Hallowed Ground
It is about 5pm on a Thursday afternoon in June, 2022 and I find myself in one of my favourite places in the whole world; Bristol Zoo.
We are in the midst of a mini-heatwave and today has been one of those astonishing English summer’s days, hazy but clear blue skies, a crisp yet simultaneously soft light and rarely felt heat has been beating down on the Zoo’s many visitors throughout the day.
But it is quiet now, 30 minutes before closing, most people have left for the day and I am standing in dappled shade, created by an array of extraordinarily majestic trees.
Everywhere I look I see trees and flowers, gardens astonishingly mature, verdant and lush. And wildlife. Exotic wildlife.
I’m in the middle of Bristol. I’m also in Eden. I don’t know how many times I have stood here and yet it never ceases to move me.
I have my 4-year-old son on my shoulders, and we are watching meerkats scurrying around right in front of us while in the near distance, we can see golden headed lion tamarin monkeys swinging through the trees.
As I stand here in these sacred surroundings - I cannot believe, that in just over 2 months’ time, these gardens are to be closed to the public for at least 5 years, sold to a private developer and turned into a luxury housing estate.
If the Zoo’s current proposal gets planning permission and goes ahead, where I’m standing right now will be someone’s multi-million pound private home and garden in around 5 years’ time, as will the iconic herbaceous border just behind me which will also be bulldozed.
Until then, this unique slice of paradise, 186 years of historic fabric, woven into the heart of the city, will be a building site. And afterwards, it will never be the same again.
Earlier today, my son and I left our home and travelled to the Zoo by bike. 15 minutes later, we were making eye contact with an Asiatic lion just metres in front of us. We then walked a short way along the famous Grand Terrace and watched Red Pandas peacefully munching on bamboo.
We see Western Lowland Gorillas eating their lunch.
Shortly afterwards we were spending time with South American fur seals moving through invitingly crystal clear salt water. Communing with wildlife. I look up and see the graceful architecture of Clifton College watching over us. A phenomenal juxtaposition of natural and urban, of people and animals; Bristol Zoological Gardens are unique.
Bristol Zoological Gardens have an intangible magic that you feel when you move around them, whether that’s on a crisp autumnal morning in the children’s play area against a backdrop of orange and yellow leaves.
At Christmas as you make your way back from the warmth of the Meerkat house along the lakeside boardwalk illuminated by fairy-like lanterns.
In early springtime when the pink and white cherry blossoms bloom.
Or on a luminous summer’s day when the gardens are in full and verdant splendour.
Bristol Zoological Gardens are a jewel in the crown of this city we all love. They are 186 years of the natural world, history and collective memories contained within a 12-acre site in the heart of a city. Once they are sold off to a private developer to be turned into luxury housing, they are gone forever and not coming back.
Save Bristol Zoo Gardens Campaign are asking anyone and everyone who has loved and still loves this very special place to join us in a fight to save these gardens for future generations.
I want my 5-month-old baby to experience what my 5-year-old son has for the past few years and what I and millions of others did for many generations before.
It’s not impossible.
It’s not inevitable.
It’s not too late.
Join us, and help us save, Bristol Zoological Gardens.