Windmill Hill and Knowle sit just south of the river, between Bedminster and Totterdown, and offer some of Bristol's best value for people who want period terraces and genuine green space without paying Southville or Clifton prices. Windmill Hill is the hillier, more arty half, built around Victoria Park; Knowle, just south, is quieter and residential, centred on Redcatch Park.
Windmill Hill: colourful terraces and a hilltop view
Windmill Hill is a hill and inner suburb south of the River Avon, sitting southeast of Bedminster, north of Knowle and west of Totterdown. It became popular from the 1990s and 2000s with students, artists and environmentalists sharing rented Victorian terraces, and that creative streak is still visible in the area's colourful house fronts and an annual Arts Trail. The eastern half of the hill is occupied by Victoria Park, a 51.5-acre park that links Windmill Hill to Bedminster and Totterdown and includes tennis courts, a bowling green, a skate park, table tennis, a 1.7km marked jogging route, outdoor exercise stations and a children's play area. The hilltop also gives some of the better panoramic views in south Bristol, without the crowds you'll find at more famous viewpoints; our best viewpoints guide covers those.
Knowle: quieter, and built around Redcatch Park
Knowle, just south of Windmill Hill, is a more purely residential neighbourhood centred on the Broadwalk Shopping Centre and Redcatch Park. Broadwalk opened in 1974 as a shopping precinct for the surrounding estate, though like many suburban shopping centres of that era it's since lost trade to bigger retail parks, and redevelopment plans for the site (branded Redcatch Quarter) have been scaled back after community objections to their original scale. Redcatch Park itself, just behind Broadwalk, is a 1930s recreation ground with a community orchard, two full-size football pitches, four free tennis courts, a multi-use hard court and a marked walking and running route, making it one of the better-equipped local parks in this part of the city.
Getting around
Neither Windmill Hill nor Knowle has its own train station, so First Bus routes into the centre and Bedminster's local shops and cafes on East Street and North Street do most of the everyday legwork. It's a walkable 20 to 30 minutes into the city centre from most of Windmill Hill, and Knowle is a further 10 to 15 minutes south again. Our Bedminster and Southville guide covers the neighbouring area in detail, and getting around Bristol guide has the wider transport picture.
Who it suits
Windmill Hill suits people who want a Southville-adjacent feel (Victorian terraces, an arts scene, a park on the doorstep) at a lower price point. Knowle suits families and anyone prioritising a quiet, residential setting with a decent local park over proximity to nightlife or a fashionable high street. Both are worth a look if you're weighing up south Bristol against the centre; our moving to Bristol neighbourhoods guide and renting in Bristol guide put them in wider context.
FAQs
Is Windmill Hill a good area to live in Bristol? Yes, it's popular with young professionals, families and creatives who want Victorian terraces and a big park (Victoria Park) at a lower price than neighbouring Southville or Clifton.
What is there to do in Victoria Park, Bristol? Victoria Park has tennis courts, a bowling green, a skate park, table tennis, a marked 1.7km jogging route, outdoor exercise equipment and a children's play area, spread across 51.5 acres linking Windmill Hill, Bedminster and Totterdown.
Is Knowle the same as Knowle West? No, they're distinct neighbourhoods. Knowle, covered here, sits closer to Windmill Hill and Bedminster around Redcatch Park and Broadwalk; Knowle West is a separate area further south.
What happened to Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle? Opened in 1974, it's lost trade to larger retail parks over the decades. Redevelopment plans (Redcatch Quarter) were approved in principle but scaled back in 2025 after local objections to the original height and scale.
Is there a train station in Windmill Hill or Knowle? No, neither neighbourhood has its own station. Both rely on First Bus routes, with Bedminster's shops and transport links a short walk away.