Living in Hawkfield Business Park

As a business park, Hawkfield Business Park has a community shaped primarily by the local workforce and businesses. There is a sense of day-time community, with professionals regularly frequenting the same cafés and communal spaces during their workday.

The nearby residential districts of Hengrove, Whitchurch, and Knowle offer a more traditional community atmosphere, with thriving local networks, family activities, and events. Hengrove Park, adjacent to the business park, is a major green space popular for walking, dog-walking, and outdoor exercise. The South Bristol Sports Centre, a short walk away, hosts sports clubs, fitness classes, and community events, strengthening bonds among locals. Farmers’ markets and local festivals in the wider south Bristol area also foster a sense of belonging.

Hawkfield Business Park, as a business and commercial area, typically experiences lower residential crime rates due to its limited housing and significant presence of businesses. The area is covered by Bristol’s community policing teams, who maintain a regular presence during business hours and promote secure working environments.

Instances of opportunistic crime, such as vehicle break-ins and property-related offences, are sometimes reported, particularly out of hours. However, most businesses in the park employ security measures like CCTV, gated entry and perimeter fencing. The nearby residential areas, such as Hengrove and Whitchurch, have varying crime statistics, generally aligning with the Bristol average. Community initiatives and neighbourhood watches in these zones contribute to overall safety and awareness.

Parking in Hawkfield Business Park is generally good, with dedicated parking areas for businesses, visitors, and deliveries. Most units and offices feature on-site parking, and additional overflow car parks accommodate peak times. Street parking around the park is controlled and often time-restricted, prioritising business users during the workday.

Due to its proximity to the A4174, as well as the A4 and A37, Hawkfield Business Park is well connected for those arriving by car. Congestion is moderate during peak rush hours, especially at the junction with Hengrove Way. The following key road links make Hawkfield Business Park a convenient location for commuters:

• Bristol city centre – approx. 20 minutes via A4174/A4
• Bath – approx. 40 minutes via A4 (15 miles)
• Portishead – approx. 30 minutes via A4174/M5 (16 miles)
• Weston-super-Mare – approx. 35 minutes via A370 (22 miles)
• Keynsham – approx. 25 minutes via A4174 (8 miles)

Access to Bristol Ring Road and key motorways is straightforward, enhancing connectivity for both local and regional business traffic.

The food, pubs, and nightlife scene directly within Hawkfield Business Park is limited due to its predominantly commercial focus. On-site, workers can find a selection of cafés, sandwich shops, and mobile food vans that cater to the daytime workforce with options ranging from hot breakfasts and lunches to snacks and coffee.

For a wider variety of eating and drinking options, the nearby neighbourhoods of Hengrove, Whitchurch, and Knowle offer local pubs such as the Toby Carvery, The Yeoman, and The Charlton. Popular takeaways, including Chinese, fish and chips, and Indian cuisine, are scattered throughout south Bristol.

For nightlife, the area is subdued and quiet after business hours. Bristol's city centre, reachable in about 20 minutes, is the nearest destination for bars, clubs, and vibrant entertainment, while Hengrove Leisure Park offers an out-of-town multiplex cinema, restaurants, and bowling.

School Quality: Families living in neighbouring parts of south Bristol benefit from several well-rated primary and secondary schools, most notably Bridge Learning Campus and Parson Street Primary School, both praised by Ofsted.

Parks and Green Space: The close proximity of Hengrove Park means families have access to substantial green space for play, sports, and outdoor activities.

Childcare: Local nurseries and after-school clubs are available in Hengrove, Whitchurch, and Knowle. These provide flexible options for working parents associated with businesses in the park.

Safety: The business park is generally a safe environment during business hours, benefitting from security measures common in commercial locations. Nearby residential areas reflect broader trends in south Bristol.

Family Activities: The adjacent South Bristol Sports Centre, Hengrove Leisure Park (including cinema and leisure pool), and regular family-friendly community events make the area appealing for those seeking activities close to work or home.

Pet-friendly living around Hawkfield Business Park is enhanced by easy access to green spaces like Hengrove Park, where dog walkers are frequently seen. The park’s open fields and trails provide ample space for dogs and families to stretch their legs, with additional dog-walking routes available in the surrounding areas of Whitchurch and Knowle.

Several veterinary practices, such as Hengrove Vets and Whitchurch Veterinary Surgery, are within a short drive from Hawkfield Business Park. Local pet shops, including chain and independent outlets, cater for day-to-day needs. Housing in nearby residential districts is generally accommodating of pets, and many local cafés and pubs now welcome well-behaved dogs.

Transport and accessibility are among Hawkfield Business Park's greatest strengths. The area benefits from straightforward road links to the A4174 South Bristol Link Road and the A4 Bath Road, offering easy access to central Bristol, Bath, and the ring road connecting to the M32, M4, and M5 motorways.

Several First Bus services link Hawkfield Business Park to Bristol city centre, Temple Meads railway station, and suburbs like Bishopsworth and Brislington. The nearest mainline rail station is Parson Street, offering connections toward Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Temple Meads. Bristol Parkway is accessible by car or bus for wider regional connections.

Key commute times from Hawkfield Business Park:

• Bristol city centre – approx. 20 minutes by car/bus (5 miles)
• Bath – approx. 40 minutes by car (15 miles)
• Bristol Temple Meads – approx. 20 minutes via A4174/A4
• Bristol Airport – approx. 18 minutes by car (7 miles via A38)

Although Hawkfield Business Park itself has no schools or colleges on site, residents in nearby areas have access to a range of educational establishments in south Bristol.

Primary Schools:
- Bridge Learning Campus (Ofsted rated 'Good', 2019) provides a modern, all-through education from early years to secondary.
- Parson Street Primary School (Ofsted rated 'Outstanding', 2021), located near Bedminster, is known for its vibrant and inclusive learning environment.

Secondary Schools:
- Bridge Learning Campus (as above) serves as an all-through option.
- Oasis Academy John Williams (Ofsted rated 'Good', 2018) is a large secondary school in Hengrove, popular with families in south Bristol.
- St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School (Ofsted rated 'Good', 2018) is located in Whitchurch and serves a wide catchment area.

Independent and Special Schools:
- Merchants’ Academy (Ofsted rated 'Good', 2020) in Withywood offers secondary education and a sixth form.
- Kingswood School and Redmaids’ High School are accessible by public transport for independent options.

Colleges and Universities:
- City of Bristol College (South Bristol Skills Academy campus) is close to Hawkfield Business Park, providing further education, apprenticeships and vocational courses.
- The University of Bristol and University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) are both around 25 to 35 minutes by car or public transport, broadening access to higher education for locals.