6 min readFrom rolling hills to ancient woodland, we’re lucky to have what feels like an endless supply of green space just beyond Bristol. Of course, the wondrous wildlife and gorgeous scenery is reason enough to get out for a walk. But there’s nothing like a country pub pitstop to make a rural ramble even more enjoyable.
Here are some top country walks with pubs near Bristol – let us know which you try on Instagram.
Ashton Court Estate
You don’t have to go far for a decent country stomp in Bristol. Ashton Court Estate is just a short bike or bus ride away from the city centre and has 850 acres of woods, grasslands and deer park to wander. Depending on how far you want to walk, you could extend your loop to include part of Leigh Woods, a peaceful woodland full of ancient and veteran trees.
Once you’ve had your fill of fresh air, modern pub restaurant The Ashton is conveniently close to one of the estate entrances. More pubs await in the village of Long Ashton, just beyond Ashton Court Estate, including The Bird in Hand and The Angel.
Image: Ashton Court Estate
Rowberrow Warren
This Mendip walk has pretty woodland, a babbling stream and a panoramic view. You can start from The Swan Inn, a proper country pub in a historic Grade II-listed building, and return there for a well-earned lunch or dinner. Equally charming village pub The Langford is just a short drive away too, as is The Railway Inn, a country pub next to the Thatchers Cider orchard, where you can stop into their shop next door to purchase ciders made just a stone's throw away.
Image: The Swan Inn
Chew Valley Circular
Enjoy the fine scenery surrounding the Somerset village of Chew Magna and the valley of the River Chew. This picturesque circular route passes historic points of interest, like the 15th-century church and bridge, on the green edges of the village.
Take your pick from several pub stops. A spot by the log fire at The Pelican is the perfect end to a wintry walk.
Image - Chew Valley Lake
Blagdon
Not far from Chew Magna is Blagdon, a village with its own scenic lake to one side and the rolling Mendip Hills to the other. Although the lake is manmade, it’s been taken over by nature – it’s even a Site of Special Scientific Interest – and is well worth checking out if you love birdwatching and general wildlife spotting. There’s a lakeside woodland path, which you can reach on foot from the village in around 20 minutes.
As well as pubs in Blagdon, the Ring O’ Bells is just a short drive or bus ride away. A traditional pub with original 16th-century features, pop in for great seasonal dishes and award-winning beer and cider from the nearby Butcombe brewery.
Image: Ring O' Bells
Pensford
Yet another historic Somerset village loved by walkers and pub goers is Pensford. The Rising Sun is known for its award-winning beer garden, which has a reputation not just locally but nationally as one of the best around. It’s backdropped by the village’s Victorian viaduct, making for a striking view with your pint. You can start and end your walk at the pub, heading through Culvery Wood and fields bordering the River Chew.
Shirehampton
Follow the ‘Yellow Brick Road,' as it’s known locally, through the Lamplighter’s Marsh Nature Reserve on the edge of the River Avon in Shirehampton. Made up of a patchwork of habitats including scrub, grassland and salt marsh, lots of unusual and locally rare plants grow here. The reserve is just a few minutes’ walk from The Lamplighters, a characterful pub with a beer garden overlooking the river. If you want to make your way back to the city centre, carry on along the River Avon and end up at The Rose of Denmark in Hotwells.
Image - River Avon and Leigh Woods
Stanton Drew
When it comes to pub features, they don’t get much more unique than prehistoric stones in the garden. That’s what you’ll find at The Druids Arms in Stanton Drew, a village home to the UK’s third largest stone circle complex. Take a wander around the three complete circles nearby and then return to the pub to ponder over their magic and mystery with a pint. If you’ve got the time and the leg power, you could add on a ramble to Chew Magna.
Image - Stanton Drew stone circle, credit RodW
The River Avon Trail from Hanham to Keynsham
Explore a stretch of the River Avon Trail, bookmarked by excellent waterside pubs. In Hanham you have the choice of two – The Old Lock & Weir or the Chequers Inn – which both have huge beer gardens and great grub. You'll find more food, drink and good vibes on the river's edge at the Lock Keeper in Keynsham. The train station is nearby, if you don’t fancy heading back to Bristol on foot.
Image: The Lock Keeper
Kelston Roundhill
A cracking 360-degree view of Bristol, Bath and all the beautiful surrounding countryside makes the walk up Kelston Roundhill well worth the effort. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Wales, the Wiltshire Downs and the Mendip Hills. Back down in the village of Kelston, quench your post-walk thirst at the quaint Old Crown Inn. There's delicious food and a flower-filled garden.
Old Sodbury
For a Cotswold pub walk, consider a loop starting from Old Sodbury through Little Sodbury and Horton. It follows part of the Cotswold Way, a stretch featuring a medieval church, oak-fringed farmland and an iron age hillfort. Start and finish at The Dog Inn, where you can refuel with good honest pub grub and real ales. Just a ten minute drive from Old Sodbury, you'll find The Crown in Dyrham, a 16th Century inn serving a range of pub classics.
Swineford
Work up an appetite on the Swineford Circular, taking in peaceful villages and far-reaching views on the Cotswold Way. A shorter loop to neighbouring village Upton Cheyney and back is a more leisurely alternative to the full five-mile route, where you can stop in at The Upton to refuel in their garden. Back in Swineford, rest your feet at The Swan Inn while they cook you up one of their comforting pub classics.
Image - The Upton
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