Physical Influences
Geology
7.2.1 The northern part of the area is of the Lower
and Middle Jurassic period marked by limestone over clay while the
lower part of High Common and the Royal Victoria Park is Lias Clay.
The western fringe of the area is White and Blue Lias
Limestone.
Landform and Drainage Pattern
7.2.2 The landform of Sion Hill and Upper Lansdown
slopes steeply to the south while Weston Park slopes more gently in
the same direction. The northernmost part of the area at Lansdown
Park is up on the Cotswold plateau.
7.2.3 St Winifred's Well above Sion Hill and the
spring at the Hermitage are two sources of the Mud Brook that flows
south to the River Avon.
Land Use and Buildings
Land Use
7.2.4 The principal land uses throughout the area
are residential and public open space. The most notable open spaces
are the High Common, Royal Victoria Park, the Botanic Gardens and
the Lower Common allotments. Schools are also significant land uses
in the area.
Building Form, Age and Heights
7.2.5 The majority of buildings in the area are set
in spacious gardens and range from large C19 villas (some now
converted to flats); an early C19 four storey terrace; understated
single storey late C20 houses; and mid C20 two storey houses. There
are two exceptional building types: two mid C19 day and boarding
schools and two excellent examples of cottage ornee. Two small
areas of C20 terraces with small gardens contrast with the overall
character.
Materials and Architectural Details
7.2.6 The majority of the area's buildings are built
of natural Bath stone ashlar with natural slate or clay tile roofs.
Postwar C20 terraced housing to the west and north of the area is
built of reconstituted Bath stone with concrete tile roofs. There
is a fine example of late C18 cottage ornee brickwork with a stone
tiled veranda in Gothic Cottage, Sion Hill.
Streets and Civic Spaces
Street Pattern
7.2.7 The organic street pattern of the area
reflects its topography, watercourses and incremental
development.
Density and Degree of Enclosure
7.2.8 The C19 villas and schools and C20 two storey
detached and semi-detached houses of the area give a low density
with only occasional views to the hillsides and valleys outside the
area. The important large mature trees and garden planting
throughout the area add to the overall sense of enclosure, perhaps
surprising in a hillside area such as this though it exudes a sense
of spaciousness from within.
Vitality and Tranquillity
7.2.9
The quiet tranquillity of the majority of the area is only broken
by the busyness of the two principal roads running through the
area: Lansdown Road and Weston Road. Car parking dominates the
perimeter and internal roads of Royal Victoria Park.
Materials and Boundary Treatment
7.2.10
The large architect designed villas in their spacious grounds have
mature trees and are contained by high natural Bath stone boundary
walls and hedges. These emphasise privacy with tranquillity.
Pennant stone kerbs help to harmonise and reflect quality and
care.
7.2.11
Exceptions to this within the area include two mid C20 developments
that are open plan. They are both characterized by the survival of
mature trees from earlier landscapes. In both cases their spacious
quality results from the careful layout with wide verges, open
front lawns, good size back gardens and open access as originally
designed. They are both very well maintained.
Influence of Vegetation and Open Space
Trees and Shrubs
7.2.12
Mature trees everywhere dominate the entire area. It is this
notable tree cover that gives the strength of overall unity and
coherence to the area. Generous amounts of shrub cover make an
important contribution to the vegetation that unifies the area at
street level.
Open Space
7.2.13
The series of public open spaces, notably the High Common, Royal
Victoria Park, the Botanic Gardens and the Lower Common allotments
are key components of the area and provide a breathing space and
gathering place for the city as well as a venue for fun fairs, the
annual flower show, concerts, balloon flight launches and a place
for play and recreation.
Features, Landmarks and Views
7.2.14
The series of public open spaces, notably the High Common, Royal
Victoria Park, the Botanic Gardens and the Lower Common allotments
are a key feature of the area. The structure of tall trees provides
a strong visual anchor to the whole area.
7.2.15
The towers of Kingswood and Royal Schools are local landmarks. High
Common has strong views to the south. The majority of the views out
of the character area are to the south and are often glimpsed or
framed between trees and buildings. The exception is the Lansdown
Park plateau where views are to the sky.
Cultural Influences
Historic Uses
7.2.16
The principal use of the area has been residential and educational.
Significant mediaeval and Roman archaeological features survive in
this area. The early C19 creation of Beckford's Ride was a
significant landscape feature that ran through the area, linking
Beckford's Tower to north of the area and Beckford's residence in
Lansdown Crescent to the east.
