St Werburghs facts for kids
St. Werburgh's is a vibrant area located in the north-east part of Bristol, England. It's easy to spot on a map because it's surrounded by the M32 motorway. This makes it a unique and somewhat tucked-away part of the city.
Quick facts for kids St Werburghs |
|
|---|---|
 St Werburghs
|
|
| OS grid reference | ST596742 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRISTOL |
| Postcode district | BS2 |
| Dialling code | 0117 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Avon |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Contents
What is the Ground Like in St. Werburghs?
The ground in St. Werburghs is made up of different types of rock and soil. In some parts, especially towards the south-east, you'll find a type of rock called Redcliffe Sandstone. Other areas, mainly to the north, have mudstone and salt-stone.
Near the Mina Road Park and along the River Frome, the ground is covered by a layer of soft soil and clay. This material was left behind by ancient rivers.
A Look Back: The History of St. Werburghs
Before 1879, the area we now call St. Werburghs had different names. The northern part was known as Ashley Vale. The southern part was called Baptist Mills.
How St. Werburghs Got Its Name
The name "St. Werburghs" became popular in 1879. This happened when St Werburgh's Church moved to Mina Road. The church building was largely rebuilt in its new location. Today, this historic church has a new purpose. It is now a popular climbing centre run by The Climbing Academy.
Dealing with Floods
Historically, St. Werburghs faced challenges with flooding. The River Frome would often overflow its banks. Major floods happened in 1882 and 1889. You can still see four old flood marker posts in the area. These posts show how high the water reached during those floods. The area was also an important source of water for Bristol in the past.
Community and Nature
St. Werburghs is known for its strong community spirit. It is home to a city farm, which is a great place for people to connect with animals and nature. The community has also been involved in many environmental projects. One example is the creation of a self-build housing community. Another is turning Narroways Hill into a Millennium Green. This green space is now a protected area for wildlife.
St. Werburghs on TV
You might have seen parts of St. Werburghs on television! The famous BBC show Only Fools and Horses filmed an episode here. The allotments were used for the episode called 'Mother Nature's Son'. Other BBC wildlife and gardening shows have also filmed in the area. Even the medical drama Casualty has used St. Werburghs as a filming location.
Exploring the Area of St. Werburghs
St. Werburghs is located close to the district of St Pauls. While it has a good mix of cultures, it might not be as diverse as some other inner-city areas. It also has more family homes, which has led to higher house prices. The area generally has less crime compared to some other inner-city parts of Bristol. This means it offers the benefits of a multi-cultural community with less hardship than some nearby places.
Mina Road: The Heart of the Community
Mina Road is like the main street of St. Werburghs. The shops along this road are quite unique. Each shop has a creative figurehead sticking out from its front. These figures often give a clue about what kind of business is inside.
Across from the shops, there's a park. In this park, you can find an original Victorian public lavatory made of cast iron. It's a cool piece of history!
Getting Around: Transport in St. Werburghs
In the past, St. Werburghs was served by the number 5 bus route. This route was later replaced by the 47 Bristol–Yate bus. However, this bus service was planned to be stopped in April 2023. This would mean the area would no longer have a bus service directly serving it.
