Our favourite Bristol parks and green spaces | Summer 2022

Our favourite Bristol parks and green spaces | Summer 2022

Posted on: 17 Jun 2022

The sun's out and there's nowhere we'd rather be than some of Bristol's very best outdoor spaces.

 

With the summer well and truly underway and plans beginning to take shape for group BBQs and meet-ups, it feels like the perfect time to get acquainted with Bristol’s abundance of parks and green spaces.

 

Whether you fancy a panoramic view of Bristol, a romantic walk through a small Victorian park or a quick drink at the historic sight of a Victorian riot, the city has an outdoor area for you.

 

Read on for our pick of the bunch…

 

 

Arnos Vale Cemetery 

Bath Road, BS4 3EW

 

Beginning this list with a cemetery might seem a bit bizarre but this beautiful Victorian Garden Cemetery features 45 acres of green space as well as an on-site café. Arnos Vale is one of Bristol’s true hidden gems, a unique and historic heritage site nestled in the heart of the city.

Ashton Court Estate

Long Ashton, BS41 9JN 

 

From a hidden gem to a sprawling Bristol staple. Ashton Court is the well-known host of Bristol Balloon Fiesta and now Love Saves The Day but it also boasts mountain bike trails, deer parks, two cafes, toilets, picnic areas and a golf course.

Blaise Castle Estate

Kings Weston Road, BS10 7QS

 

Another vast estate here, Blaise Castle possesses a 650-acre parkland complete with a children’s play area, a museum and (of course) the stunning castle that was built in 1766. Located near Henbury, the estate is the perfect place to go for a wander with various footpaths and routes throughout the parkland.

Brandon Hill Park

Park Street, BS1 5RR

 

The oldest park in Bristol, Brandon Hill is an immensely popular picnic site with stunning views over the city and ties to cult Bristol-based television series, Skins.

 

While currently closed due to repair work, visitors can climb Cabot Tower for an even better field of vision. The hilly park also runs alongside one of the city’s key shopping destinations in Park Street.

Castle Park

Broad Weir, BS1 3XB

 

A picturesque park nestled between old and new in the shape of Bristol’s swanky Shopping Quarter and beautiful historical Harbourside, Castle Park is a popular lunchtime destination for those working around the centre.

 

The ruins of St Mary le Port Church, which was destroyed in the Bristol Blitz, are still present in the park although they are not open to the public.

College Green

College Green, BS1 5UY

 

With the imposing Bristol Cathedral to the south, City Hall to the north and Park Street running alongside, College Green is a favoured chill-out spot for both locals and Bristol Uni students.

 

The green has also been the traditional meeting point for a number of important Bristol protests including, in recent years, the BLM march that saw the toppling of the Edward Colston statue and the Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate protest that was attended by Greta Thunberg.

Cotham Gardens

Redland Grove, BS6 6PR

 

One of the smallest parks on the list, this tiny Victorian park is situated in the middle of the North Bristol suburb of Redland. It’s perfect for a short dog walk or peaceful wander down Lovers Walk, a beautiful path that crosses the Redland train line.

Dame Emily Park

Booth Road, BS3 1BP

 

Another small community park (this time situated in Bedminster); Dame Emily is most notable for its much-loved skate park. The iconic Dean Lane Skatepark dates back to the 70s and houses a tight-knit community of Bristol skaters. In addition to the heavily graffitied skatepark, the park features a playground and a lovingly kept community garden.

Eastville Park

Fishponds Road, BS5 6XA

 

With a wide range of facilities, this massive Victorian park in the North-East of Bristol boasts a spacious and diverse green landscape. The park features fishing and ornamental lakes, multiple tennis courts, three football pitches, a bowling green, a playground and on-site toilets.

Greville Smyth Park

Ashton Gate Road, BS3 2EQ

 

Another South Bristol hotspot, Greville Smyth is situated just over the road from Ashton Gate (the home of Bristol City) and was recently the site of Upfest’s biggest event to date with the whole park being taken over by a plethora of beautiful graffiti artworks.

 

Complete with wonderful trees, a play area, and exquisite views, this is another great dog walking spot.

Perrett Park

Bayham Road, BS2 2EA

 

If it's a view you’re looking for, then Perrett Park is the park for you. A steep site, shaped like a natural amphitheatre; the flat terrace at the top is the perfect observation platform to view much of Bristol, including the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge.

 

As a result of its advantageous landscape, Perrett Park is a popular site for balloon spotting during the Balloon Fiesta and sledging on a rare snow day.

Queen Square

Queen Square, BS1 4LH

 

Based right in the centre of Bristol and surrounded by beautiful Georgian houses and cobbled streets, the square is popular for both nearby workers and tourists alike. Once the site of the 1831 Bristol Riots in which hundreds died, the Square is now regularly hosting concerts, comedy and other major events

Redcatch Park

Broadwalk, BS4 2RD

 

Just around the corner from Broadwalk Shopping Centre, this Knowle park features four tennis courts, a multi-sports court, two football pitches, public toilets, a children’s play area and a community garden.

St Andrews Park

Effingham Road, BS6 5AX

 

St Andrews Park has everything a good Victorian park should have with plenty of green space and a playground, boasts park toilets, a mobile café and disabled access. Located at the heart of a community-focused residential area, the park has a family-friendly atmosphere.

The Downs

Stoke Road, BS9 1FG

 

This extensive area of protected parkland often gives the impression of sprawling countryside; however, the site is within walking distance to popular attractions such as Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Village.

 

The Downs acts as the home for regular major events such as charity runs, circuses, funfairs, music festivals, Bristol Pride, sponsored abseiling events and The Downs League – one of Bristol’s most popular amateur football leagues.

Trooper’s Hill

Trooper’s Hill Road, BS5 8XX

 

A local nature reserve for 25 years, Trooper’s Hill is the home of a plethora of wild plants and animals – from butterflies, to heather, to various reptiles. 

 

The sprawling hillside overlooks the River Avon, providing stunning views of Bristol and features two Grade 2 listed chimneys dating back to the late 1700s – a site that often appears in the promo shoots of aspiring Bristol bands.

Victoria Park

Hill Avenue, BS3 4QE

 

Established in the 1880s, Victoria Park links the areas of Bedminster, Totterdown and Windmill Hill with an expansive area of grassland. The park has plenty of outdoor features and activities to keep both children and adults amused and there is even a school on its grounds.

 

A perfect spot for a BBQ or a picnic in the sun; there are tennis courts, wooded areas, a children’s play area and a café on wheels as well as football pitches and a small basketball court. 

As one of the greenest cities in the UK, Bristol has a whole heap of amazing parks and outdoor spaces so think we’ve missed one? Is your local park one of the city’s hidden gems?

 

Get in touch with us here and we’ll be happy to make amendments to the list.

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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.