Nine wonderful winter walks in Bristol to blow away the cobwebs

Whether you’re a tourist visiting Bristol for the first time or a long-time local looking for some inspiration on where to take your next winter stroll, there are plenty of outdoor walking options for you to get your feet stuck into over the festive period.

We’ve rounded up some of the best for you:

Clifton Village

If pavement trodding is more your thing, and you’d rather not go too far off the beaten track, then it doesn’t get much prettier or festive than taking a mooch around the winding streets of Clifton Village. Take in the festive urban lights and wander through fairy light-lit streets while perusing shop windows.

Make sure you take time to head down streets you wouldn’t normally frequent, or take shortcuts through pretty alleyways. Birdcage Walk always looks particularly beautiful in the winter, and there’s something very atmospheric about the covered walkway.

Snuff Mills

Take the walk from Snuff Mills to Oldbury Court and enjoy the well-beaten pathways and well signposted routes. The wonderful wooded valley has beautiful riverside walks and is brilliant for all ages and dogs too.

Entertain the children between Christmas and New Year by making a wildlife walk of it and ask them to keep their eyes peeled for glimpses of moorhens, kingfishers, ducks and otters, and they may even hear woodpeckers. It’s a real tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Manor Woods Valley

This beautiful nature reserve in the Bishopsworth area of Bristol is tranquil and relaxing, exactly what you need from a walk to take some time out of festivities. Expect meadows, trickling streams and plenty of woodland walkways to ramble along.

The Downs

Often covered in a spectacular frost at this time of year, The Downs really can be something to behold at wintertime. At a huge 440 acres of space, it’s a great option for people with four-legged friends or children who need to blow off some Christmas steam and excitement.

There are loads of lovely neighbourhoods to wander around and check out the architecture and beautiful Christmas displays, and you can finish up with a warming drink in Clifton Village afterwards, too.

Blaise Castle Estate

This is a popular option for families and a brilliant way to let the children get rid of some of their excess Christmas excitement. Packed full of pram-friendly walkways and a huge children’s play area, the leafy walks at Blaise Castle Estate can make fun for all the family.

There’s a folly castle to look out for, a stately home and lovely woodland walkways that feel wintery and festive, so there’s plenty to see for all ages.

The Harbourside

So it wouldn’t be right to miss out one of the favourite and most simple Bristol walks of them all, and the harbourside really is a brilliant option at Christmas time.

It’s family-friendly, all age-group friendly, nice and flat and has plenty of wonderful businesses to pay a visit to en route if you fancy stopping for a bite to eat or a hot drink. Take in the festive lights that are dotted along the way and enjoy the way the cold air and misty winter scenes dance across the water.

Ashton Court and Leigh Woods

Another two staples in the Bristol walking scene, both Ashton Court and Leigh Woods make for brilliant options to get a countryside feel without having to leave the city.

Dogs and children alike can have all the fun in the world exploring the many wooded pathways, making winter dens and playing hide and seek as you walk around. With well-marked pathways at both sites, it’s a great family-friendly walk out. You’ll also find a dog-friendly cafe in the Old Stables to refuel.

Kings Weston Estate

The historic landscape covering over 300 acres is a popular spot for dog walkers and ramblers alike. It’s a real escape from the city without having to go too far, and is full of mowed lawns, manicured pathways, fields, woodland and historic buildings.

The manor house plays host to a wonderful cafe and with outside seating overlooking the River Severn and Portishead, it’s a beautiful place to stop and watch the world go by. A circular walk around the grounds takes about an hour, or you can extend your walk and latch it onto the Blaize Castle Estate.

Festival Way

Keep an eye out for bikes as this is a popular cycle route too, but Festival Way is a lovely walk along the outskirts of Long Ashton from Bristol and it’s great for when the fields are too wet and muddy.