Bristol Trail

Route Directions

From inside of main entrance of Station follow signs to Ferry. Pass through one of Brunel’s railway terminals (now a car park) down the slope through the car park and follow the Isambard Walk to right of the ‘round’ Square to modern footbridge over the river. * If footbridge closed turn left alongside river and turn right over road bridge to rejoin route at **. Cross and straight on path to road and turn left. 50m and turn left along block paved path on left of building. Straight on following path with river on left to reach bridge**, follow path to cross road at pedestrian crossing. Straight on, cross another road passing Bristol News & Media building to reach mauve coloured railings. Take the steps down, through underpass, emerging at top of steps heading towards direction of church in distance, cross bridge and bear right to cross Lower Castle Street (Marriot Hotel on right). Follow wall on right into Castle Street to gap and turn right on walled path and under archway passing yellow building on left and turn left just before childrens play area. Straight on taking left fork, bandstand on right, following left hand path overlooking river on left, passing church on castle mound. Straight on to reach road by bridge and cross at second pedestrian crossing up from bridge heading for Baldwin Street to the left of St. Nicholas church. Straight on for 20m then turn right up steps to markets.

Q1. When was St. Nicholas’s Market established?

Straight on through All Saints Lane to end and turn left. Straight on into Clare Street to road and cross to ‘Sail structure’ and turn left with mini fountains on right. Straight on along left hand side of quay to turn right over Pero’s (Ear trumpet!) bridge and straight on to the Tourist Information Centre. Turn right passing Explore @ Bristol to street, cross and turn right. Straight on to steps on left and emerge into College Green and turn left at end of railings passing Bristol Cathedral on left.

Q2. What was the Cathedral Church formerly?

Turn right on paving through College Green with water feature on left in front of the City council building (golden unicorns on roof) to road, turn left uphill along Park Street to turn left into Charlotte Street (100m before Bristol University/City Museum buildings). Straight on, right hand side, up the steps into Brandon Hill Park and turn left by green railings, take the first right fork, ignore right and left turns, continuing on level path passing park benches on right and left, the Peace plaque and a pond, taking the steps down on your left to bottom and turn left. Straight on path to crossing by benches and litter bin and turn sharp right downhill between park info sign and litter bin passing red/orange panelled apartments on left (in distance) reaching the Wildlife Centre on the right to steps and road. Cross road to Constitution Hill (1 in 6), straight on up to top (Lower Clifton Hill sign opposite), cross road to Clifton Road and turn left then bear right on path to ‘T’ post, cross road and turn left for 10m then turn right onto St Andrews Walk (War memorial on right). Straight on tree arched walkway to reach The Fosseway, cross road and bear left to Victoria Square Hotel. Cross road and enter Victoria Square along diagonal walled path, through the arch into Boyce’s Avenue (shops!) and straight on road to T junction, cross at zebra crossing, turn left. Turn right into Princess Victoria Street keeping on right hand side to turn right into The Mall to the end. Turn left into Gloucester Row to cross road (Sion Place/Hill). Straight on to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and cross for free! Admire the view, especially down!

Q3. Who cares?

Straight on road to bear left into Burwalls Road and follow to the National Trust Leigh Wood footpath, turn left through railed enclosure to continue on footpath through woods taking either of split paths (they both join each other) to concrete structure, turn left over railway bridge and then turn right onto the Avon Walkway. At footpath ‘T’ junction turn left, passing under Brunel Way. Straight on and turn left over old railway bridge and turn right (multi coloured sign!) to continue straight on following the Avon Walkway, river on right to green bridge. Up steps turn left, crossing over the railway and Cumberland Road, turn right down steps. Straight on passing ‘Spike Island’, turn left into Gasferry Road (Alternative start point) to reach the Floating Harbour quayside where a detour to view Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Cabot’s replica ship can be taken.

Q4. What is the Roman date on wall plaque [on bottom right], on building on right opposite display anchors?

Turn right and continue straight on with the Floating Harbour on the left following quayside passing cranes on left, straight on to road junction, turn left over Princes Street bridge. Turn right along the quayside passing the Thekla Social ship to follow to Redcliffe Bridge and cross. Straight on to roundabout going anti-clockwise to pass the Quaker’s Burial ground on right hand side and cross road to St Mary Redcliffe Church. Straight on along Redcliffe Way follow pavement on right hand side of ‘island’ to pedestrian crossing on left by Express Holiday Inn, cross and turn right passing the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum and turn left to Temple Meads Railway Station approach and end of walk.