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• Managing Organisation:

  Bristol City Council

• Contact:

  John Threadgold

• Telephone:

  01179223719 
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Information about this open space

Troopers Hill is a 8.4 Ha Local Nature Reserve (LNR) with a ‘wild, romantic’ landscape located in the east of urban Bristol. There is easy car parking in the adjacent residential streets and public buses run 7 days a week to adjacent Air Balloon Road. The four main attractions are the industrial heritage, the unique (for Bristol) heath-land flora and fauna, the views and the geology.  In the past, Troopers Hill was a busy industrial site where Pennant sandstone was quarried. Coal and fire clay have been mined here and there are two chimneys, both of which are listed structures. The square section chimney is all that remains of the engine house for the colliery. The other chimney dates from the 18th century and was used to take fumes away from a copper smelting works factory in the valley below. It is situated at the highest point and is a landmark that can be seen from miles around. From here there are stupendous views over the city towards the Vale of Long Ashton.  Troopers Hill is the only LNR in Bristol with acid soils and associated heath-land flora and fauna. Bell heather, ling and broom are all present. There is also a range of butterflies, crickets/grasshoppers and rare mining bees. There is scrub on Troopers Hill and the adjacent site that attracts many birds. It is well worth viewing the Friends of Troopers Hill website (www.troopers-hill.org.uk) where much more information is available before visiting the site.