Catbrain

Coordinates: 51°31′21″N 2°36′46″W / 51.5225°N 2.61274°W / 51.5225; -2.61274

Catbrain Hill

Shown within Bristol and the UK

Catbrain Hill, simply known as Catbrain, is a small village near the north of Bristol, at the edge of neighbouring district South Gloucestershire, England. It is located by Cribbs Causeway, on a road that contains many car dealerships.

The name is often found humorous by Bristol residents and has been the subject of many jokes. A new housing estate has been recently constructed at Catbrain. At the bottom of the hill the lies Filton airfield.

The name "Catbrain" derives from the Middle English "cattes brazen"^[1] which is a reference to the rough clay mixed with stones that is characteristic soil type of the location, though some speculation has been made that it derives from the Welsh Cath Bregion - Cath being a battlefield. ^[2]

Hazel Brook

The Hazel Brook rises in nearby Cribbs Causeway and its flow into the River Trym is controlled by an attenuation reservoir at Catbrain, which reduces the silt flowing into the system from the many shopping malls in the area.^[3] Measurements of pollution by the city council show the water to be relatively clean.^[4]

References

1. ^ Smith, Veronica (2001). The Street Names of Bristol. Broadcast Books. pp. 160. ISBN 1-874092-90-7. 
2. ^ Barber, Chris; Pykitt, David (1997). Journey to Avalon: The Final Discovery of King Arthur. Weiser Books. pp. 378. ISBN 1-57863-024-X. 
3. ^ "Waterways Monitoring: River Trym and Hazel Brook". Bristol City Council. http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/Pollution/bristol-living-rivers--watercourses.en?page=3. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 
4. ^ "Bristol surface water quality monitoring results". Bristol City Council. September 2009. http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/stream/asset/?asset_id=32197006. Retrieved 2009-11-24.