The Downs

Large green spaces on the edge of the city suitable for picnics, exercise, sport and events.

Admission and opening times

There is no charge for admission. The Downs is open at all times. Access may be restricted for special events.

Location

Clifton Down and Durdham Down are north of the city centre. 

Parking

There is no dedicated car park. Find out where to park in Bristol.

Disabled access

To find out about accessibility at The Downs, you can look at an access guide on DisabledGo.

Facilities and features

• Café Retreat
• toilets and baby changing facilities at Circular Road, Stoke Road and near Clifton Suspension Bridge
• benches and picnic areas
• children’s playground on Sion Hill
• BBQ area on Ladies Mile: you can only BBQ on the flagstones set into the signposted area
• six outdoor exercise stations
• football pitches and changing rooms
• Avon Gorge
• Clifton Down Camp, an Iron Age hillfort near the Clifton Observatory
• Clifton Observatory, camera obscura and cave
• Roman Road on Durdham Downs
• parts of The Downs are scheduled ancient monuments

The Downs Committee

This is a group that manages The Downs and makes decisions about the area and events held there. Members are Merchant Venturers, councillors and council officers. You can look at agendas, minutes and reports from Downs Commitee meetings.

The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife project

This is a group of organisations that support the wildlife in the park and run events and tours. For more information visit the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project website.

Community support

The Friends of The Downs and Avon Gorge is a community group that supports the park. For more information or to join visit the Friends of The Downs and Avon Gorge website.

Activities

Cycling

There is an off-road cycle path from Saville Road to Stoke Road. You can’t cycle on footpaths, woodland and grass areas of The Downs.

Horse riding

You can ride horses around the football pitches except on Sundays and bank holidays. You can’t ride horses on the football areas or the area from Bridge Valley Road to the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Kite flying

The Downs is exposed, which is good for flying kites.

Outdoor fitness sessions

There are sessions run by:

• Calon Personal Training
• British Military Fitness

Nordic walking

Nordic walking is outdoor fitness walking using specially designed poles. Find out about sessions at the Downs at the Bristol Nordic Walking website.

Walking routes

You can download our walking routes:

Bird trail

1.4 miles (1 hour)

Bird trail leaflet (pdf, 681k) (opens new window)

Lichen trail

0.4 miles (30 minutes)

Lichen trail leaflet (pdf, 2.1MB) (opens new window)

Meadow trail

0.7 miles (30 minutes)

Meadow trail leaflet (pdf, 1.8MB) (opens new window)

Tree trail

1.4 miles (1 hour)

Tree trail leaflet (pdf, 1.1MB) (opens new window)

Seasonal family trails

Spring family trail leaflet (pdf, 1.3MB) (opens new window)  

Summer family trail leaflet (pdf, 1.7MB) (opens new window)

Autumn family trail leaflet (pdf, 2MB) (opens new window)

Winter family trail leaflet (pdf, 1.3MB) (opens new window)

History trails

Durdham Down history trail leaflet (pdf, 2MB) (opens new window)

Clifton Down history trail leaflet (pdf, 1.9MB) (opens new window)

Wildlife on the Downs

Bristol Downs wildlife sheet (pdf, 1MB) (opens new window)

Awards and heritage

• Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site: an important place for geology and geomorphology
• Site of nature conservation interest: protected area of importance for wildlife
• Dark Sky Discovery Site: a good place to look at the night sky