From 1-31 May there are hundreds of walks on offer all around the city as part of this year's Bristol Walk Fest. Most of them are free, and they cover all abilities and interests.  

Whether you are a casual walker who fancies a gentle stroll to explore new parts of the city, or an enthusiastic rambler brandishing state-of-the-art boots and water bottles, ready for a sturdy hike, Bristol Walk Fest has walks available every single day of the month. You’ll find 150+ unique walks from 75+ different walk providers and, with some walks repeated on multiple dates & times, there are 400+ walks available between 1 and 31 May!

It’s a choose your own adventure, with walks to suit any energy level (easy; fairly easy; moderate or challenging) or interest (walking for pleasure; nature & wildlife; art, culture & history, health and wellbeing and walking sports). Printed programmes are available in Bristol libraries and community centres, or use the online programme and search by date, location or access need. New walks are still being added online, so it’s worth checking. 

With so many great walks and activities available, the Bristol Walk Fest team have put their heads together and selected a few highlights and themes.

★  star = FREE

1. To top & tail the month 

On 1 May, Bristol Walk Fest launches with an event focussing on the mental health benefits of walking, with speakers from Bristol Rovers Football team, Girls Who Walk Bristol, and more. 

On 31 May, Walk:Bristol is a mass participation event. 4 walks of different distances start and finish at the event village at Castle Park bandstand. 

 A group of people walking along river path in Brislington, Bristol, as part of Bristol Walkfest - credit Katie Murt

2. Walking sports

Did you know that cricket, football, rugby, tennis, netball and hockey can all be played as walking sports? Taster sessions available for all these sports during Walk Fest - look for the pink headings in the printed programme, or select 'Walking Sports' from the options on the events page of the Bristol Walk Fest website. 

3. Family-friendly walks

Keep all ages busy with these fun and interactive walks across the city.

  • Field Stories - use the QR codes to guide you through an audio journey created with local children around Lockleaze ★  
  • Family Storywalks for children 0-4 & their families, in Westbury, Bishopsworth & St George ★  
  • Family Sensory Walks for children with complex difficulties, Page Park & St George Park ★  
  • OK to Play - join a team of curious adventurers to explore together what makes playful, social neighbourhoods, Barton Hill, 5 dates in May ★  

The pond at St George Park in East Bristol
Image - St George Park

4. Free history walks from M Shed

All walks from Bristol's history museum M Shed are free, historical explorations guided by experts in Bristol’s harbourside and history. 

A view of the cargo cranes outside Bristol's M Shed local history museum - credit Paul Box
Image - M Shed

5. Visit an air raid shelter under St Nicholas Market 

A fascinating, little known underground history of the city right in the busiest part of town. Join a St Nicholas Market & Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour, with exclusive access behind the scenes of the Corn Exchange, running on 15 dates in May.

The Bristol Blitz Experience & Air Raid Shelter Tour covers when the face of the city changed forever, with 15 dates throughout May.

A tour guide leading a group on the St Nicholas Market Air Raid Shelter walking tour in Bristol's Old City - credit St Nicholas Market Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour
Image - St Nicholas Market Air Raid Shelter walking tour 

6. Discover medicines & edible plants 

Go on a foraging walk and learn about the healing and nutritional properties of plants in your back garden.

People walking in cemetery
Image - Arnos Vale Cemetery

7. Wellbeing walks

Take a moment for yourself and book on to one of these relaxing social walks.

8. Learn some harbour history

Join this guided walk of Bristol's historic boatyard and learn more about the city's incredible Floating Harbour: Underfall Yard & Cumberland Basin, 17 & 18 May ★  

Underfall Yard with boats - credit Underfall Yard
Image - Underfall Yard

9. Join a Bristol Bookshop Crawl

Discover the independent bookshops of the city on the Bristol Booshop Crawl on 10 May, with short & long versions available. Find out more about the bookshops themselves and spend an afternoon exploring with fellow book lovers, chatting about books, sharing your recommendations and making new friends. Discounts and perks will be available at participating bookshops, and children under 16 are free with a paying adult.

Bookhaus book shop in Wapping Wharf - Credit Hey What
Image - Bookhaus in Wapping Wharf

10. Learn about Bristol's urban nature 

Explore Bristol’s best natural spaces, from famous historical sites to hidden spots: including a secret garden containing over 10,000 tree species! This free guided Urban Nature Walking Tour on 17 May will blend storytelling, history, art and nature connection techniques. There’ll be stories of mythical creatures, fiery revolutions and the World’s Biggest Party Gatecrash, alongside ancient trees, spectacular gardens and paradise parks.

An aerial view of Castle Park and Finzels Reach in central Bristol
Image - Castle Park

Bonus recommendation! Any walk led by Bristol Ramblers!  

Bristol Ramblers have been offering walks as part of Bristol Walk Fest since it started in 2013. Each walk is delivered by an experienced, expert walk leader, with a wide and varied range of themes and locations across the city - all are free to attend.

Bristol Walk Fest has been part of Bristol’s annual calendar of events for more than a decade, and coincides with #NationalWalkingMonth from Living Streets.  

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