Looking to get out and about for National Walking Month during the May bank holiday weekends? We’ve got you covered with this fabulous choice of free walks.
Bank holiday weekend – 5 to 7 May
Saturday 5 May
10am – 11am
Mindful Walk in the Woods
Join us for a walking meditation in Badock’s Wood to focus the mind and be more grounded. The walking meditation takes place in silence and is considerably slower than usual walking pace.
Cost: Free
10am – 1pm
Downs to Harbourside
From the Downs water tower, you will make your way down to the River Trym and the Roman Harbour at Sea Mills, following the River Avon before climbing to Bishops Knoll, along to Goats Gully and the viewing area overlooking the Avon. You will visit the Observatory, Clifton Village, Birdcage Walk, pass Brandon Tower, Central Library and Bristol Cathedral before arriving at the Harbourside.
Cost: Free
11am – 3pm
Bristol South Skyline Walk
Bristol South Skyline Walk was developed as part of the Bristol Green Capital 2015 celebrations. This walk takes you on an exciting journey of discovery across parts of South Bristol using pavements and footpaths to lead you to places which allows you to see Bristol from a less well-known perspective. It’s about 7 miles long and will take about 4 hours. It has a number of steep, unpaved and stepped sections which may be unsuitable for some people. Booking essential.
Cost: Free
Sunday 6 May
8am – 6.30pm
Brendon Hills and Coast
A strenuous circuit in the Brendon Hills, just to the east of Exmoor. The route will cover picturesque Somerset countryside and will offer fine coastal views (weather permitting). There will be a lunchtime, pub stop, probably at the village of Monksilver. Contribution towards petrol 10p per mile – £15 (approximately).
Cost: Free
9.45am – 12.45pm
Ups and Downs in the Avon Gorge
Discover the wildlife and history of the Avon Gorge and Downs with this guided walk, organised in conjunction with Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge. From Seawalls, you’ll meander through the meadows, zip down the zigzag path, and wander along the majestic gorge, finally wending your way back up through the goat-browsed Gully to Seawalls. This is a challenging walk, so it’s vital that you wear suitable footwear for the steep and uneven territory. It’s only suitable for folks who can manage very steep slopes, steps and can comfortably walk three miles. Booking essential.
Cost: Free
3pm – 5.30pm
Bristol’s Burning! 1831 Riots
Explore the sites and learn about the causes and consequences of the citywide riots of 1831. The riots that took place in Bristol in October 1831 were one of the most dramatic events in British history. In the immediate aftermath, the city was in tatters, with hundreds of protesters either dead or dying and dozens of buildings in flames or fallen into heaps of rubble. This guided walk will vividly retell the history of this tragic episode, exploring some of the sites that played a prominent role in the unrest. Booking essential.
Cost: Pay what you think
Monday 7 May
10am – 12pm
Walking the Ghost Roads of the Downs
A walk along the Via Appia, built in 65 AD – the London to Wales road – and then back along an eighteenth century Toll road, abandoned in 1750.
Cost: Free
Bank holiday weekend – 26 to 28 May
Saturday 26 May
10.30am – 12.30pm
Bristol Through Maps
A meandering walk through the city centre using a range of maps from 1480 to today, starting on the original city walls, following later walls and seeing how 20th century changes have led to new sorts of ‘walls’.
Booking essential.
Cost: £2 per person for copies of maps.
11am – 12.30pm
Arnos Vale Wildlife and Plants Walk
Sorry – this walk is now fully booked!
Sunday 27 May
8am – 6pm
Llangynidr – Exploring the Usk Valley
A 16-mile walk, starting at Crickhowell and following the Beacons Way to Cwmdu, Bwlch, and across the historic Llangynidr Bridge. Petrol money is needed and the walk starts from St George’s Bristol.
Cost: Free
10.30am – 3pm
Avon Valley Walk
Stroll around the Avon Valley visiting some lesser-known green spaces and finishing with a climb up Troopers Hill. Either cross the river (25p) to have lunch at Beese’s Tea Gardens or bring a picnic to eat in Eastwood Farm.
Booking essential.
Cost: Free
2pm – 3.30pm
Bugs and Butterflies of Badock’s Wood
An opportunity to explore what bugs and butterflies can be found on the meadows. Meet at the northern gateway to Badock’s Wood.
Booking essential.
Cost: Donations welcomed.
Monday 28 May
10am – 12pm
Trees of the Downs
Explore some of the most interesting tree species on The Downs.
Booking essential.
Cost: Free
10.30am – 1pm
Exploring the Life and Times of John Cabot
Join an expert guide, Steve Spear, and learn about Cabot’s Bristol, his life up to his audience with Henry VII, his three voyages and, finally, the theories and evidence relating to his disappearance.
Booking essential.
Cost: Pay what you think
10.30am – 4pm
Figure of 8 Stockwood Walk
Explore the area around Stockwood and its nature reserve and open areas. Choose one or two distances and bring a picnic.
Cost: Free
2pm – 3.30pm
Story Walk Around Avonmouth
Join storyteller Fiona Eadie for this walk around Avonmouth. As you walk, Fiona will tell the story of Jack and his adventures trading on the high seas! This is a short walk aimed at families.
Booking essential.
Cost: Free
Bristol Walk Fest takes place from 1 to 31 May 2018.