Ask someone in north Bristol where Highridge is and they may struggle to put down a finger on a map. The area is certainly the lesser-known sister of the three housing estates built in south Bristol in the 1950s, the other two being Hartcliffe and Withywood.
Positioned within the ward of Bishopsworth, it sits on the south western edge of the city - and is bound by the two main roads, the A4174 Coliters Way and the Bristol Airport-bound Bridgwater Road.
It has one shop, a salon, a children’s centre and a kebab hut. There is also a well-run football club, Highridge United, which also offers up as a social club which is popular locally. The beers are cheap too.
The area also has the cheapest housing in the city. Last year, the average house price was £250,000. Alongside Hartcliffe, it was the joint cheapest place to buy property in all of Bristol.
There are also issues. Deprivation levels are well above average. There are also problems with antisocial behaviour in areas like Lakemead Grove, and the suburb is set to lose its last bus service on September 3.
But what we found on a Sunday morning was a strong community packed full of characters. Here are 14 pictures of life on the Highridge estate:
1. The only pub/social club
Highridge Football Club has a social club which is small, but at the heart of the community and is attended daily by a group of loyal regulars. The club also puts on regular events like an Oasis tribute night last week. Drinks are cheap too. Pint of San Miguel is £4.20, a Thatcher Dry is £3.50. Joanne Bridges is chair of the club, and she loves the area. She said: “It’s a close community which everyone is made to feel part of, and everyone looks out for each other.”
2. Football
Away from the social club, Highridge United Football Club is a well-run club. It has three adult teams, and four youth. Its first team play in the Bristol and District League. The pitch is well looked after with fencing and dugouts around it.
3. Fast food
It’s closed when we are there - but we get told that Highridge Kebab stand serves the best kebabs in the city. The only evidence we found was burger and kebab wrapping left around the area, unfortunately.
4. Housing
Most of the 1950s-built housing estate is now privately owned, and there’s signs of movement in the area with a few ‘for sale’ and ‘sold’ signs. Latest figures show the average property price in Highridge was £250,000. Along with Hartcliffe, it is the cheapest place to buy a house in the city.