Peaceful zone by motorway where you can ‘get in touch with nature’
As you travel along the M32 towards Filton and Frenchay, the striking yellow structure of Stoke Park is bound to catch your eye on the left side of the motorway. But if you glance to the right, there's an ever-expanding gem of nature where locals can roll up their sleeves and get stuck into gardening at no cost. Grow Wilder, part of M16's green landscape, comes under the stewardship of Avon Wildlife Trust and features a tapestry of fields and diverse spaces that include everything from ponds to wildflower meadows.
Chris Kaboutian, who puts in the hard yards on site, tells us about the vast range of ponds they nurture, with sizes varying from expansive bodies of water down to those no bigger than a washing-up bowl. "We want to show people how easy it is to get in touch with nature," he shares warmly. Each tour around the site normally starts after Chris tends to his latest customer eager to pick up a recycled lawnmower, with the proceeds funneled straight back into the development of the site.
"Whatever we do here is rippled out," Chris remarks, gesturing towards an assortment of polytunnels and horticultural paraphernalia. A winding path invites visitors to meander through the fields, duck beneath willow branches, and admire swathes of flourishing wildflowers one daffodil standing proudly as the seasons first bloom. Serene spots are dotted throughout for guests to appreciate the oasis of calm and, despite the proximity of the motorway, a leafy buffer subdues the urban drone.
Two volunteers gardening.
Grow Wilder encourages people to create their own wild spaces
(Image: Chris Kaboutian)Volunteers at Grow Wilder can get involved hands-on with looking after the site, from heavy lifting and land managing to planting flowers and shrubs. A range of local businesses also run out of the site, including a large woodworking lodge. Grow Wilder also offers growing locations for local veg box businesses, which provide fresh vegetables for people throughout Bristol.
Chris, who showed me around the site, explained that he started working in Grow Wilder a few years ago, after a career change when deciding he wanted to spend more time in nature. He thinks this sentiment is growing with people in Bristol, despite growing digitisation of work.
(Image: Chris Kaboutian)
He said: "I think Bristol is a real hotbed for people going back to the simple things, natural things, using their hands to do things, getting away from screens. "Doing productive things for people and wildlife on land.
That's a big driver given all the development that's happening around us. "I think it's them saying, or implying, 'I wanna be part of a project, but I also want to do something great on land for people and wildlife'."
People can also learn traditional hedgelaying methods like this one (Image: Chris Kaboutian)
Grow Wilder is holding a community open day today (March 1), where people can decide the future of a 5 acre brownfield site nearby. The site is being looked after and restored by a group of 13-18 year olds who are supporting Avon Wildlife Trust's project and delivery.
Throughout the day, people will be invited to take part in guided nature walks, learn about the site's history, meet the young people creating a new nature site and meet the local goats.