Durdham Down — Attraction in Bristol

Durdham Down was long used as grazing land. An Anglo-Saxon charter of 883 grants grazing rights over part of Durdham Down. The down was the commons of pasture for the manor of Henbury during the Middle Ages. The land was also valuable farmland used by many farms in the area. In 1643 and 1645, during the English Civil War, Royalist and Parliamentarian armies assembled on the down.

In 1857, concerned by Victorian-built houses encroaching on the open space as the city expanded, the Bristol Corporation acquired commoners' rights on the downs, and exercised them the following year by grazing sheep. In 1861 Durdham Down itself was bought by the City from the Lords of the Manor of Henbury for £15,000 via an Act of Parliament. Grazing on the down declined during the 19th century, and finally ceased in 1925.

Since 1861 Durdham Down has been managed, with Clifton Down, by the Downs Committee, a joint committee of the corporation and the Society of Merchant Venturers, which owns Clifton Down. The committee appoints a Downs Ranger to oversee the Downs.

In November 1910 a Bristol Boxkite, which had been recently built by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company's factory at the nearby village of Filton, landed on Durdham Down. During the course of that afternoon, the French pilot, M. Maurice Tetard, undertook several demonstration flights from this temporary airfield. Bristolians in large numbers flocked to The Downs to see this...

This is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. If you are looking for a place to walk, run, picnic, or play sports. It's also a popular spot for walking, jogging, and picnicking. There are also a number of sports pitches on the down, making it a great place to play football,...

Very good park, lots of space to play football. Have seen others play quiditch, larp, etc. So many dogs and they seem to love it. Good spot to go running. Sometimes has a circus, and a fair ground. In the summer it is great for picnicing. Is very well maintained by the staff there and amazing views over the river Avon and the...