The Bearpit

This when built was a sunken space with subways leading off 4 ways, North, East, South and West. Surrounded by St James Barton roundabout carrying the A roads and like a subway setups. Intending to be a safe and 24/7 method of crossing without needing to cross such roads and no bridges needed either.

For many years until recently, it like most subway setups in Bristol was something to avoid at all costs as derelict, dirty and a known hangout for druggies and the utterly destitute.

I am glad though in recent years an effort has been made to clear, clean up and restore the space. It’s a lot cleaner now and while the sculptures and other art decorations such as the large Polar bear have been moved now and no sign of the green Bristol bus.

The greenery with the hanging baskets and trees and benches and murals and being so clean has a made a real difference. It is minimalist compared to when the other Art work was here but I think back to what was intended when it was built.

So as lately I no longer see it as a place to avoid but somewhere to use when travelling on foot. It is in its own way a little oasis of calm surrounded by Trunk roads.

If I were to make a suggestion it would be to put the large Polar bear back!

Absolutely terrifying to walk through at night as a woman! Please avoid at all costs. Many aggressive rough sleepers inhabit this hole between the major roads and no police presence whatsoever. I highly encourage anyone who cares about waking up to see the next day to avoid this cesspit!!

I do not know what all of these bad reviews are for this is brilliant saves me around 1 minute from walking to my hotel no dodgy people nothing, just friendly people all the time

The bearpit used to be full of art and graffiti with a daily market sellin all sorts from fruit and veg, burger stalls, book shop and circus stall. The council "renovated" it back in 2014/15 and turned it into a bleak sterile place lacking in anything inviting or anything to actually do/look at. The pitches for the market stall umbrellas remain yet the market never reopened. The walls are painted grey and brown, gone is all the art Bristol is know for. Gone are the food and coffee stalls. There used to be regular events, bands and fun days that are no more.
Hopefully one day the council will renovate it for the better and bring back the market and the arts and give the beapit some life and soul its tragically missing.

I expected the bear sculpture in the pit but alas, there was no bear to be seen... Nice easy access to crodd the busy roads around to calbot circus and the surrounding areas.

The new landscaping looks fabulous, I really appreciate all the work that's going in to keeping the place in good order

Odd space in Bristol city centre.
Just a walk way under very busy roads.
At one time had stalls and a bit of life
But the council didn't like it 😕😕

Gotta rate this one straight down the middle. 5/5 for being a beautiful, interesting intersection during the day, 1/5 for being the easiest place to be murdered in all of Bristol at night.
It's built to be easy and safe to cross, but figuring out how to isn't, as it's not strongly signposted.