The "Novers"

The area generally known as "The Novers" is in fact two areas. The first – Novers Common, the area including and either side of the steps. The second area is between the Knowle West Health Park, Kingsweir and Torpoint Roads, and Haldon Close on the eastern end of the area.

The whole area is surrounded by the Knowle West Health Park, Kingsweir Road, Torpoint Road, Haldon Close, Lynton Road and Novers Hill.

The top part of the area between the Knowle West Health Park and the informal path across the site known as "The Scar" is mainly in private ownership, after a Public Inquiry in the 1980's rejected a proposal to build houses on this area. In a much publicised deal the Council negotiated with the developer (Lovells) to buy the site for £1, but the deal was never finalised!

The area is popular for dog walking, taking in the stunning views across Bristol, and for keeping fit by walking up and down the steps.

Future Aims

Keep the area "the way we've always known it". To "seal the deal" on the developers land and get it back for the community to use. We also want to promote the use of the natural paths across the site, including The Scar and to thin out some of the vegetation already on site – and of course to enhance the whole site for people and wildlife.

History

The land and surrounding area was part of the Smythe Estate. With the disposal of land for death duties Novers Common was donated to the people of Bristol, and the surrounding land sold to the then Bristol Corporation. Lady Smythe's mansion and remaining part of the Estate at Ashton Court, can be seen clearly from the Novers.

Even further back in history the area was part of the king's wood and was hunted upon by royals and nobility. At one point in the early 20th Century the area was part of a rifle range, located at the foot of the hill.

Vistas across Bristol

The area can be access from various points – Lynton Road, Parson Street, Novers Park Road, Novers Hill, Torpoint Road, the Malago Greenway and the Health Park.

From the area you can see - Highridge, Hartcliffe, Dundry, Bedminster Down, Clifton (Suspension Bridge and Observatory), Brandon Hill, Ashton Court, Long Ashton, Ashton, Bedminster, Windmill Hill, Purdown, Totterdown and Knowle – this means that the Novers can be seen from these points as well.

Views of the locals
This is the only place I have ever been near horses - Terry
The hill is my sanity factor to living in the city - Julia

Comments...
are invited on additions, ideas and opinions to this page or the web site in general. Please go to the "contact us" for details.

Action plan

The Northern Slopes Initiative has an Action Plan for the area - click here to download it: [download]
(Tip: To view, simply click the preceding link, to download, "right click" the link and select "save target as")