Eastville, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eastville |
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 Eastville Park |
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 Eastville
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| Population | 14,865 (ward) |
| • Density | 4,175.7 per km2 (ward) |
| Households | 6,099 (ward) |
| OS grid reference | ST613752 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS5 |
| Dialling code | 0117 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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| Councillors |
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Eastville is a lively neighborhood and an official voting area, called an electoral ward, in Bristol, England. It's located about 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of Bristol's city center. The heart of Eastville is generally around Muller Road, where it meets Stapleton Road and Fishponds Road.
One of Eastville's most famous spots is Eastville Park. This large park features a lovely small lake. The lake was built as a special project to help people find work many years ago, thanks to a campaign by Ernest Bevin.
The River Frome flows through Eastville, heading towards the southwest. Since the early 1970s, the M32 motorway has run very close to the river. This motorway crosses the neighborhood on a raised bridge over Muller Road, which can sometimes make it feel like the area is divided.
On the west side of the River Frome, you'll find the Eastgate shopping center. This center is home to big stores like IKEA and Tesco. Before it became a shopping center, this same spot was once Eastville Stadium. This stadium was famous for being the home of Bristol Rovers Football Club, and it also hosted exciting greyhound racing and speedway events.
Contents
Discovering Eastville
Eastville's Location
Eastville started as a small village within the larger area of Stapleton. For a long time, it didn't have exact borders. Today, the official boundaries for the Eastville electoral ward (voting area) include some parts that people might not traditionally think of as Eastville. It also leaves out some western areas that many consider part of Eastville.
For example, the M32 motorway forms the western edge of the Eastville electoral ward. This means some places often thought of as Eastville, like Glenfrome Road, are actually in a different voting area called Lockleaze.
Parks and Green Spaces
Eastville Park is a wonderful place for everyone to enjoy. It has open spaces for games, paths for walking, and a beautiful lake. The lake is a great spot for relaxing and watching nature.
Rivers and Roads
The River Frome is an important natural feature of Eastville. It flows gently through the area. The M32 motorway is a major road that runs alongside the river, connecting Eastville to other parts of Bristol and beyond. This motorway helps people travel quickly, but it also shapes the look and feel of the neighborhood.
Shopping and Sports
The Eastgate shopping center is a popular destination for shopping. It offers a variety of stores, including a large IKEA where you can find furniture and home goods, and a Tesco supermarket for groceries.
Before the shopping center was built, the land had a rich history in sports. Eastville Stadium was a well-known venue. It was the home ground for Bristol Rovers Football Club, a professional soccer team. The stadium also hosted thrilling greyhound racing and fast-paced speedway competitions, bringing many spectators to Eastville.
A Look Back in Time
The Old Railway
Many years ago, a large railway bridge, known as 'The Thirteen Arches,' stood in Eastville. It got its name because it had thirteen arches! This bridge ran roughly parallel to where Muller Road is today. It was an important part of the Clifton Extension Railway but was taken down in 1968.
A Place for Care
Eastville also had a place called the Eastville Workhouse. This building was originally a French Prison before the government sold it around 1832. A workhouse was a place that provided food and shelter for people who were very poor and had nowhere else to go. Residents would often work there to earn their keep.
Later, in 1930, another similar place nearby, the Stapleton Workhouse, became the Stapleton Institution. By the time of the Second World War, this site was mainly used to care for elderly people and those needing special health support. Eventually, it became Blackberry Hill Hospital, which still helps people today.
How Eastville is Governed
| Eastville | |
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| ward Bristol City Council. |
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Ward boundaries since 2016.
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| County | Bristol |
| Population | 14,865 |
| Electorate | 10,721 |
| Current ward | |
| Created | 1974 |
| Councillor | Lorraine Francis (Green) |
| Councillor | Ed Fraser (Green) |
| UK Parliament constituency | Bristol North East |
The Eastville electoral ward is a specific area used for local elections. It includes other smaller areas like Crofts End (also known as Clay Hill) and Stapleton. Important schools like Bristol Metropolitan Academy and Collegiate School are located within this ward. The Bristol and Bath Railway Path, a popular route for walking and cycling, also goes through Eastville.
Local Representatives
The people of Eastville are represented by two councillors on the Bristol City Council. As of March 2026, these councillors are Lorraine Francis and Ed Fraser, both from the Green Party of England and Wales. They work to make decisions and improvements for the local community.
Changing Boundaries
The Eastville ward was first created in 1974. Back then, it elected three members to the Bristol City Council. Over the years, the ward's boundaries have changed a few times to best represent the local population. For example, in 1999, some parts of Eastville moved to the Easton ward. More recently, in 2016, Eastville gained some areas from the Hillfields ward and lost others to the Frome Vale ward.
Famous Faces from Eastville
Eastville has been home to some interesting people:
- Andrew Beer (1862–1954) was an artist and an expert on racing pigeons.
- Paul Potts is a famous tenor (a type of singer). He also served as a councillor for the Eastville ward from 1996 until 2003.
