Distance 5 miles (8km)
Classification Moderate
Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Begins Leigh Woods car park
OS grid reference ST553740
Walk in a nutshell
A tour around some of the south-west’s most beautiful and historic woodland, including an array of rare plant and animal life and stunning views of the Avon Gorge, the Clifton suspension bridge and Bristol itself. The route is not too hilly, and there are some alternative surfaced routes for buggies and wheelchairs, but forest terrain can be uneven, and it is fairly easy to get lost (although not for long). Be aware, too, that some of these trails are also used by cyclists.
Why it’s special
Even before Brunel’s great memorial, the Clifton suspension bridge, made it easy to cross Avon Gorge, Bristolians had been escaping to Leigh Woods for centuries. The peace and beauty to be found among the trees here is the best possible antidote to city life, while the flora and fauna, the iron age hillfort at Stokeleigh Camp, and even the bridge itself create many points of interest. With a natural play area near the National Trust office, equipped with swings, balance beams and climbing logs, it is also an excellent place to bring children.
Keep your eyes peeled for
Sitting on a promontory at the southern edge of the route, Stokeleigh Camp is a scheduled ancient monument and was a defensive fort with its origins in pre-Roman times. It may well have been built by the Dobunni, a Celtic tribe of farmers and craftspeople living in the British Isles prior to the Roman invasion of Britain. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Belgae and the Durotriges inhabited the area later. Among the rare species elsewhere in the woods are Wilmott’s Whitebeam trees, which are found only in the Avon Gorge, as is Bristol Rock Cress, a slender creamy-white crucifer flower.
Recover afterwards
There are not many amenities in the woods, but the Anchor Inn and the Priory , just a few miles north up the A369, are both good pubs, serving traditional and modern pub food respectively. To the south of the woods, there’s the traditional Angel Inn, in Long Ashton , serving pub meals at mealtimes.
If it’s tipping down
The historic Clifton Observatory , just on the other side of the river, offers great views from its tower, some splendid caves underground, and one of England’s few remaining camera obscuras – a dark room allowing in just a pinhole of light, which projects a picture of the outside view on to the wall. In central Bristol, you can look round Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner.
How to get there
Bristol Temple Meads railway station is 4 miles away. From there take an 8 or 8A bus, alight at Clifton Village and walk across the suspension bridge then follow North Road to point 5 in the directions. Or, from Bristol bus station or the harbourside on Anchor Road, the 357, 358 and 359 depart daily. Alight at the Gateway, Leigh Woods, then follow the main road for 200m and cross over by the stone arch and follow the drive to the Leigh Woods car park.
Step by step
1 From the car park follow the waymarkers for the red and blue routes downhill. The red trail turns off right at the foot of the slope; keep to the blue trail, passing a house on your left.
2 Carry on along the track, and when Sustrans cycle route 41 goes right, continue straight ahead to Paradise Bottom. Follow the gravel path past a pond to a small car park.
3 Follow the path behind the information board, heading downhill through the old arboretum towards another pond. Go around the pond, climbing back uphill. Go through a gate then turn left back on to the main track you came along. After 300m turn left down Sustrans route 41. Head downhill towards the river Avon until you reach the cycle path beside the river.
4 Turn right and follow the path upstream. After half a mile you’ll see Clifton suspension bridge. Turn right through the arch under the railway 180m before the bridge and follow Nightingale Valley up the North Road entrance to Leigh Woods.
5 Take the left entrance from the road back into the wood and follow the blue trail up to Valley Road. Turn right on Valley Road and head towards the National Trust office. Follow the Sustrans trail past the left end of the office to a stone wall. Keep the wall on your left and leave the blue Sustrans path. Walk on until you reach the purple trail marker post 18.
6 Follow the purple waymarked trail through the wall and carry on until you reach the copper beeches of Coronation Avenue at post 21. Turn left to get back to the main road and the bus stop or turn right and follow the road back to the car park.
