News / ashton court
Parts of Ashton Court roped off to public
Parts of Ashton Court have been shut off to the public to protect its endangered wildlife.
The 850-acre parkland in south Bristol is home a population of breeding skylarks and a community of green winged orchids.
But the numbers of skylarks are declining reportedly due to increased visitor numbers and dogs roaming off their leads, and the orchids are also at risk of being damaged by the impact of walkers.
is needed now More than ever
Conservation areas within the estate have now been demarcated for the spring, blocking off sections of The Plateau near the Clifton Lodge to walkers.
Ashton Court previously closed the gates of one of its two deers sanctuaries over concerns of the welfare of the herd of deer that inhabit it – photo: Bristol City Council
It comes as one of the estate’s deer parks was roped off this winter due to the “inappropriate behaviour” of visitors. The year before, conservation zones were put in place due to overcrowding.
Bristol City Council has now reintroduced the measures as a manager of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. They explained the move is to protect the skylarks who make nests in the ground and the future of the site.
Ellie King, cabinet member for communities, said: “The action we are taking at Ashton Court Estate is about striking a balance between maintaining these facilities and protecting the ecology within them to ensure the spaces can be used and enjoyed by all citizens well into the future.
“Everyone can play their part in safeguarding the wildlife at Ashton Court by not entering the roped-off temporary conservation areas, keeping their dog on a short lead in the area and sticking to the mown and surfaced paths.”
The council is asking for visitors to avoid areas marked with a rope fence and visitors to stay on the mown and marked paths with dogs being kept on a short lead.
The conservation zones are expected to remain in place until the mid-summer.
Main photo: Sam Jolly
Read more: Telling the story of the family who lived in Ashton Court for 400 years
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