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CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST

Parks & nature in Bristol

Country parks, woods, lakes and trails for burning off energy.

25 places 10 free to visit

A calm woodland lake with mature trees reflected in still water on a sunny day.

Abbots Pool

Bristol

A quiet woodland pool with footpaths for a wander and a bridleway if anyone's brought a bike.

Barry Island Beach Hutsfrom £8

Barry Island Beach Huts

Barry

Hire your own beach hut for the day at Barry Island, with a climbing wall on the sand and free all-terrain wheelchairs for the beach.

Accessible toiletChanging PlacesDog friendlyParking+2 more

A calm lake surrounded by mature trees with wetland plants and a yellow iris flower in the foreground.from £12

Bitterwell Lake

Bristol

A day-ticket fishing lake near Bristol where you turn up, pay at the peg and cast off, no booking needed.

Stone building with arched windows surrounded by climbing plants and trees, with a rusted metal ring sculpture visible in the garden beyond.Free

Botanical Gardens

Bath

Free wander round herbaceous borders, a rock garden with a pool, a mini Roman temple and a patch of woodland to get lost in.

ParkingPublic transport nearbyStep-free accessToilets

Wildflowers and grasses backlit by golden sunrise or sunset over a sloping green meadow.

Boyd Valley Lake

Bristol

A lake for fishing, camping in bell tents or glamping, open from first light until dark.

Picnic areaToilets

Group of people Nordic walking across a large open green field under clear blue sky.from £10

Bristol Nordic Walking

Bristol

Guided Nordic walking on Durdham Downs, poles provided, starting with a £10 beginner workshop.

Campus Pool

Campus Pool

Bristol

An indoor skate bowl and park in Bristol with hire kit and tuition for beginners working up to intermediate tricks.

Birthday partiesCaféFree parkingFood on site+2 more

Rocky coastal cliffside with shingle beach and calm sea under clear blue sky.Free

Charlcombe Bay Beach

Clevedon

A pebbly, rock-edged bay near Clevedon for a proper coastal walk out to Black Nore Lighthouse.

Red and orange poppies with purple flowers in a garden bed overlooking a grassy park and water.Free

Cold Knap beach

Barry

A pebbly beach with a duck-and-swan lake next door and remote-controlled boats to watch in summer.

ToiletsWheelchair accessible

Aerial view of a large sports field surrounded by residential areas, with industrial buildings and countryside visible in the distance.

Filton Skatepark

Bristol

A free outdoor skatepark and BMX track next to a play park and multi-use games area on the same site.

Bike parkingBlue badge parking

Child on scooter at outdoor café with blue picnic tables, umbrellas and playground equipment visible.Free

Hengrove Skatepark

Bristol

Free wheels park for skateboards, blades and BMX, plus a big adventure play park and sand pit right next door.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+4 more

People swimming and paddling in a lake with groups relaxing on a grassy bank lined with weeping willow trees.

Henleaze Lake

Bristol

Open water swimming and springboard or high diving in a spring-fed lake, but only if you can swim 50 metres unaided.

Accessible toiletBooking requiredIndoor seatingFood on site+1 more

Stone bridge spanning a shallow woodland stream with moss-covered rocks and overhanging trees.

Nightingale Valley

Bristol

A wooded river valley in Bristol where kids can wander muddy paths, spot wildlife and join in conservation work parties.

Outdoor playPublic transport nearby

Ancient tree with spreading branches stands in dappled woodland with lush green undergrowth.Free

Overscourt Woods

Bristol

Free woodland trails and a wildflower meadow to wander, with hills, mud and no toilets to plan around.

Dog friendlyPicnics allowed

Outdoor swimming pool with lane dividers under clear blue sky, yellow water slide and orange changing facilities visible behind.from £5

Portishead Open Air Pool

Portishead

An outdoor heated 33m pool with its own toddler pool, open April to September in Portishead.

CaféFree parkingLockersSensory friendly+2 more

Dark butterfly perched on green vegetation and small wildflowers in grassland.Free

Prior's Wood

Bristol

Free woodland walking with bluebells in spring and buzzards overhead, though the paths get properly muddy.

St Anne's WoodsFree

St Anne's Woods

Bristol

Free woodland walks with fairy doors to spot along the way, plus spots for climbing and fishing.

Outdoor play

Visitors queue at The Bake Box café kiosk surrounded by green picnic tables and umbrellas in a sunny park setting with grass and trees.Free

St George Park

Bristol

Free lake with ducks and swans to feed, plus a dog-free playground so toddlers can wander without a lead getting underfoot.

Accessible toiletCaféToiletsWheelchair accessible

St Paul's Adventure PlaygroundFree

St Paul's Adventure Playground

Bristol · ages 8-16

Free supervised sessions for 8 to 16 year olds, with Friday teen evenings, Saturday afternoons and school holiday weekdays on offer.

Booking required

A tree-lined woodland path with autumnal foliage stretching into the distance.Free

Stockhill Wood

Wells

Free woodland trails with old lead mining remains to explore, open every day of the year.

ParkingPicnic areaToilets

Aerial view of rolling countryside with green fields, two lakes, scattered trees, and farm buildings dotted across the landscape.from £8

The Organic Garden

Bristol

A working organic garden with meadows, a sculpture trail and a children's garden running two-hour gardening and art sessions.

CaféDog friendlyGift shopWheelchair accessible

Wallhope Farmfrom £1.50

Wallhope Farm

Chepstow

A maize maze and a sunflower field to pick your own stems from, plus homemade gelato while you're there.

CaféFood on sitePicnics allowed

West Country Water Park

West Country Water Park

Bristol · ages 0-16

A lakeside water park where kids swim out to an inflatable aqua park with slides and trampolines, plus go karting and paddle sports on the side.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredCaféFree parking+5 more

Aerial view of a woodland path winding through trees displaying autumn colours of red, orange, yellow and green foliage.from £5

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

Tetbury

Treetop walkway, a Gruffalo trail to spot through the woods, and enough space between trails that nobody's queuing for anything.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBike parkingCafé+8 more

Spacious modern gym with red flooring and white walls featuring rows of cardio equipment and weight machines, with a few people exercising.from £7.50

Workout Harbourside

Bristol · ages 16+

This is an 18+ gym on Bristol's harbourside with weights, cardio, spin, yoga and squash, plus pay-as-you-go options if you don't want to join.

Booking requiredCaféFood on site

Good to know: parks & nature in Bristol

Are any of them free?

Yes, Botanical Gardens, Charlcombe Bay Beach, Cold Knap beach, Hengrove Skatepark and 6 more are free to visit.

What does a paid visit cost?

Paid entry starts from £1.50 at Wallhope Farm. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.

Which ones are indoor?

Campus Pool is indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.

Whereabouts are they?

You'll find parks & nature in Bristol, Barry, Bath, Clevedon, Portishead and 3 more. Every place we list is in or around Bristol, and each listing has the full address and directions.

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