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Outstanding Autumn walks in Bristol

Brandon Hill Park BristolFrom hidden-away havens at the heart of the city to the lavish green expanses of the Downs and the craggy Avon Gorge, Bristol boasts 450 parks and green spaces - totalling a remarkable 1,300 hectares, proportionately more than any other English city.

So, the city is a great place for family walks. And what better time of year to discover some of Bristol's treasures than the autumn and winter, when nature presents such a glorious back-drop.

It is not necessary to travel far to find the city's oldest park. Turn off Park Street past the beautiful 18th century Georgian House and there it is - Brandon Hill, with its nature conservation area, Cabot Tower monument and wonderful panoramic views of the city and harbour.

For a visitor to Bristol, this is perhaps the ideal starting point for a stroll that, within just a few hundred metres, will present a vivid picture of the city both ancient and modern.

Head downhill and you are greeted by the Cathedral, with its history dating back to the 12th century, and the waterfront area, now very much at the heart of 21st century Bristol.

Venture uphill and soon you will be admiring the Georgian properties of elegant Clifton and taking in arguably Bristol's most dramatic view of all - the Avon Gorge from Brunel's world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge.

The beauty of Bristol is that, for all its miles of urban development, peace and solitude are never far away.

Beyond the Suspension Bridge is Leigh Woods, which, for the more energetic walker, can be the start of a wonderful half-day adventure alongside the River Avon to the ancient port of Pill.

Other parks and beauty spots may figure less prominently on the tourist map but are still very much worth a visit. Take your pick from:

- Troopers Hill Local Nature Reserve, St George, a former quarry and mining area with a fascinating mix of history, flora and fauna
- Lawrence Weston Moor Local Nature Reserve, one of few remaining fragments of marshes that once stretched from Blaise Castle to Avonmouth
- Royate Hill, Eastville, a haven for wild flowers, butterflies, foxes and other wildlife.