Incredible Edible launch urban food trail

In Millennium Square, under the solar panelled tree which is heating up nicely in the spring sunshine, volunteers turn the soil in three large planters, filled with fruit trees, curly kale and leafy brassicas. Two dungaree-wearing young men hammer a huge sign into the soft soil of one of the beds, declaring this the start of the Incredible Edible Bristol urban food trail. Founder Sara Venn appraises their efforts with an enormous grin as she tells them it’s a bit wonky.

Sixteen of us have turned out for the launch, and pore over our beautiful illustrated maps, created by Dave Bain, which show the trail of pickable fruits, vegetables and herbs growing all the way along the Brunel Mile.

“We previously did the trail in 2015, but wanted to update it and bring it back,” Sara explains as we walk over Pero’s bridge, on the way to the next bed in Queen Square. “We got some lottery funding and decided to create a paper map that people can use as a free resource, to go on the walk and find some of the food that we’re growing across the city.”

The Brunel Mile stretches from Bristol Temple Meads to the centre. “We wanted to prove that you can do this well-worn commuter walk and find something different along the way,” Sara continues. “The spaces that we’ve created gardens in are all different and belong to different people, including private businesses, Bristol City Council and organisations like At-Bristol. They are spaces for the public to see and enjoy, and I think sometimes it can feel like a simple and safe way to make a difference.”

Our little tour group stops at the Quaker Burial Ground in the shadow of St Mary Redcliffe – or, as it is called on our map, Edible Park. “Bristol City Council lease us this land,” Sara explains to us all, holding court in front of an enormous raised bed, where vegetables are starting to sprout up through the dark earth. “This was somewhere that had a real issue with anti-social behaviour. When we first came in, there were eight-foot-high bushes here. You couldn’t see in at all, and they hid all sorts of activities. When we were clearing it, we found so many needles.”

Today, it’s a bright and open park. A man from one of the nearby offices sits on a bench eating his packed lunch, and Sara proudly shows off the ancient monument that the bushes were previously hiding – a hermit hole from the 14th Century. The food trail has uncovered pieces of Bristol’s history, as well as adding to it’s future.

“If I had to choose a favourite, it would be the garden at Thomas Chatterton’s house,” Sara says as we walk on through the sunshine. “I feel linked to it somehow – we nearly lost it because it wasn’t being properly looked after. But we managed to save it, and now there’s a beautiful bee-friendly flowerbed that helps with biodiversity in the city.”

We’ve almost reached the end of the trail at Temple Meads, coming back to reality and the heavy traffic on Temple Circus Gyratory. It’s been lovely to walk through green spaces, to see bees bustling around the beds, and new buds unfurling on fruit trees in front of some of Bristol’s most famous landmarks. “I know this city like the back of my hand, but this is a new experience,” fellow trail-follower Lindsey says. “I’ve never noticed all these little gardens before. It’s always good to see different things.”

From their first planter in 2014 outside At-Bristol, Incredible Edible Bristol’s reach has grown exponentially: they now have 37 gardens across the city. Their mission to fill Bristol with edible plants is becoming a lush, green reality that everyone can enjoy.

Pick up an urban food trail map at At-Bristol, Temple Meads station or the tourist information centre on the harbourside. Free guided trails will take place throughout the year: find more information at www.ediblebristol.org.uk

Read more: Edible Bristol open new garden in the Bearpit