Brislington is a suburb in the south-east of Bristol, roughly three miles from the city centre and around ten miles from Bath. Historically part of the old county of Somerset, it was once a country village favoured by wealthy Bristol merchants who built large houses along its lanes in the 18th and 19th centuries. Traces of that older settlement can still be seen in the 15th-century St Luke’s Church and in Long Fox Manor, formerly Brislington House, one of England’s first purpose-built asylums, opened in 1806 and now converted into private homes.
Through the 20th century, Brislington grew rapidly. Farmland gave way to the rows of inter-war semis and Victorian terraces that define many of its streets today. Industry arrived too, from the CWS butter factory in the early 1900s to Smiths Crisps and the Bristol Commercial Vehicles works — though most of that manufacturing has since closed, and the old industrial buildings have been replaced or repurposed, most notably at the Paintworks creative quarter.
Today, Brislington is split broadly into two halves. West Brislington, closer to Arnos Vale and Temple Meads, draws younger professionals and is walkable to the Paintworks and city centre. East Brislington is quieter, more residential and popular with families, with wider streets, larger gardens and proximity to green spaces like Victory Park and Eastwood Farm Nature Reserve.
Sandy Park Road is the hub of the community, home to independent shops that give the area its character. Enjoy coffee and treats at Kin or The Deli, pick up fresh produce at Sandy Park Greengrocers, or discover handmade treasures at These Two Hands, the base for local makers and the BS4 Arts Trail. Nearby, the A4 Bath Road offers a retail park, supermarkets, and the Brislington Park & Ride.