=== The Ashton Court estate was bought by John Smyth in1545 and the Grade I listed mansion house provided a home to the family until the death of the last occupant, Dame Esmé Smyth, in 1946. The estate was bought by Bristol City Council in 1959 and its Grade II registered landscape of 850 acres of woodland and grassland was developed as a country park and recreational area for the people of Bristol. It is specialist events venue and plays host to the world-famous Bristol Balloon Fiesta each year. ===