Desolation Row

Derelict Thursday

"And the only sound thats left
After the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up
On desolation row"

Bob Dylan - Desolation Row

This "fine" piece of architectural heritage (!) was last used as the park keeper's building in Bristol's Castle Green Park.  It seems to be empty currently.  As you can see, it has a bit of a vandalism/graffiti problem, which makes it perfectly suited to feature in the last Derelict Thursday challenge hosted by SarumStroller until October.

You would be hard pressed to know that there was ever a castle in Bristol nowadays.  The castle was originally a significant structure, apparently the massive keep was comparable to the Tower of London.  But by the time of the English Civil War it was in a pretty sorry state of repair and Cromwell had it demolished.  Nowadays what is left is hidden below the park.

I seem to remember that in the past they had a bit of a cafe in this area.  During the day the park is busy with office workers, many of whom cross it to get between their offices and the shopping centre.  In the summer its a popular place to spend the lunch hour.  At night, like many public parks, it becomes an altogether more worrying place.