Lush and green, the south-east facing slope of the Ridge is a
hidden oasis of pleasant walks, with a diverse range of wildlife and unrivalled views over Bristol and towards Bath. Have a wander among the grassland and scrub, and discover the woodland and two ponds, which are home to a variety of birds, butterflies and the occasional badger and fox.
Cock Road may have got its name from the old practice of trapping wild birds – such as woodcock – along the forest’s narrow pathways. The Great Oak by the pond is possibly one of the original trees. There is a wheel chair and footpath access point at the north-east end plus a footpath access point leading from Wraxall Road.
The Cock Road gang didn’t help the unruly and lawless reputation that Kingswood had from the late 18th century. Eventually the Bristol authorities rounded them up, so that by early Victorian times most of the gang were in prison, hanged or sent overseas.