Horfield which is just three miles to the north of Bristol city centre is definitely undergoing gentrification. This is reflected by rising house prices and trendy coffee bars and independent shops. It is close to the M4 and M5 motorways and only two miles from the University of the West of England Filton campus. This means it is popular with young professionals, families and students.

I belong to a local walking group and on Mondays we choose a different part of Bristol to explore. Our walks always end at a coffee shop. This week we turned the spotlight on Horfield and our destination was the cafe on the common.

The cafe is run as a social enterprise by the Ardagh trust. All profits from food and drink sales and from the nearby plant stall go to projects to improve the local area. When we were there, it was warm and sunny and a lot of patrons were enjoying the outdoor seating.

The origins of Horfield

The area used to have a very different reputation. The name is Anglo-Saxon in origin and means filthy open land (horu and feld). In the Domesday book it is listed as Horfele. Historically the area had a bad reputation as a lawless place. Thieves, highwaymen and vagabonds hung out in the woods. The main road from Bristol to Gloucester now the A38 ran through it and there was also an ancient trackway to Aust for the ferry crossing to Wales. Old maps show that the area was mainly rural until the 19th century.

Prison and barracks

There were serious riots in Bristol in 1831. Rioters burnt the local jail and several houses in Queen’s square.

The city fathers needed to find a site for a new jail and Horfield’s less than desirable reputation made it the obvious choice. The jail is still there. It is now known as Bristol Prison and houses category B male prisoners.

Horfield Barracks were built close by and opened in 1847 by the Duke of Wellington. Cavalry and infantry from the Gloucestershire regiment were permanently stationed there.

They have now been demolished and only the chapel remains.

Modern Horfield

You may wonder why this rather ordinary Victorian terraced house has a blue plaque. Cary Grant, real name Archibald Leach, the Hollywood actor was born in Horfield.

Sport

Despite its murky past Horfield has become a trendy suburb. Bristol Cricket ground is nearby and the memorial stadium, home to Bristol Rovers football team is in Horfield itself.

.Horfield common a large green space in the heart of the suburb has a bowling green and there is also a large sports centre.

Shopping

It is claimed that Gloucester Road which goes from the centre of Bristol t0 Horfield is one of the longest stretches of independent shops in Europe and is very popular with both locals and visitors.

Horfield common is a large open space with well marked walking and running trails. Horfield is one of the highest parts of Bristol and we enjoyed views over the city. Despite the warm weather we could see plenty of signs of autumn in the hedgerows.

You might want to read some more posts about Bristol