Information on the improvement works at Stoke Park, volunteering and how to keep informed about the works.
We've been making improvements to Stoke Park since 2018.
Stoke Park is a Grade II registered park and garden. We've been working to protect the historic landscape and improve the ecological benefits for the environment.
The restoration works
So far, we've:
- restored the open parkland character
- restored the species rich grassland
- planted trees and hedgerow
- established a new orchard
- installed fencing, gates and other infrastructure to allow grazing
- introduced grazing by cattle and goats
- installed drainage under the M32 tunnel
- repaired historic walls
- stabilised the remains of the Tomb of the Horatii
- created an accessible all-weather path
- started work to clear and restore 3 ponds
The Tomb of the Horatii
The replica of the Tomb of the Horatii was built in Stoke Park by Thomas Wright, a leading landscape gardener in the 1700s. Stoke Park's tomb was based on an ancient mausoleum that was built at Albano near Rome. It was built in honour of a legendary battle between the Roman Horatii triplets and their Alban counterparts, the Curiatii. Most of the Tomb has now fallen down but the foundations remain. We've stabilised these remains as part of the restoration work.
Find a map of the location of the remains.
Stoke Park accessible path
Stoke Park's accessible all-weather path was opened in September 2022. It connects Lockleaze with Jellicoe Avenue at the eastern edge of the park.
pdf View a map showing the new path (460 KB) .
The all-weather path makes it easier for people to access the park, including cyclists and those with mobility scooters or pushchairs. It also gives better access to the park for people living in the new housing in the area.
Stoke Park ponds restoration project
We've got funding to restore 3 ponds in the Stoke Park Estate to improve the habitat for great crested newts and other wildlife. Two of these ponds are historic cobble lined ponds.
Work began in January 2023. Restoration of Pond 3 was completed in March 2023 in time for the great crested newt breeding season.
It's been discovered that Pond 1 has an underground water source so work can only take place intermittently during long dry spells.
Investigatory work has not altered the structure of this pond so amphibians can return to the pond this spring.
The restoration work will only resume when the pond has remained dry for several weeks and is no longer suitable for breeding amphibians.
Pond 2 was completed in October 2023 with over 1,300 hours of volunteering put in to complete it. The pond will be fenced off until wildlife is re established.
The work is being overseen by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) who hold the licence for great crested newts.
We'll continue to update on our progress here.
You can also follow progress of the pond restoration in more detail on the Stoke Park Community Group webpage.
Restoration funding
The Stoke Park restoration works have been funded by:
- the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Countryside Stewardship Scheme
- Highways England
- Homes England's Housing Infrastructure Fund
- Natural England as part of District Level Licensing scheme for great crested newts Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/great-crested-newts-district-level-licensing-schemes-for-developers (opens new window)
- Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership Go to https://www.bristolavoncatchment.co.uk/ (opens new window)
Volunteering
If you'd like to help with restoration projects at Stoke Park visit our parks volunteering page.