Bristol

OS Maps: Explorer™ 154 Bristol West and Portishead; 155 Bristol & Bath, Keynsham & Marshfield

Bristol, the largest and most important city in South West England, is a thriving centre of diverse commerce and industry. It's historical importance, of course, was as a commercial port and the docks area are now being restored and developed as a tourist area.

The Avon Gorge, where the river flows between steep cliffs of limestone, provides some spectacular views from Clifton. The Brunel suspension bridge spanning the Gorge at 245ft. is a marvel of engineering. It was designed by the brilliant engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Because of financial problems it was not completed until after his death and opened in 1864. The deck is 246 feet above the river level.

There are many other locations within the Bristol region providing lovely walking, in particular along the River Frome, Dundrey Hill and Brockley Combes.

Clifton: On the Clifton side of the Avon Gorge a visit to the Observatory is worth the uphill walk to the summit of Clifton Down. This can be combined with a walk crossing Brunel's Suspension Bridge and exploring Ashton Court Estate, following in part the deer park trail. The route descends to the river and follows the bank, passing under the suspension bridge. Then follows the climb up Nightingdale Valley through the exisite woodland of Leigh Woods. This route is fully described in the guide '100 Walks in Somerset & Avon'

Chew Magna: The former wool village of Chew Magna lies south of Bristol on the B3130. It's 16th century affluence from the wool trade is reflected in the grand houses which line the High Street. The striking Church House on the three sided village green is perhaps the grandest. Close to the churchyard, but hidden behind a high wall, lies Chew Court, a former summer palace of the Bishops of Bath and Wells. South of the village the vast Chew Valley Lake and the older and smaller Blagdon Lake provide lovely waterside walks where a variety of wildfowl can be observed.