Where to walk in and around Bristol

21 February 2022

To help you find your love of walking, we asked our Chiropractors for their top recommendations of where to walk in and around Bristol. They are for a range of different fitness and ability levels, so pick the ones that suit you best. Remember, just like with any other form of exercise, it is important to work within your limits and take sensible steps to prevent injury.

To take a look at our guide for walking, click here.

Westonbirt Arboretum

Difficulty level: Easy – Medium

Time: As short or as long as you like

Westonbirt Arboretum is a 600-acre space home to 3,000 species of trees which flower magnificently through spring. With 17 miles of paths throughout, there is a level of accessibility to suit different people. There are guided walks, and a shuttle bus to make your walks shorter too. You can walk around the arboretum for hours, but the nature of the paths means that you can make the walk as short or long as you like.

To find out more information about Westonbirt Arboretum, click here.

Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate

Difficulty Level: Easy – Medium

Time: 35 minutes – 1 hour 45 minutes

Distance: 1 ¼ – 3 miles

With acres of space and pathways, Blaise Castle is the perfect escape into nature. Wander into the woodland and wind your way to the top of the hill to discover a folly castle and beautiful gorge views. It’s part of the mythical Bristol giants walking tour too. You’ll come across Goram’s Chair and the tantrum footprint, as well as mysterious tunnels and Robbers Cave.

With five different routes to choose from, there is something for everyone. There are two car parks on the estate that you can choose from. Make sure to check the opening times for when you want to go.

To find out more information about Blaise Castle, click here.

Cheddar Gorge

Difficult Level: Easy – Difficult

Time: 30 minutes – 6+ hours

Distance: 274 steps – 30 miles

This is where Dr Dane is pictured on the image above. Cheddar Gorge is a world-famous beauty spot thanks to its dramatic cliffs and caverns; its 3-mile cliff top gorge walk is one of the finest in the country. It’s home to a variety of specialised plants and wildlife, many of which you’ll spot on your walk. Besides the gorge, Cheddar is also known for its caves. The village of Cheddar is tiny, but there are plenty of things to do.

To find out more information about Cheddar Gorge walks and routes, click here.

Poet’s Walk

Difficult Level: Fairly easy

Time: 1 hour at a very leisurely pace

Distance: 1.5 miles

A little over a mile in length and filled with a wealth of sites to see. From limestone grassland and woodland to a rich diversity of wildlife and stunning views across the Bristol Channel. It’s a tranquil route and is known for inspiring poets, including Alfred Tennyson.

To find out more information about which route to take, click here.

Happy walking!