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 Bristol's favourite bit of countryside |
Long Ashton Near Clifton Suspension Bridge Bristol BS41 9JN United Kingdom +44 117 963 9174 |
A short hop across the Suspension Bridge and you're in this beautiful estate, with its 850 magnificent acres of park and woodland, with superb views across Bristol. There are excellent nature trails, red deer grazing close by, a pitch and putt golf course, a miniature railway, a cafe inside the Mansion House, plus plenty of open space for flying a kite or just enjoying a walk. Various events are held here throughout the summer including Bristol Community Festival and the Balloon Fiesta. Hot air balloons launch from near the mansion House in the grounds every week - go on a Sunday afternoon, when the weather is fine and you may well see them being inflated and taking-off. There's partial disabled access—some trails would be tricky, but many of the paths are fine for wheelchairs. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andy |
 Photo: Bryan Eveleigh |
 Photo: Tim Rogers |
 Photo: Simon Pow  |
 Photo: Dave Holmes |
 Photo: nicksarebi |
 Photo: Tim Rogers |
 Photo: Redfern Carraway |
 Photo: Becky Gilmore |
 Photo: Michelle Kilfoyle |
 Photo: John Ashby |
 Photo: Andy Waller |
 Photo: Simon Starr |
 Photo: Matt Batchelor |
 Photo: Ben Capewell |
 Photo: Katherine Campbell |
 Photo: John Parry |
 Photo: Caroline Rolfe |
 Photo: Alex Francis |
 Photo: mat cutler |
 Photo: Ahmad Zulhilmi Zulkepli |
 Photo: wesley thorne |
 Photo: Joseph Hess |
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Take a walk on the wild side |
Leigh Woods Abbots Leigh Bristol BS8 United Kingdom |
Situated on the western side of the gorge, and with spectacular views of Brunel's famous suspension bridge, this reserve is a wonderful and dramatic slice of the countryside, visited by locals and tourists alike. Encompassing over a mile of the 300ft-high limestone cliffs, much of the broad reserve is devoted to woodland and is noted for its rare plants, particularly the Bristol whitebeam which is unique to the locality. Also here is Stokeleigh Fort, a Celtic hill fort whose embankments are still clearly visible. Sadly, due to climate changes, picturesque Nightingale Valley is no longer home to its namesake song bird. But it's still a wonderful place for a walk and is permanently open to the public. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Olive Ma (Sze Wai) |
 Photo: Lewis Cornick |
 Photo: Steve Adams |
 Photo: Leah Arnold |
 Photo: Carys Michael |
 Photo: Jonathan Lane |
 Photo: freda wagner |
 Photo: Vivienne Kennedy |
 Photo: Mark Glover |
 Photo: smeg_head |
 Photo: Mig Bardsley |
 Photo: Mark Blower |
 Photo: Robin Stacey |
 Photo: Simon R Jones |
 Photo: bob the bolder |
 Photo: Mark / Kelly Taylor / Schaecher |
 Go on an aerial journey |
Winterstoke Road Bristol BS3 2NP United Kingdom +44 117 963 7858 |
Hot air balloons are big in Bristol - this is the home of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta after all - so, if you've got a head for heights, then why not see the city and surrounding areas by air. The flights last about an hour (allow two-three hours for the whole experience) and you're given a bottle of champagne to ease your journey and help with any nerves! When you land, the ground crew bring you back to the starting point. Tempted? Call ahead for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Richard Stowey |
 Photo: JBUK_Planet |
 Photo: GrooveBox |
 Photo: ROD G |
 Photo: Supriya O |
 Photo: sapientum |
 Photo: Lawrence Kesteloot |
 Photo: brissle |
 Photo: Jeremy Bassett |
 Photo: Niloufar Nabiyouni |
 Photo: Steve |
 Photo: David Incoll |
 Photo: Dickie-Dai-Do |
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Step into a brighter, cleaner world |
Smeaton Road Spike Island Bristol BS1 6XN United Kingdom +44 117 929 9950 / +44 117 925 0505 |
This complex down by the riverside, is all about ecology and the issue of environment—in particular recycling. It's got big plans—watch this space—but at the moment its theory sadly surpasses its delivery. There are a few educational exhibits, such as a hands-on journey through the challenge of waste and recycling, and computer access to global environmental information, but frankly it's all looking rather shabby and few of the exhibits actually work. Much better to concentrate on its Eco-home—definitely the most successful part of the whole place—built using advanced architecture, and a testament to how salvaged, recycled, and natural materials can be combined with energy-saving systems to benefit almost every home. Another plus is the rather lovely cafe, overlooking the River Avon. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: David Baines |