6th largest food retailer and the 5th largest private firm in the UK. It was bought by the Co-operative Group in 2008 and the Bristol headquarters, employing 750 staff, was closed in 2009.

D. Hengrove Play Park is (according to childfriendly.co.uk) “The largest FREE Play Park in the South of England .. not only the biggest but also one of the most exciting. Its most arresting feature is the high dome, which houses the jungle play experience. There are sand, water, slide and climbing play areas for younger children and rinks for skateboarders, skaters and BMX riders. There’s also a pleasant cafe from which you can sit and keep an eye on all their frenetic activity!”

E. Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport, also known as Whitchurch Airport, was the main airport for Bristol and area from 1930 to 1957. When opened, It was only the third municipal airport in the country.

During the Second World War it was, for a time, the only operational civil airport. It enabled air connections to Lisbon, to Shannon and from there to the United States, and later to North Africa. The actor Lesley Howard was killed whilst on a flight from Africa to Bristol.

The airport closed in 1957, with services transferred to what is now known as Bristol International Airport. The runway was last used in 1993 when a Cessna light aircraft landed on it in emergency.

Toilets & cafe are available in the Hospital and also the Leisure Centre opposite, at the start/end of the walk. There are at  least five other food & drink establishments in the Leisure Park. The Play Park, which also has facilities, is officially only open to adults when accompanying children. There are benches in the Play Park and Wheels Park.

The route passes bus-stops in Whitchurch Lane and Hengrove Way; buses serving these stops return to the Hospital, for anyone who wishes to curtail the walk.