A sponsored walk with a difference will take place this Saturday [7 May] when hundreds of people will push wheelbarrows of exotic plants across Bristol to help with the relocation of Bristol University’s Botanic Garden.

The Botanic Garden, with its 4,500 species of plant from all over the world, is moving from its current site at Bracken Hill to The Holmes in Stoke Bishop.  This will be the third time the 123-year-old garden has been relocated.  Established in 1882 at a site on University Road, it then moved to a new location on Tyndall Avenue.  In 1959 it was moved to Bracken Hill, former home of Melville Wills, a noted benefactor of the University.

The walk, organised by the Friends of the Botanic Garden, is open to all.  The route is approximately one-and-a-half miles long from Bracken Hill in North Road, Leigh Woods, across the Suspension Bridge, down the Promenade, across the top of Bridge Valley Road to the Downs, across the road to Stoke Hill, then turning into Stoke Park Road to The Holmes. The route is mostly level, although a slight deviation along Ladies Mile may be necessary to avoid anyone in a wheelchair having to cross the grass on the Downs.

Refreshments will be provided at The Holmes at the end of the walk and transport can be arranged back to Bracken Hill. The walk will be an opportunity to visit this unique garden before it is relocated to its new home, where it will make an even stronger contribution to education, research and public enjoyment. 

Any monies raised from sponsorship will support projects at the new garden.  Those who would like to take part are invited to meet at Bracken Hill at 10 am for a 10.30 am start.

For further details or directions, contact Pat Davie, tel 07802 337521, or the Curator at the Botanic Garden, tel Bristol 973 3682.