Living in Lockleaze all my life, Stoke Park and the Frome Valley have been my extended back garden for over 50 years. I have extensively studied the history of Stoke Park estate and spent years and years investigating the myths, stories and legends, learning all the facts and findings as the park changed hands and ownership over the years, and studying the original plans, designs and reports from the 18th century to the present day.
I now regularly run history tours to take you back in time throughout the park, sharing the fascinating history of the Dower House (the yellow building in Stoke Park estate you see by the M32) and look at the wonderful features, hidden structures and monuments dating back to the 11th century.
Through the want of sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years, I regularly am invited to run history walks and tours of the area, both by the Bristol City council and by private groups and individuals.
My keen eye for geology allows me to take my audience millions of years back in time and allow all ages to experience a little of the world as it was in pre-historic times. Events and walks can include fossil hunting, geology and geography of the frome valley and more recent history from the past 5 centuries in local parks, green spaces and estates.
What History & Geology Events do I run?
History and Geology walks & talks can be tailored to the needs of the group but my most popular tours include:
- The History of the Stoke Park Estate
Looking at the Dower House as an institution, woodlands, monuments, landscape design & hidden histories within the parkland - The History of Purdown
Looking at the Purdown Gun Emplacement & “Purdown Percy”, the ancient history of the land, the Purdown BT tower & the history of Heath House Estate. - The geology of the Frome Valley
A riverside event looking at geology and fossils along the Frome Valley - Ghost Walks
A history tour with a spooky twist – looking at the spooky & haunting history of the estate, including the history of the mental institutions in the area alongside the legends, myths, murders & mysteries
For private history tours, please get in touch with steveenglandbristol@gmail.com or keep an eye on my Upcoming events to find out about the next history tours.