Southmead

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Map sources for Southmead at grid reference ST585785

Southmead is a suburb of Bristol, in the southwest of England. Although its name might suggest otherwise, it is located in the northern part of the city, near the town of Filton (in South Gloucestershire), and Horfield (another Bristol suburb).

The area lends its name to the NHS-run Southmead Hospital, although this is actually situated in the neighbouring district of Westbury on Trym. Central Southmead features a variety of shops surrounded by very grassy areas and wide roads.

The construction of Southmead started in 1931, when the Bristol Corporation built 1,500 houses there, partly in order to house families cleared from the slums of central Bristol, and partly to address the housing shortage at the time. A further 1,100 houses were built after World War II. Since then, reference has often been made to the "pre-war estate" of Southmead and the "post-war estate". The "pre-war" area was known as being the worse part of Southmead and this reputation had an unfortunate self-fulfilling effect: the "post-war" development is visibly in a better condition and has fewer social and crime problems.

In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the area's social problems and implement environmental improvements, many of which have been successful. This is thought to be one of Bristols roughest places but it is well under way for making a change in the right direction.