If you, like us, are getting slightly tired of the same scenery on your daily walks, we’ve got a list of some (hopefully) new green spaces to enjoy on your daily exercise excursions.
Getting out daily, even if it is freezing or snowing outside, is helping keep us active and sane during this time and we couldn’t recommend a daily dose of fresh air enough.
South-East Bristol
Set in 45-acre, Arnos Vale Cemetery is a perfect example of a beautifully preserved Victorian garden cemetery. Open to the public from 9:30am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday, the national heritage site is one of the city’s best spots for biodiversity with its woodland area, wildflowers and open meadows which surround the classical Victorian buildings. Escape into a secret garden in the city or visit during dusk for a spooky setting.
East Bristol
Troopers Hill Nature Reserve is a peaceful spot overlooking the River Avon. Wild heather and broom bring the rustic feels of the Cornish coastline to one of the city’s havens for wildlife. The unmissable chimney on top of the hill is a beacon of the reserve’s history as a significant site for copper smelting and later, coal and fireclay mining. As if this isn’t enough, the views from Troopers Hill reach far and wide across Bristol’s skyline and beyond, it’s a perfect spot for yoga and sunset gazing as the longer evenings creep in.
Central Bristol
The University of Bristol’s award-winning Royal Fort Gardens are hidden away right in the heart of the city.
The flora and fauna of the grounds are met by the public artwork of international artists, including “Follow Me” the mirror maze, designed by artist Jeppe Hein, “Hollow” a permanent piece created from 10,000 unique tree species, created by Katie Paterson with architects Zella & Moye in association with members of the School of Biological Sciences for Bristol Royal Fort Gardens and internationally recognised artist, Luke Jerram’s “The Palm Temple,” a kaleidoscope of colours, everchanging with the shadows of the passing clouds. The grounds and the public art are open to students and the public alike, offering a spot for escapism and reflection.
North Bristol
An obvious choice for exercise and space is the Clifton Down and Durdham Down, a huge area of protected parkland on the edge of the city. All 202 acres provide an abundance of green space for you to stretch your legs or to complete more rigorous exercise regimes, safe in the knowledge that space and distance won’t be an issue.
Let us know if you visit any of these beautiful spots during lockdown and if we inspired the visit, tag us in your Instagram pics (@flagship_spaces).