Bristol Zoo History

gentle lemur

gentle lemur

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Among the documents in Bristol's planning application for the redevelopment of the Clifton site are two 'Heritage Statements' which are retrospective papers about the history of the zoo. They contain maps and photos from different stages of the zoo's development, although I think that some of the dates are not accurate. It is a useful complement to book by Alan Ashy et al published by IZES some years ago. They may be downloaded from the Bristol planning website https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-ap...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=RD7NE0DN00J00
 
gentle lemur said:
Among the documents in Bristol's planning application for the redevelopment of the Clifton site are two 'Heritage Statements' which are retrospective papers about the history of the zoo. They contain maps and photos from different stages of the zoo's development, although I think that some of the dates are not accurate. It is a useful complement to book by Alan Ashy et al published by IZES some years ago. They may be downloaded from the Bristol planning website 22/02889/LA | Works to listed buildings to facilitate the redevelopment of the site to include 201 residential units (Class C3), community floorspace (Class E, F1 and F2), and open space with associated landscaping, play space, parking, accesses (pedestrian, cycle and vehicular), and infrastructure. Works to listed building including: access-works to the Guthrie Road entrance gates; the conversion of the Entrance Lodge to facilitate community floorspace, the residential conversion of the Giraffe House, and various restoration and refurbishment works to the Aquarium (former Bear Pit), Monkey Temple, and Birds of Prey Aviary to secure their future as part of accessible landscaped gardens. | Bristol Zoo Gardens Guthrie Road Bristol BS8 3HA
Click to expand...
I wasn't able to see the maps and photos. But some interesting facts emerge- if this all happens then as I suspected the Giraffe/Gorilla house will become 'residential' (but without the existing gorilla equipment;)) while the Aquarium/Bear Pit, Monkey Temple and BOP aviary will remain intact as other historic evidence of the former Zoo. The word 'demolition' is mentioned too but presumably this refers at least partly to internal animal fittings, though I presume residential buildings may completely replace the Seals & Coasts and the old Ape House/Nocturnal house buildings? Presumably the Restaurant/ Insect House buildings on the zoo boundaries will be available for conversion into flats too as would the old Lodge House in Guthrie Road?
 
Last edited:
I wonder if they'll leave the old wrought iron direction sign up on the wall in Guthrie Road?
 
Pertinax said:
I wasn't able to see the maps and photos.
Click to expand...
That's odd, they still work properly for me. The only strange thing is that the first part of the report, dealing with the buildings and their history, is labelled Part 2 of 2 and placed below the real second part, which is labelled Part 1 of 2, and largely deals with the gardens and the redevelopment of the site. They add up to 188 pages (or thereabouts, I didn't actually count them).
 
Ned said:
I wonder if they'll leave the old wrought iron direction sign up on the wall in Guthrie Road?
Click to expand...

I forget, does it say 'To The Zoo' with a big arrow? White(?) lettering on brown background? Many of their other older signs were in that format.

I can remember seeing people queuing all along the road and around the corner when their first Polar Bear cub Sebastian was born.
 
Pertinax said:
I forget, does it say 'To The Zoo' with a big arrow? White(?) lettering on brown background? Many of their other older signs were in that format.

I can remember seeing people queuing all along the road and around the corner when their first Polar Bear cub Sebastian was born.
Click to expand...

Yes, here's a picture. I remember it being a little different but it's been a while since I've seen it.

<---<<< TO THE ZOO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top