Bristol Area

For the purposes of this guide Bristol area includes parts of Bristol that can be reached by public transport or by car but are not easily accessible by foot from the city centre. The spectacular countryside found within reach of the bustling city lends itself to popular recreational activities such as golf, walking and cycling and, if the weather turns nasty there is an out of town shopping centre and entertainment complex to head to for shelter. 

A popular outdoor venue just 2 miles west of Bristol is the historic Ashton Court Estate where you can enjoy wonderful woodland walks, orienteering trails, cycling trails and for golfers there are two 18 hole par three golf courses. The estate covers 850 acres of woods and grassland and includes two Deer Parks home to the resident herds of Red and Fallow Deer. It's a good idea to take a packed lunch to enjoy while you feast your eyes on the spectacular views over Bristol and North Somerset - these views certainly provide the icing on the cake for a day out here. Ashton Court is the venue for several large Bristol festivals including the International Balloon Fiesta and Brisfest.

Golfers are well provided for in the Bristol area by two beautiful, well kept golf courses. At both you can take in spectaular views between holes, either over the River Avon and Gordano Valley from Shirehampton Park Golf Club or, over the Severn Vale towards Wales from The Bristol Golf Club. Both clubs welcome visitors.

A popular venue for those who prefer less energetic activities can be found at Cribbs Causeway. The Mall, with its two flagship stores Marks and Spencer and John Lewis as well as many other well known high street stores, draws crowds of fashion conscious shoppers - be warned you may want to steer clear of it on Bank Holidays when it becomes extremely busy. If shopping is not your thing you can visit the entertainment complex to see one of the latest films at the Vue multiplex cinema or challenge your friends and family to a game of ten pin bowling at the Hollywood Bowl