WITH its expansive fields, river valley views and tree-lined paths, it’s easy to see why David Attenborough once called the Bristol Downs the “jewel in the city’s crown”.
But locals are despairing over the growing number of people choosing to make the lush green area their home - by setting up camp in vans and motorhomes.
In 2024 the scenic south west city was not named in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live round-up for the first time in the guide’s 12-year history - having previously topped the list in 2017 - in part due to its “ruthless” property market.
According to 2023 figures, Bristol is the most expensive place to live in Britain outside London.
It’s the lack of affordable homes that have forced hundreds of people to give up on conventional living and turn to a life on wheels.
A recent report from Bristol City Council says there are now up to 800 inhabitants of vans, motorhomes and caravans around the Downs - made up of Clifton Down and Durdham Down.
It’s now the city with the largest number of van dwellers in the UK, and angry residents say they are “disgusted”.
The free parking makes life easier for those living in the 650 vehicles - a figure which has quadrupled since 2020 - in the area, recently dubbed ‘Caravan City’.
Helen Morris, 79, has been walking the Downs area for 40 years, and lived there since 2013.
She tells The Sun: “I think it’s disgusting that they are allowed to live here.
“They’ve parked directly on our road in the past and I’ve called the police because of the noise and mess.
“They make such a mess with their rubbish, I’d like them to disappear and think the council should do something about it."
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