6 min readCrisp air, frost-coated foliage and beautiful views - an invigorating wintry walk is the perfect way to experience Bristol this season. So head out on one of these head-clearing strolls around Bristol…
The Harbourside
When the mist rises on a chilly winter’s morn, the Harbourside is a sight to behold. You can walk round the whole Floating Harbour in a circuit that ticks off many of Bristol’s sights in one go.
Start outside M Shed and carry on past CARGO at Wapping Wharf, then on towards Spike Island, Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Underfall Yard, spotting Cabot Tower, The Matthew, a Banksy and multi-coloured houses as you go.
Loop back round through Millennium Square, past We The Curious, Watershed and Arnolfini. Warm your cockles with some scrumptious grub at one of the many fantastic restaurants, cafes and bars that line the water’s edge, including No.1 Harbourside, The Architect and Mud Dock.
Image - Redcliffe in the snow
The Downs
Particularly striking when covered in a frosty blanket, The Downs is a whopping 440 acres in size. It’s pretty flat and therefore suitable for miniature legs and any mobility.
Bordering Clifton and Redland, there are some beautiful houses to swoon over as well as tree-lined avenues and stunning views over the Avon Gorge, Clifton Suspension Bridge and distant Severn Bridge. Finish up in handsome Clifton Village and warm your bones with a hot chocolate from one of the many cafés.
Image - The Downs
Twinkly urban walk
Make the most of Bristol’s yuletide illuminations and glittering walkways with an amble starting from the fountains near the Harbourside, all the way up lung-busting Park Street and on to Clifton, where the elegant shop fronts are decorated with Christmas trees.
Run out of puff halfway? No problem, stop for a glorious pick-me-up from from one of the cafes along Park Street and Queens Road.
Image - Christmas lights on Park Street
Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill
Located just off Park Street, Brandon Hill offers mighty views over Bristol, all the way out to the Mendip Hills – even more enchanting when the ground is a frost-bitten white. Banish shivers with a walk up to Cabot Tower where the views get even better!
Image - Cabot Tower
Blaise Castle Estate
Very popular with families, thanks to its folly castle, buggy-friendly paths and humongous children's play area. Pathways lead past the impressive stately home and museum, through a wooded gorge. Youngsters will love seeking landmarks relating to the mythical Bristol giants within the grounds.
Image - Blaise Castle
Ashton Court Estate
Take some winter air at Ashton Court Estate, a massive stretch of countryside that lies just the other side of Clifton Suspension Bridge. 850 acres of wide-open green space and woodland welcome cyclists, mountain-bikers, horse riders, golfers, families and walkers (and plenty of wheelchair and buggy-friendly paths).
Deer wander in fenced-off areas and the views across the city are breath-taking, especially when bathed in a magical wintry light, and behind the stately home there’s a dog-friendly café in the old stables. A great spot for sledging, should it be cold enough for snow.
Image - Ashton Court Estate
Leigh Woods
Not far from Ashton Court Estate, this National Trust woodland is great for a drizzly day as many of the paths run under cover of the trees. There’s a range of colour coded paths (some are buggy-friendly) and mountain bike tracks as well as a play trail for little ones and often family-friendly activities going on.
For a great wintry photo opportunity, make your way to Nightingale Valley on the edge of the woods for jaw-dropping views over the Avon Gorge and Suspension Bridge.
Image - Leigh Woods, credit Liz Milner
Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills
Perfect for strollers in need of wheel-friendly paths and kiddy entertainment, there’s a wonderful play park for kids, riverside walks, a nature trail, orienteering path and lots of bird and squirrel life. Beyond the parkland, you can follow the path down to the river Frome, then on towards Snuff Mills, an historic section of the Frome Valley Walkway.
Image - Snuff Mills
Arnos Vale Cemetery
This beautiful wooded Victorian garden cemetery just off the Bath Road covers 45-acres. It’s wonderfully peaceful, rich in walks, wildlife and fabulous architecture.
Image - Arnos Vale Cemetery
Tyntesfield
Amble around the National Trust’s Tyntesfield extensive gardens and parkland during the winter months and then warm up with a hot drink from The Cow Barn.
Image - Tyntesfield, credit Steve Young
Westonbirt The National Arboretum
Come Christmas time, Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas (selected dates throughout December) sees its beautiful forest trails come alive at night, illuminated in dazzling colours and festooned with thrilling sensory experiences along the way.
Image - Enchanted Christmas, Westonbirt
Chew Valley
Just a short drive out of Bristol and you’re in the beautiful rolling countryside of the Chew Valley. For a lovely rural ramble, the Chew Magna walk is a lovely circular riverside walk, starting from Chew Valley Lake picnic area and passing through picturesque villages, Chew Stoke and Chew Magna before returning to the lakeside.
Image - Chew Valley Lake
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Celebrate the wonder of winter birds at Slimbridge, one of the UK’s best nature reserves, just a short motor up the M5. A lovely place to roam around just gazing at birdlife.
Image - Wild Bird Feed, WWT Slimbridge
Cheddar Gorge
A world-famous beauty spot and one of the UK’s most spectacular natural sights, not far from Bristol. The cliff top gorge walk, with its sweeping views, dramatic cliffs, crags, pinnacles and caverns make this an exhilarating spot for a bracing winter walk. Keep an eye out for local wildlife – the gorge is home to goats, sheep, bats and birds.
Image - Cheddar Gorge
More things to do in Bristol this winter:
