If you fancy some fresh air and nature, Bristol boasts a variety of walks and woodlands to take your children.
All of the following walks are free admission. More walks and woodland venues to be added soon!
A designated nature reserve, Leigh Woods is a great place to take children, with a variety of pathways to choose from, depending on the length and level of challenge that you require. It also boasts a Natural Play Area for children, which includes swings, logs to climb over and balance beams.
- Read about our visit to Leigh Woods
- Open from dawn until dusk, every day of the year
- Free admission, plus free parking
- Contact: 0117 973 1645 / leighwoods@nationaltrust.org
This is a relatively unknown nature reserve in north Bristol, estimated to be around 400 years old and which includes woodland and areas of meadow through which the River Trym runs. Pushchair friendly with level, well-laid paths throughout with no steps. If you have a double pushchair, however, it is recommended that you access Badock’s Wood through the Doncaster Road entrance rather than the Lakewood Road entrance due to the gate being a bit of a tight squeeze.
- Read about our visit to Badock’s Wood
- Open at all times
- Free admission (parking available nearby)
- Badock’s Wood, Lakewood Road, Southmead, BS10
- Contact: 0117 922 3719 / bristolparks@bristol.gov.uk
Stoke Park Estate offers 270 acres of rolling green hills and woodland, plus some amazing views.
There are three different walks to go on:
The estate includes two well-known Bristol landmarks: the yellow Dower House and the Purdown BT Tower, plus there is also a fishing lake, a dew pond, a World War 2 anti-aircraft battery and a Hermitage Tunnel.
There is also a new Stoke Park Sculpture Trail consisting of carved creatures created from dead fallen wood.
- Open at all times
- Free
- Access via Romney Avenue, Lockleaze, BS7 (next to the adventure Playground)
- Read about our visit to Stoke Park Estate
Abbots Leigh is a beautiful old village just across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, about 3 miles from the centre of Bristol. There are several little walks to enjoy around Abbots Leigh and Church Road is just one of them, perfect for little ones as it is not too long – you can walk the full stretch of it and back again without it being too much for little legs. Church Road is quiet and peaceful with rarely any traffic so it is a safe walk to enjoy, too.
There is also a great play area with lots of green space.
- Abbots Leigh, BS8
- Read about our visit to Abbots Leigh
Frenchay Moor offers rugged moorland walks, nature at its best and an adventure at every turning. Wild and unspoilt, the ground is uneven so pushchairs and prams would not be possible, however if you can do without, it is well worth the journey.
- Read about our visit to Frenchay Moor
- Free admission
- Frenchay Common, Frenchay Village, BS16 1NA
If you want stunning scenery and views, Ashton Court Estate is the place to visit! Boasting 850 acres of woodland and grassland as well as a woodland garden, picnic area and natural play area, Ashton Court estate is a great place to bring your children. The paths are pushchair friendly. Facilities also include toilets and baby changing facilities.
- Read about our visit to Ashton Court
- Open 8am – 5pm, throughout the year
- Free admission (parking £1 per vehicle per day)
- Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9JN
- Contact: 0117 963 9174 / heritage.estates@bristol.gov.uk
Extensive 650 acre registered parkland which includes a cafe, museum, castle and fantastic children’s play area. There are also disabled toilet & baby changing facilities. There are a variety of walks that you can opt for according to the length and level of challenge you desire.
- Read abut our visit to Blaise Castle Estate
- Open from 7.30am every day
- Free admission to the Estate and museum (donations welcome)
- Blaise Castle Estate, Kingsweston Road, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, BS10 7Q8
- Contact: 0117 353 2266
Fantastic green spaces to enjoy, with woods, riverside paths, cafe, picnic area and a new play park designed for children 0 – 13 years of age. There are smooth, flat walkways which are ideal for pushchairs and there are baby changing facilities, too. For visitors arriving by car, there are two car parks.
- Open at all times
- Free admission
- Oldbury Court Estate, Oldbury Court Road, Fishponds, BS16 2JH
Huge expanse of flat green space and trees, ideal for exploring, walking, enjoying a picnic, flying a kite and much more! Beautiful views, including from the Sea Walls which overlook the Avon Gorge.
There are benches, a picnic area, ice cream van, Cafe Retreat (on Stoke Road, near the Water Tower), toilets and baby changing facilities. Free parking on the roads around the Downs.
- Read about our visit to Durdham Downs
- Open at all times
- Free admission
- The Downs, Durdham Down, Stoke Road, BS9 1PG
Kings Weston Estate will prove a hit with children because of the many fascinating historic features that abound the 300 acres of woodlands and gardens which make up the estate. Features include a sundial, grotto and of course, King Weston House. There is also a lovely little café in the basement of Kingsweston House. There is limited parking, however.
- Open at all times
- Free admission
- Kings Weston Estate, Kings Weston Lane, Kingsweston, BS11 OUR
A small wooded valley that follows part of Brislington Brook and which offers a host of wildlife. There is one walk which is pushchair friendly which starts at the gate on the green at the junction of Hill Lawn and Allison Road, which ends at the bench by the railway track at the other end of the valley. However, caution is recommended, as well as wellies when there is/has been wet weather.
- Open at all times
- Free
- The walk recommended by Friends of Nightingale Valley begins at gate on the green at junction of Hall Lawn & Allison Road, BS4 4PH
Bristol Mum 