Best walks an hour’s drive from Bristol October 18, 2022 The UK is one of the most diverse and gorgeous countries in the world when it comes to nature, whether you’re on the trail in the North, South, West, or East. With Sprayway’s passion for the outdoors, we’ve made it our mission to share that with others. So we’re taking a look at some of our favourite walks in different parts of the country. This time, we’re looking at walks within an hour’s drive from Bristol, so if you’re living in the West Country we’ve got some great suggestions. Bath skyline walk One of the most beautiful cities in the country, Bath is just as beautiful from a distance as it is close-up. There’s no wonder it’s a World Heritage Site. Starting at Bathwick Hill, this walk will take you through tranquil fields overlooking the city, peaceful woodlands, and ancient structures still standing tall. At just under 10km long, it’s a moderate walk which should take you around 4 hours. But it’s not too difficult in terms of terrain, so as long as you’re happy to put aside a few hours, walkers of any expertise should be able to handle this well. And with gorgeous views at every turn, you’ll feel well rewarded by the end! Cheddar Gorge Fancy visiting the country’s largest gorge? If you’re looking for some spectacular sights in the West Country, Cheddar Gorge is the place to go. A notorious hike, the start of the trail is easy to find. It’s just off the Cheddar high street, opposite the National Trust Information Centre. If you want a relaxing stroll, you might be better off going to one of the other places on this list. Cheddar Gorge has some very rocky and rough sections, taking you up steep climbs. It’s about 8km long so will take you about 3-4 hours, too, so make sure you pack suitable equipment and snacks to help you through. Due to how steep some of the terrain is, it isn’t recommended to go on this walk during weather where there’s low visibility or lots of wind. However, if you do get the chance to explore Cheddar Gorge, you’ll be treated to stunning views, wildlife, and plants. Chew Valley Lake There’s few things more relaxing than a walk around a lake. And Chew Valley has one of the most beautiful ones you can find near Bristol, and a serene, circular walk around it which will appeal to all ages and skill levels of hillwalkers. Chew Valley Lake has a lot of different routes posted online for you to find depending on what you’re looking for. Fancy a short walk with the kids? The trail from Woodfood Lodge to Bishop Sutton, which only recently opened, might be the one for you. Or, if you’re looking for something to get your legs walking, we’d recommend the circular trail around the entire lake which starts at Chew Magna. Because the terrain is quite flat and easy to navigate, more experienced hillwalkers may want something which pushes their limits a bit - and this trail is just over 12km long. This walk has something for everyone, whether it’s the gorgeous waters, the historical buildings you pass on the way, or the flora and fauna which call Chew Valley Lake their home. Weston Woods via Worlebury Camp This historical woodland is 130 hectares in size, and a Local Nature Reserve popular with birdwatchers and other lovers of nature. It’s just under 6km long and should take most hillwalkers under two hours to complete, so if you’re looking for a quick adventure or want to bring kids along on a hike, this is a great recommendation. Weston Woods has some gorgeous views, but it’s the tranquillity of experiencing nature and the smaller experiences in this contained woodland which really standout. Then, there’s the Worlebury Camp which is the site of an Iron Age hillfort. One of the great things about the outdoors is its relationship with the past, and if you’re a history buff, you’ll love exploring this camp and learning its secrets. The terrain is typically easy to manage, but does have some uphill climbs and rough paths throughout the woods. Plus, once you finish the walk, you’ll be right next to Weston-super-Mare, so you can finish off the day on the seaside. Glastonbury Tor We’ve talked about how engaging with history is one of the most exciting parts of hillwalking. And that’s no exception with this walk, which is a circular walk taking you from Glastonbury city centre to Glastonbury Tor. Starting from Draper Factory, you’ll soon find yourself on the National Trust path which leads to Glastonbury Tor - and you might even be able to spot it in the distance on clear days. If you want to get your legs working, this is the trail for you. There’s plenty of uphill climbs, although the well-defined paths will make it easy to find your way. At just 5km, it’s not the longest walk and will prove no challenge to experienced hillwalkers. But if you’re just getting started with hillwalking, or if you’re just in the mood for a short hike with gorgeous views and uphill climbs, you’ll love this. The cherry on top of the cake - or hill - is St Michael’s Tower, which stands atop Glastonbury Tor. It’s a gorgeous landmark which is sure to rouse the history buff inside you. If you’re heading out on an adventure anytime soon, you’ll want to make sure you’re well equipped. Whether it’s a reliable waterproof or a cosy pair of hiking trousers, Sprayway has what you need for a successful hillwalk. And if you find yourself out on the trail in some of our gear, we’d love to know. Send us a picture of you in your Sprayway outfit to our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #Sprayway for a chance to feature on our social media.
Best walks an hour’s drive from Bristol October 18, 2022 The UK is one of the most diverse and gorgeous countries in the world when it comes to nature, whether you’re on the trail in the North, South, West, or East. With Sprayway’s passion for the outdoors, we’ve made it our mission to share that with others. So we’re taking a look at some of our favourite walks in different parts of the country. This time, we’re looking at walks within an hour’s drive from Bristol, so if you’re living in the West Country we’ve got some great suggestions. Bath skyline walk One of the most beautiful cities in the country, Bath is just as beautiful from a distance as it is close-up. There’s no wonder it’s a World Heritage Site. Starting at Bathwick Hill, this walk will take you through tranquil fields overlooking the city, peaceful woodlands, and ancient structures still standing tall. At just under 10km long, it’s a moderate walk which should take you around 4 hours. But it’s not too difficult in terms of terrain, so as long as you’re happy to put aside a few hours, walkers of any expertise should be able to handle this well. And with gorgeous views at every turn, you’ll feel well rewarded by the end! Cheddar Gorge Fancy visiting the country’s largest gorge? If you’re looking for some spectacular sights in the West Country, Cheddar Gorge is the place to go. A notorious hike, the start of the trail is easy to find. It’s just off the Cheddar high street, opposite the National Trust Information Centre. If you want a relaxing stroll, you might be better off going to one of the other places on this list. Cheddar Gorge has some very rocky and rough sections, taking you up steep climbs. It’s about 8km long so will take you about 3-4 hours, too, so make sure you pack suitable equipment and snacks to help you through. Due to how steep some of the terrain is, it isn’t recommended to go on this walk during weather where there’s low visibility or lots of wind. However, if you do get the chance to explore Cheddar Gorge, you’ll be treated to stunning views, wildlife, and plants. Chew Valley Lake There’s few things more relaxing than a walk around a lake. And Chew Valley has one of the most beautiful ones you can find near Bristol, and a serene, circular walk around it which will appeal to all ages and skill levels of hillwalkers. Chew Valley Lake has a lot of different routes posted online for you to find depending on what you’re looking for. Fancy a short walk with the kids? The trail from Woodfood Lodge to Bishop Sutton, which only recently opened, might be the one for you. Or, if you’re looking for something to get your legs walking, we’d recommend the circular trail around the entire lake which starts at Chew Magna. Because the terrain is quite flat and easy to navigate, more experienced hillwalkers may want something which pushes their limits a bit - and this trail is just over 12km long. This walk has something for everyone, whether it’s the gorgeous waters, the historical buildings you pass on the way, or the flora and fauna which call Chew Valley Lake their home. Weston Woods via Worlebury Camp This historical woodland is 130 hectares in size, and a Local Nature Reserve popular with birdwatchers and other lovers of nature. It’s just under 6km long and should take most hillwalkers under two hours to complete, so if you’re looking for a quick adventure or want to bring kids along on a hike, this is a great recommendation. Weston Woods has some gorgeous views, but it’s the tranquillity of experiencing nature and the smaller experiences in this contained woodland which really standout. Then, there’s the Worlebury Camp which is the site of an Iron Age hillfort. One of the great things about the outdoors is its relationship with the past, and if you’re a history buff, you’ll love exploring this camp and learning its secrets. The terrain is typically easy to manage, but does have some uphill climbs and rough paths throughout the woods. Plus, once you finish the walk, you’ll be right next to Weston-super-Mare, so you can finish off the day on the seaside. Glastonbury Tor We’ve talked about how engaging with history is one of the most exciting parts of hillwalking. And that’s no exception with this walk, which is a circular walk taking you from Glastonbury city centre to Glastonbury Tor. Starting from Draper Factory, you’ll soon find yourself on the National Trust path which leads to Glastonbury Tor - and you might even be able to spot it in the distance on clear days. If you want to get your legs working, this is the trail for you. There’s plenty of uphill climbs, although the well-defined paths will make it easy to find your way. At just 5km, it’s not the longest walk and will prove no challenge to experienced hillwalkers. But if you’re just getting started with hillwalking, or if you’re just in the mood for a short hike with gorgeous views and uphill climbs, you’ll love this. The cherry on top of the cake - or hill - is St Michael’s Tower, which stands atop Glastonbury Tor. It’s a gorgeous landmark which is sure to rouse the history buff inside you. If you’re heading out on an adventure anytime soon, you’ll want to make sure you’re well equipped. Whether it’s a reliable waterproof or a cosy pair of hiking trousers, Sprayway has what you need for a successful hillwalk. And if you find yourself out on the trail in some of our gear, we’d love to know. Send us a picture of you in your Sprayway outfit to our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with #Sprayway for a chance to feature on our social media.