Bristol: Back to school & college in Lawrence Weston.

First Bus services 40 & 40A run to Long Cross Lay-by; Wessex services 501 & 502 stop near the roundabout with Kings Weston Lane (stops labelled Moor Grove, SW-bound or Broadlands Drive, SE-bound.)

The cycle path passing the Community Farm is on National Route 41, Regional Route 10.

There is a small amount of car parking at the Community Farm.

This walk starts at the front entrance gate of Laurence Weston Community Farm.

[1]  From the Farm, turn left, and go through the metal barrier onto the cycle path. Follow this path as it runs through the grassy area and then curves to the right; go through another barrier onto the road (Saltmarsh Drive).

[2]  Turn left. Pass the day nursery on your left. Continue along the pavement as the road curves to the right. Stay on the left-hand pavement. Continue as far as the main road ahead.

[3]  Walk along the left-hand pavement of Long Cross. Shortly, on the opposite side of the road is the entrance to Bristol Gateway School, a secondary school for pupils with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties but who are also on the autistic spectrum. Continue, passing on the left-hand side St Bede's Catholic College, a Roman Catholic Secondary School specialising in science and sport.

[4]  After passing a bus shelter, cross the road at the traffic pinch-point (be aware of the traffic as this is a busy road.)  Turn left, to continue in the same direction but now on the right-hand side of the road. Continue ahead, passing another bus shelter.

[5]   When you reach Lawrence Weston Road on your side of the road, follow the pavement round to the right. The building on the opposite side of the road is Lawrence Weston Youth Centre. The road goes slightly uphill; continue up to the top, where it bends left and becomes Beverston Gardens.

[6]   At this point, follow the pavement round to the right into Broadlands Drive, still going slightly uphill. Continue until you reach the first turning on the right, just after reaching some disused college buildings.

[7]   Turn right and walk downhill to Ridingleaze on your left. An alternative route from here is to continue down Stile Acres. Cross the main road (Long Cross) at the traffic island and turn left into Saltmarsh Drive. Continue along until you reach the sign showing the car park for the Community Farm - as [10] below.

[8]   Turn left into Ridingleaze and walk on the right hand pavement passing St Peter's church. Take the first path on your right. Cross the road using the two zebra crossings, and turn left. Walk along the pavement until the end of the small grassy area on your right.

[9]   Turn right onto the path  running beside the grass, and continue ahead along the path between a hedge and a fence. At the end of the path, you reach Saltmarsh Drive. Turn left and walk along until opposite the car-park for the Community Farm. An alternative route is to continue along the pavement in Long Cross until you reach Bury Court Close, where you turn right and walk down to Saltmarsh Drive opposite the Community Farm car-park.

[10] Cross over Saltmarsh Drive, and walk through the car-park and along the path to the Community Farm.

Safety Note: vehicles are frequently parked on pavements in Saltmarsh Drive and other roads, forcing walkers to use the road (particularly relevant for those with wheelchairs & pushchairs.)

A. Laurence Weston Community Farm     http://lwfarm.org.uk      Tel: 0117 938 1128

Lawrence Weston Community Farm is a community-managed project that aims to improve the quality of life for local people and its service-users. The farm does this by working with members of the local community, and others, to provide a range of innovative and exciting, educational, social, environmental, economic and recreational activities.

As well as providing opportunities to experience the daily delights of community farming and gardening, the farm also:

• Brings people and communities together - make new friends, volunteering and placement opportunities, activities for children and young people, a safe and secure public green space.
• Delivers education and skill development - hands on enjoyable learning opportunities, short course, accredited training, school groups . 
• Promotes environmental awareness - recycling, composting, wildlife, gardens, ponds, woodland.
• Encourages healthy eating and exercise - wholesome food, exercise through gardening and practical work, cooking events.
• Produces fresh, affordable local food - vegetables, meat, honey, eggs.

The farm is particularly interested in combating social exclusion and providing a safe and supportive environment in which people can flourish and contribute positively to their community.

The People's Building houses the office, toilets, classroom, kitchen and community room. The Animal House provides a home for all the large animals and most of the small animals. There is a small apiary where the bees make delicious honey, a secret garden complete with poly tunnel, Water Vole Woodland Walk, an outdoor soft play area for the summer months, picnic area, the animal village that is home to our small animals, the volunteer cabin, an orchard, duck pond, compost heaps, out door pig pen, chicken coup and three large paddocks.

The Community Farm is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Mondays, but open for Bank Holiday Mondays); Summer hours 9.30 - 4.30, Winter hours 9.30 - 3.30

B. Bristol Gateway School is a special school, now located on the site of the former Lawrence Weston Secondary School and the former Lawrence Weston site of the City of Bristol College.  Pupils who are referred to Bristol Gateway School have Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties [BESD] but are also on the autistic spectrum.

C. St Bede's Catholic College is a Voluntary Aided Secondary School  whose first main specialism is Science (Operational) and second specialism is Sports.

D. Lawrence Weston Youth Centre is part of the Lawrence Weston and Avonmouth Youth Projects which aim to help young people to focus on the issues that affect them and help give them the chance to develop new skills and confidence. They run a range of activities for young people aged 13-19 and are part of Bristol City Council Youth and Play Services.

Toilets are available in the Community Farm, when it is open:

Tuesday to Sunday (Mondays only on Bank Holidays); Summer hours 9.30 - 4.30, Winter 9.30 - 3.30

No refreshments (cafes, etc) available on the route, but there are several shops in Ridingleaze. There are seats along the paths between Ridingleaze and Long Cross.