Staple Hill Story Walk

room 13 ECHOES

Location: Bristol, South Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

An audio walk through Staple Hill, with stories in Page Park, Broad Street and the much loved High Street.

Recommended route: Start at The Bean Tree Cafe in Page Park; leave the park, cross road and walk down south side of Broad Street; after 'Men's suits & Clarks Pies' cross the road and walk back up towards park, finishing in Fountain Square. Walk can also be done the other way round...or any way you fancy!

Please take care when doing this walk! We recommend pausing stories to cross roads!

Recorded and produced by Richard Lobb. Additional production, research and support by Melody Beard and Freya Smith.

Funded by South Gloucester Council, Thrive Grant.


DOWNLOAD OUR APP TO DISCOVER THIS TOUR AND MANY OTHERS.

play-storeapp-store

The Echoes


A Memorable Football Match

Bob talks about playing football for Staple Hill and a famous game against a certain well know team …

Secrets Of The Clock Tower

Maureen and Diane remember the goings-on behind the wooden walls of the Clock Tower

Fairground in 50s

Bob recalls vivid memories from his childhood of spectacular fairground attractions right here in Pa…

Maureen's Memories

Maureen takes a break from table tennis to tell us what she remembers...

The Fish 'n' Chip Shop

Sue tells us all about her parents popular Fish 'n' Chip shop...where she still lives today!

On The Corner Of Bath Street

Pat & Jean remember shops of old and an unwanted surprise from the butcher!

Living On The High Street

Beth describes the difference between growing up on a quiet street of Downend and living above a pub…

Uncle Walt's TV Shop

Barbara & Dave remember Uncle Walt's TV Shop (now Sheen Studio) and the unexpected reason he couldn'…

Men's Suits & Clarks Pies

Pam & Jean discuss made-to-measure men's suits and 'fabulous' Clarks Pies!

Regal Cinema

Frank, Diane and Bob talk about getting in for free, scary movies and more!

Ping Pong At The Church

Frank talks about where and why the started playing table tennis, which they still play every Monday…

Reverend 'Uncle' Bob

The amazing story of one of Staple Hill's most famous sons and a VERY famous ship! (Told by actor R…

and 1 more echoes…
Discover more geolocated content in our apps.
play-storeapple-app-store

Or start creating tours, treasure hunts, POI maps... Just let your imagination guide you.


Other walks nearby

The House with Twelve Doors

The House with Twelve Doors

This 'solve-it-yourself' mystery audio trail is set in Page Park, Bristol. Start the trail on the app, enter the park at the south west corner and have a look at the locations shown on the map just inside this gate. Go to the drinking fountain and you’ll be able to see the house where the park elf wants to meet you! Please take care when doing this trail. It takes about 1 hour to complete. Listen carefully to the audio clues. Many will repeat if you re-enter the Echo, but overall progress will be lost if the app crashes (e.g. don't touch the top right "lines" icon). Downloading is better than streaming. If the "engine pauses" you just need to walk into one of the Echoes and the audio will self-start. 04/12/22.
free
The Eastville Park Soundwalk

The Eastville Park Soundwalk

Download this sound walk beforehand for the best experience.
free
Oldland Common Walk

Oldland Common Walk

Oldland Common Walk with Hatters' Trail - from Bitton Parish History Group
free
Joe Bristol

Joe Bristol

free
Walking Words: Hamilton House via Stokes Croft to the Unitarian and Bearpit

Walking Words: Hamilton House via Stokes Croft to the Unitarian and Bearpit

Hamilton House to the Unitarian via Stokes Croft and the Bearpit Poets: Pete Weinstock / David C Johnson Stokes Croft The road takes its name from John Stokes, mayor of Bristol in the late 14th century.His will recorded the area as "Berewykse Croft in Redeland", while the will of Nicholas Excestre, who died in 1434, named it "formerly John Stoke's close". It runs through the historic manor of Barton, which was recorded in the Domesday Book and part of the City of Bristol since 1373. Stokes Croft was predominantly rural until around 1700, being mainly used for market gardening. Urban development was first logged in the parish records of 1678, while St James Square, to the west of Stokes Croft, was laid out by around 1710. John Roque's map of Bristol 1750 shows the area built up and running north of a central courtyard between Stokes Croft, North Street and Wilder Street. Though industries were established on Stokes Croft during the 18th century, the road was not fully developed and built-up until around 1850. Construction of the Carriage Works at No. 104 began in 1859, while the City Road Baptist Church was built in 1861. The area was damaged badly in World War II, with many buildings destroyed on Stokes Croft and King Square. St James' Fair St James' Fair was an annual fortnight of excitement, adventure and entertainment for the people of Bristol. Beginning in the 13th century in and around the churchyard of St James, it originally took place during the feast of St James at the end of July, but by the 19th century it was held during the first two weeks of September. It attracted traders and shows from all across the UK and overseas, which included, according to the exhibitors list, wild beasts, waxworks, flying coaches, peep shows, a camera obscura, air bathing, a revolving panorama, dwarves, giants, and even 'a learned pig'. Traders sold goods ranging from earthenware pots to silk ribbons, and there were food and drink stalls, theatres, and fair ground rides. Bush houses, unlicensed pubs identified by an evergreen garland or bush, were also extremely popular until they were outlawed in 1815.
free
Misfits on the Move - Stokes Croft

Misfits on the Move - Stokes Croft

A short poetry walk with the theme of 'Identity' - from Hamilton House to The Bear Pit by The Misfits Poetry Group. We are a group of learning disabled people based at Hamilton House, Bristol
free
Strodex - Tottertone

Strodex - Tottertone

Chaos + Harmony. Moving + Discovering. Explore your journey through Totterdown, listening to the undulating moments and abrasion of sounds upon each other. Pause. Take your time, listen. What you are hearing right now, you will never hear again. You are here. Karl Sadler is a sound artist who has been recording and monitoring the Bristol Hum since the pandemic lockdowns in 2019.
free
I Watch You as You Disappear 04/12/19

I Watch You as You Disappear 04/12/19

MA project
free
Walking Words: Queens Square to St Mary Redcliffe

Walking Words: Queens Square to St Mary Redcliffe

Poets : Martin Rieser and Elizabeth Parker Chatterton at St Mary Redcliffe's past and Present Thomas Chatterton (20 November 1752 – 24 August 1770) was an English poet whose precocious talents ended in suicide at age 17. He was an influence on Romantic artists of the period such as Shelley, Keats, Wordsworth and Coleridge. Although fatherless and raised in poverty, Chatterton was an exceptionally studious child, publishing mature work by the age of 11. He was able to pass off his work as that of an imaginary 15th-century poet called Thomas Rowley, chiefly because few people at the time were familiar with medieval poetry, though he was denounced by Horace Walpole. At 17, he sought outlets for his political writings in London, having impressed the Lord Mayor, William Beckford, and the radical leader John Wilkes, but his earnings were not enough to keep him, and he poisoned himself in despair.
free

Are you a creator?

START HERE

Privacy & cookie policy / Terms and conditions

© ECHOES. All rights reserved / ECHOES.XYZ Limited is a company registered in England and Wales, Registered office at Merston Common Cottage, Merston, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 1BE

v2.4.29 © ECHOES. All rights reserved.