So, it has been HOT outside for the past few days! Whilst it’s perhaps a bit too toasty to be sat directly in the sunshine, there are still plenty of great outdoor spaces (with shady patches!) in Bristol for a fabulous summer picnic…
The Downs is popular all year round with runners, cyclists, walkers and all but it really comes to life in the summer as a place for al fresco dining. This enormous green space in Clifton is beautifully bright and really a lovely spot to spend a long summer evening with friends (it even has a BBQ area too!)
Ashton Court. Home of the balloon fiesta in August, the Ashton Court estate is just across the Suspension Bridge but gives an incredible feeling of being in the middle of the countryside! The estate covers an astounding 850 acres and is made up of both woodland and parkland (with a deer park, bike trails galore and even an 18-hole golf course on offer). With a café on site inside of the old manor house too, there’s even somewhere to pick up a cheeky treat if you fancy something sweet.
Brandon Hill is sometimes overlooked but it’s a fantastic park (one of the oldest in the city) and offers spectacular views across Bristol from Cabot Tower. Lovely and relaxed, Brandon Hill is also just a minute’s walk from Park Street so is perfect for a picnic after an afternoon’s shopping in town.
Just down the hill from Brandon Hill is the popular College Green. As soon as the sun comes out, this green is full of people and is right in front of the cathedral so offers lovely surroundings too. For any ice cream lovers out there, Swoon Gelato just opposite the Green is an absolute must – the best Italian gelato you’ll find in all of Bristol and the Bacio flavour comes VERY highly recommended!
These picnic spots are to name but a few and Bristol offers so many more to include Queen Square, Temple Church and gardens, Castle Park, Victoria Park, Greville Smyth Park and that’s without even looking outside of the city centre! Slightly further afield you’ll find Chew Valley lake, Blagdon lake and Cheddar gorge…get your hampers ready and wherever you choose, make sure you save us a sausage roll!