Knowle West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Knowle West |
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 1930s council housing on Wexford Road |
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 Knowle West
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| Area | 1.26 sq mi (3.3 km2) |
| Population | 11,787 |
| • Density | 9,355/sq mi (3,612/km2) |
| OS grid reference | ST603707 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS4 |
| Dialling code | 0117 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Knowle West is a lively neighbourhood in the south of Bristol, England. It's about 2 miles (3 km) from the city centre. Most of Knowle West is in the Filwood area, but a small part is in the Knowle area.
In 2008, about 11,787 people lived here. Long ago, during the Iron Age and Roman times, people lived in this area. Knowle West was mostly countryside until the 1930s. That's when many new homes were built for families moving from crowded parts of the city.
Some famous people have lived in Knowle West. These include musician Tricky, rugby player Ellis Genge, boxer Dixie Brown, and the 1950s rock and roll band The Eagles.
Contents
Knowle West: A Look at Its Past
Knowle West has a long history, going back thousands of years!
Ancient Times and Early Settlements
There's proof that people lived here during the late Iron Age and Roman times. This was found at places like Inns Court and Filwood Park.
In 1086, a very old book called the Domesday Book mentioned Knowle. It was part of a larger area called Knowle. The book showed that the area had homes, fields for farming, and even a small forest.
Filwood Park, in the southern part of Knowle West, was once part of a royal hunting area. This huge forest was known as Kingswood Forest.
From Farms to New Homes
Inns Court and Filwood farms have been around since the Middle Ages. Part of Inns Court, which was once a vicarage (a church building), is now a special old building.
In the 1920s, Knowle West was still mostly farmland. It had farms like Filwood Farm and Inns Court Farm. These old farm areas helped shape how the neighbourhood was built later on.
Building the Community: 1930s and Beyond
Knowle West was built in the 1930s as a council housing estate. This meant the local council built homes for people. The idea was to create healthy living spaces with big gardens and lots of fresh air. These homes were for families who needed to move from older, crowded parts of Bristol.
After World War II, more homes were needed. So, in the 1960s, new houses were built in Inns Court. Some of these homes were designed in a way that grouped houses around small, winding streets. This was meant to be good, but it sometimes made it harder for neighbours to connect.
By 2008, about 45% of the homes were owned by the people living in them. There were plans to change some areas, but local people worked together to make sure their voices were heard. They helped shape plans for new shops and a supermarket in Filwood Broadway.
Where is Knowle West?
Knowle West covers about 1.26 square miles (3.26 sq km). It sits on a flat area about 215 feet (65 metres) above sea level. It's south of Bristol city centre.
It's surrounded by other areas: Knowle to the east, Whitchurch Park and Hengrove to the south, Hartcliffe and Bishopsworth to the west, and Bedminster and Windmill Hill to the north. There are steep slopes and a stream called Pigeonhouse Brook that help form natural borders around the area.
People Who Made a Mark in Knowle West
Many interesting people have grown up or lived in Knowle West.
- The boxer Dixie Brown lived here from the 1930s to the 1950s. He was a regular at a local pub called the Venture Inn.
- The Eagles were a rock and roll band that started in the late 1950s at the Eagle House youth club. They even appeared in a film!
- The famous musician Tricky grew up in Knowle West in the 1970s and 1980s. He even named his 2008 album Knowle West Boy to honour the area that influenced his music.
- England International rugby player Ellis Genge also grew up in this neighbourhood.
What's in Knowle West?
Knowle West has many places that help the community thrive.
Learning and Schools
There are three primary schools in Knowle West: Greenfield Primary School, Oasis Academy Connaught, and the School of Christ the King.
Knowle DGE Special School helps students of all ages who have learning or behaviour difficulties. There's also a nursery called Knowle West Children's Centre for younger kids.
For secondary school, students go to schools in nearby areas.
Community Hubs and Activities
Knowle West is full of community spirit! There's a local website, knowlewest.co.uk, that shares news and events. A newsletter called The Knowledge is also made by the community.
The Knowle West Media Centre won a special award in 2006 for its community work. The Knowle West Health Association also won an award in 2010 for its volunteer efforts.
Local groups like Re:work help young people learn skills in construction and gardening. Knowle West Health Park has a doctor's service, a healthy living centre with fitness classes, and outdoor sports areas.
You can also find local shops, cafes, and youth clubs like Filwood Community Centre and the Knowle West Media Centre.
Places of Worship
Knowle West has several churches for different faiths:
- Christ the King (Roman Catholic)
- Destiny Knowles Pentecostal Church (Pentecostal)
- St Barnabas (Church of England)
- Holy Cross (Church of God of Prophecy)
- The Salvation Army
Getting Around Knowle West
Buses are a main way to get around Knowle West. Several bus services connect the area to other parts of Bristol, like the city centre. The closest train station is Parson Street in Bedminster.
It can take a bit of time to get from Knowle West to the city centre by public transport. Plans are being made to improve transport links to make it easier for people to travel for work and other activities.
Who Lives in Knowle West?
In 2008, about 11,787 people lived in the Filwood area of Knowle West. Around 3,007 were under 15 years old. Most residents were Christian, and many said they had no religion. A large majority of people were white, with a smaller number from other ethnic backgrounds.
Jobs and Work
While there are some small local businesses, most people who work in Knowle West travel to other parts of Bristol for their jobs. It can be harder to find work if you don't have a car.
There's a retail park nearby and a business park that opened in the early 2000s. In 2008, about 2,300 residents worked locally. Many jobs were in service industries, like shops or healthcare.
Nature and Green Spaces
Knowle West has some lovely open spaces where you can enjoy nature. These include Glyn Vale Open Space, Filwood Playing Fields, and Filwood Park. These areas have grasslands, bushes, and trees.
There are also playgrounds for children and smaller green areas around the neighbourhood. Knowle West has about 42 acres (17 hectares) of natural open space.
On the Northern Slopes, you can find trees like hazel and hawthorn. Many birds live here, including robins, blackbirds, and sparrows. You might also spot wildflowers like cowslips and primroses, and animals like rabbits and foxes.
Images for kids
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Former Holy Cross vicarage at Inns Court; a listed building now restored
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Daventry Road in the heart of the 1930s development looking east from Melvin Square
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1960s council housing in Inns Court, built on the Radburn principles
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The Mede Community and Learning Centre
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Christ the King Roman Catholic church, Filwood Broadway
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Novers Common, looking west towards Bedminster Down
