Help shape the future of victoria park lodge

4th june 2026

Have Your Say on the Future of Victoria Park Lodge

At the heart of Victoria Park in Windmill Hill stands a building that many local residents pass every day, but few have had the opportunity to use to its full potential. The former park keeper's lodge, nestled between Somerset Terrace and the bowling green, has long been a familiar feature of the park's landscape. Now, local organisations are working together to transform this neglected building into a vibrant community hub, and they want your input!

A Building Full of Potential

Victoria Park Lodge occupies a unique position in one of South Bristol's most loved green spaces. Surrounded by dense city housing and situated in a park that welcomes thousands of visitors year-round, the lodge is ideally placed to become a focal point for community life.

Unfortunately, the building has fallen into disrepair over the years. While it currently provides storage for equipment used during community events and houses public toilets that many users describe as inadequate, much of the lodge remains underused. Its condition limits what the building can offer local people and prevents it from fulfilling its potential as a valuable community asset.

Yet despite its current state, the lodge represents an exciting opportunity.

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A Shared Vision for the Future

Two local organisations, Windmill Hill City Farm and the Victoria Park Action Group (VPAG), have come together with a shared vision: to create a thriving, multi-use community building that enhances the park and serves the people who use it.

The proposal builds upon earlier work undertaken in 2018, when plans were first developed to restore and revitalise the lodge. While those plans provide a valuable starting point, the project team is keen to revisit and update the vision in partnership with today's community.

The goal is not simply to renovate a building. It is to create a sustainable community facility that supports local activities, provides essential amenities, celebrates the park's heritage, and contributes positively to the wider neighbourhood. Previous community engagement has consistently identified improved public toilets and café facilities as key priorities for park users.

download the plans

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What Could the Lodge Become?

The current proposal seeks to balance community benefit with financial sustainability.

Plans being explored include:

Modern, accessible public toilets
A café kiosk serving drinks, snacks, and cakes
A small activity room for exhibitions, environmental projects, and community initiatives
Improved landscaping and outdoor seating areas
A residential flat or studio space on the first floor to generate income that helps support the community facilities below

The intention is to create a building that works for everyone, from families enjoying a day in the park to volunteers, community groups, and local residents looking for a welcoming place to connect.

The surrounding gardens also form an important part of the vision. By opening up currently underused areas, removing overgrown boundaries, and creating spaces for volunteers and visitors to enjoy, the lodge could become far more integrated into the life of the park.

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Why It Matters

The project addresses several important local needs.

For park users, it would provide better facilities and services, making visits more enjoyable and accessible. For the community, it offers an opportunity to restore a historic building and strengthen local pride in Victoria Park. For Bristol City Council, it presents a chance to transfer responsibility for an ageing asset to organisations committed to maintaining and enhancing it for public benefit.

Importantly, the lodge could also become a base for environmental education, nature projects, volunteer activities, and community events, helping to deepen connections between people and the park's green spaces. Community feedback gathered in recent years has highlighted strong support for more creative, educational, and nature-based activities within the park.

Have Your Say!

This project is still in its early stages, and community feedback will play a crucial role in shaping what happens next.

The future of Victoria Park Lodge is not yet decided. The organisations involved are seeking views on what facilities, services, and activities local people would most value, helping ensure the final plans reflect the needs of those who use the park every day.

With the right support, Victoria Park Lodge could once again become a cherished part of the park, not just as a historic building, but as a welcoming community space that brings people together for generations to come.

Now is the time to help shape that future.

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