Lawrence Weston, Bristol

Lawrence Weston is a post war housing estate in north west Bristol between Henbury and Shirehampton.The estate is bounded in the east by the Blaise Castle estate and woods. It is situated at the edge of the Severn flood plain, directly beneath the wooded Kingsweston Hill. The industrial complex and port of Avonmouth is a mile or so west, across the flood plain. Lawrence Weston forms part of the city ward of Kingsweston.Lawrence Weston was originally a hamlet, a tything of the parish of Henbury. It was transformed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when the estate was built, absorbing both the original hamlet and the neighbouring hamlet of Kings Weston. Originally council owned, much of the housing stock is now in private hands. It is known as "El Dub" or "L' Dub" to its inhabitants. The row of shops in Ridingleaze has been revamped and each shop is now adorned with a mural.Lawrence Weston is well known locally for its vibrant facilities for young people. There are two youth centres, a BMX track, a young people's shop called Juicy Blitz and a Youth Inclusion project. It has a community farm and a range of clubs and groups for young people.Kings Weston House and Kings Weston Roman Villa both lie near the western end of the estate.