A walk around Sea Mills Garden Suburb – The Rec

Continue to the end of St Edyth’s Road. The shops on The Square are versions of the WDB5 design that you will also see on the Hillfields and Knowle Park walks. There were originally 12 shops but some have been converted to residential use. Turn left into Shirehampton Road and then left into the Recreation Ground (13).

Napier Miles recommended to the council’s Housing Committee that at least five acres of the new estate should be set aside for sport. Like the Recreation Ground in the Hillfields walk, this is an enclosed yet open space with a perimeter of houses. A cricket pavilion was opened in May 1923, which became an important venue for social activities. The Sea Mills Tenants Association was formed there, holding its first meeting in November 1927. It was destroyed by fire several years ago. Sea Mills Amateur Football Club was founded in 1925 and continues to play to this day though the games now take place in Kings Weston.

Sea Mills Park AFC 1932-33

The walk ends here. If you are in need of refreshment before continuing your journey, The Café on the Square (converted from a former toilet block) is recommended (see www.smci.org.uk/cafeonthesquare.htm for opening hours). The café is run by Sea Mills Community Initiatives, a charitable company set up in 2009 by the local churches, which has also developed a community garden on the estate. You can catch the number 4 back to Bristol city centre from the nearby bus stop.

Alternatively, you could go to the library and catch the number 3 bus, which will also take you back to the centre.

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