Bristol has some epic dog walks. When we lived there, a Sunday morning dog walk was one of our favourite activities. They’re a fantastic way to explore the city, get off the beaten track, and enjoy the green areas.
In this article – we outline seven of the best dog walks in and around Bristol including off-lead options.
Here’s a quick overview of the walks…
- Castle Park & Harbour Loop
- Bristol Downs
- Parks of St. Pauls
- Snuff Mills
- St. Werburghs & City Farm
- Blaise Castle
- Hanham River Walk
Now let’s look at each of them in more detail…
Castle Park & Harbour Loop
Castle Park is just a couple of minutes from the central shopping areas of Broadmead and Cabot Circus. It’s the ideal starting point for a walk around the city centre, taking in the river, old buildings, and harbour area. This one is also pretty convenient if you’re coming into the city from Temple Meads train station.
From Castle Park, walk west along the river past the footbridge and Left Handed Giant brewery. Cross the road at the lights and continue along the path by the river towards the cobbles (left of Brewdog). You’ll pass the infamous King Street on your right, home to numerous pubs and a lively spot in the summer.
Follow the river past the old industrial buildings and traditional houses. When you get to the mini-roundabout, take the pathway to the right into Queen’s Park. This is a lovely green spot where you can let your dog off its lead for a runaround.
Carry on along the southern edge of the park and head out towards the pedestrian crossing, passing Society Cafe and over Pero’s Bridge. From this spot you can take in views of the whole harbour before heading north along the waterfront.
Travel tip – If you fancy something a bit longer, check out our extended Bristol Harbour Walk.
You’ll come out into a pedestrianised area (The Centre). Turn right up the footpath just past Baldwin Street, and you’ll end up on Corn Street which eventually leads back to Castle Park.
Bristol Downs
This is one of the classic off-lead dog walks in Bristol. We’d wager every dog owner in the city has done it at least once.
The Downs are a huge open area set up high where your dog can run around to its heart’s content. It’s tree lined on one side and all grass fields which does mean it gets muddy on a wet day. But on a dry sunny day (they do exist in Bristol, honest), it’s the ideal open space to burn some energy.
The area is actually made up of both Durdham Downs and Clifton Downs. One loop around the Downs is 3.3 miles (5.3km) and takes about an hour. There are also pathways that zigzag back and forth across it so you can cut off different corners if you want something shorter.
There’s on-street parking on the Redland side of the park but the spaces get snapped up at weekends, so best to arrive early.
Parks of St. Pauls
St. Paul’s probably doesn’t spring to mind as a dog-walking haven. But it has several excellent parks that you can join together into a lovely walk. Plus, the area has some fantastic murals and street art, so it’s ideal for a Bristol graffiti walk too.
From McDonalds, cross the road and cut through the street opposite into Brunswick Square. Continue straight ahead towards the building that looks like a church. Take a minute to look up and scan the attic windows – if you look closely you can spot Spiderman hanging out in one.
Take the small pathway behind the smaller churchy-looking building into Cemetery Park. This area is enclosed almost all the way around so a safe space to let your dog off its lead. There are also tracks around the edge that enable you to view the old tombstones.
Turn right out of the other end of the park and walk straight ahead for 5 mins. You’ll see some impressive murals on the right hand side, around the base of the high rise flats. Continue straight until you get to the Learning Centre, then turn right to walk diagonally through the grassy area.
Head up the main road, then turn left along Davey Street which opens up into St. Agnes Park. This is another area that’s almost completely enclosed which makes it ideal for letting your dog off its lead again (there are more murals here too). Exit past the adventure playground and head right towards Cabot Circus to complete the loop.
Snuff Mills
When we first moved to Bristol, a number of other dog walkers recommended Snuff Mills to us. It certainly didn’t disappoint.
Snuff Mills combines a tranquil river walk with a dog-friendly woodland setting. It’s only 10 mins drive from the centre of Bristol but feels like a world away.
There’s a bubbling brook that makes it feel particularly peaceful. And the dappled light through the trees adds to the tranquillity. Since the route is mainly shaded, it’s an ideal dog walk for sunny days.
You’ll find a small car park at the start of the trail. From here, follow the path east along the river and cross at the Halfpenny Bridge. Once on the opposite river bank, you can continue walking alongside it, then loop back via the Oldbury Court Estate. It’s an open green area where your dog can have a good runabout before heading home.
St. Werburghs & City Farm
The area of St. Werburghs features smart terraced houses, extensive allotments, and its very own urban farm. If you’re looking for good dog walks in Bristol, then you’ll be spoilt for choice around here. Plus there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs, cafes, and independent shops to stop for a break.
It’s a fun area to explore as it boasts both urban and green areas. Alongside the Victorian terraced houses (complete with balconies) and recently renovated Paintworks, there are huge areas dedicated to allotments.
The City Farm raises animals and grows food, so is an interesting side-activity for kids and adults alike. Dogs aren’t allowed inside though for obvious reasons but you can still see the animals and read about it from the street. We’d recommend doing a loop through the allotments, past the farm, and down into urban St. Werburghs for the architecture and independent vibe.
Blaise Castle
The Blaise Castle Estate is fantastic for dog walking in north Bristol. Located close to Henbury and Westbury on Trym, it’s a huge open space with hilly terrain in places. There are dedicated walkways around the grounds along with a folly, amphitheatre, and hill fort.
The estate is about 2.5 miles from one end to the other so you can easily spend 2 hours exploring the whole thing. There are also plenty of areas to let your dog off their lead.
Conham River Walk
If you’re after great waterside walks in Bristol, then Conham River Park is the perfect spot. It’s situated a few miles out of the city near Hanham, towards the eastern border with the Somerset countryside.
Bristolians will know it as the site of legendary pub Beeses, which is accessed by boat across the river. But there’s an entire riverside walk that’s the perfect spot for exploring with your dog.
From the car park it’s a 20 minute walk in a loop around the park. It’ll take a bit longer if you stop for dog paddling breaks. But if you fancy something longer, the path extends further along the river another 20 minutes. So if you add wandering to the end and back, it’s a good hour’s walk.
Best Bristol Dog Walks
So, there you have our picks for the top dog walks in Bristol. Have you got other suggestions for people to check out? Let us know over on Instagram.
