Historic Stapleton - which once included the city suburbs of Fishponds and Eastville within its boundaries - has origins stretching back to Saxon times. The Domesday book states that it extended over some 2,554 acres within the manor of Barton Regis - land to the east of Bristol (then only a small settlement) belonging to the king.

First documented in 1208, the hamlet, which was still heavily wooded as late as the 18th century, stood at the edge of Kingswood Forest, just north of the River Frome. In 1174, Stapleton, plus its valuable fishing and mill rights, was given to the monks of Tewkesbury Abbey by William, Earl of Gloucester.

It's at about this time that a church, dedicated to St Giles, is first mentioned. A new one, Holy Trinity, was built in 1691 and the present impressive building, complete with 170ft spire, in 1857. Once owned by the powerful Berkeleys of Stoke Gifford, it then passed to the Beaufort family who, in 1781, enclosed the estate.

But, like many other large estates around this time, it was sold off in 1917. By the 18th century there were 70 coal pits in the area, employing substantial numbers of local men. Despite this, the area's natural beauty, especially Stapleton Glen, attracted artists such as Francis Danby from Bristol and beyond.

The recently-renovated Stoke House, standing prominently on the skyline above the M32, together with Heath House and Beech House, made up the Rev Burden's Stoke Park Colony, later known as Stoke Park Hospital. Frances Milton, the mother of Anthony Trollope, the writer, was born in the village, as was Sarah Young, Thomas Chatterton's mother.

In 1863, a cricket club was formed, its most famous player being ' WG', Dr William Gilbert Grace. And it was a Purdown football team called the Black Arabs who went on to become Bristol Rovers.

Once the country seat of the Bishop of Bristol, Stapleton now houses Colston's Collegiate School.

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