About the Castle Park project
Castle Park sits at the heart of a rapidly changing Bristol. It's an important place with a history stretching back to the city's beginnings in the 11th century.
Everyone who lives and works in Bristol should feel that they can use and enjoy the city's parks and green spaces.
In September 2025 we ran a city-wide engagement exercise called Castle Park Conversations. This was to capture the thoughts from people of all ages and backgrounds to help make sure Castle Park is welcoming for everybody.
We know from the consultation feedback on the City Centre Development and Delivery Plan that Castle Park has its challenges. The consultation showed that people want to improve Castle Park and keep it green and welcoming.
For the next steps, we'll discuss and test ideas that came from the consultation. We want to make real improvements to the area.
The vision established through this engagement is to make Castle Park a place that is:
- inclusive
- connected
- respected
- celebrated
- strengthened
Castle Park and the wider city centre
Developments at Broadmead, St Mary-le-Port and Temple Quarter are reshaping the city centre. Castle Park has an important role to play in how people move, connect and spend time in this changing part of Bristol.
These parts of the city centre have been identified with the greatest need for changes and represent the primary areas of opportunity for regeneration.
A vision for Castle Park's masterplan already exists in the pdf City Centre Development and Delivery Plan(21.71 MB) , which sets out how Bristol city centre should evolve in the coming years. We're now in the next stages of developing this proposal into a deliverable and phased project.
Map of the City Centre Development and Delivery Plan study area:
Previous work on Castle Park
Many people have already shared their views, and we've listened to all feedback.
We need to look at what's possible, testing our thinking with local people and businesses to take the next steps along the path to creating a better Castle Park.
The latest work builds on years of discussion and planning for Castle Park, including our consultation in 2022.
This consultation spoke to a range of groups through meetings, workshops and an online survey, featuring an interactive map, which generated more than 300 responses.
You can read the feedback shared on page 113 in the pdf Bristol City Centre Development and Delivery Plan(14.38 MB) .
This follows several consultations and surveys on Castle Park over the last 15 years. The development and delivery plan builds on this.
Over the past decade the surrounding area has seen Bristol's most rapid population growth and significant development.
We want to:
- build on the work we've already done
- work with you to make sure Castle Park continues to reflect our changing city
This is where everyone who lives, works near or visits Castle Park can help us.
Next steps
We need to look at what's possible, testing our thinking with local people and businesses to take the next steps along the path to creating a better Castle Park.
Over the summer months, we'll:
- share how your feedback in the latest engagement events, Castle Park Conversations, has fed into the design process
- invite people to get involved and contribute to the next stage of the design process
- share planning proposals with the public, from late 2026
Not everything is up for discussion. We'll be clear about where your ideas can make a difference, especially on play, safety, accessibility and caring for the park.
We're especially keen to find out:
- your ideas for play, safety and accessibility
- what would make the park feel more welcoming and better connected