3 min readLocal writer Natalie Burns gives us a run down of her top parks, pubs and pit stops around Fishponds in East Bristol.
Fishponds isn’t necessarily the top of the list when you think of places to visit in Bristol (firstly, it's got a weird name!). However, there’s more to Fishponds than the slightly rough-round-the-edges pubs on its high street.
Image - Snuff Mills Gardens
Look a little closer and you’ll find beautiful walks, independent restaurants serving food from around the world, and some great farmers markets and craft fairs. The best bit is, they’ve haven’t got trendy yet, which means they don’t have the associated price tag. It also means they aren’t that well publicised either…
So have a little trust, ignore that many of the best places don’t have a snazzy website (or in some cases, a website at all) and just go and investigate on the recommendation of your humble writer...
The Bristol and Bath Railway Path
Tucked away behind the cul-de-sacs, the Railway Path is a beautiful walk or cycle route running from just behind Temple Meads in Bristol to the Pultney Bridge in Bath. The Fishponds stretch includes an old railway tunnel hidden amidst the trees, an abandoned rail station surrounded by damson trees (well laden in the summer) and long, tangled banks of blackberry bushes.
Get down there at the right time of year and you can enjoy a peaceful countryside meander without venturing too far from the city, and do some urban scrumping while you’re at it. You’ll deserve that fruit crumble after all the exercise.
The Bristol and Bath Railway Path, Credit: Sustrans
The All Inn
Venture to the end of Fishponds High Street, and not far beyond you’ll find The All Inn pub. Like most of Fishponds, this lovely unpretentious local is easily overlooked due to it’s unassuming location at the fork between two dull-looking roads. However, the pub offers a lovely cosy atmosphere, a pub quiz, and a menu of pizza and burgers.
Snuff Mills
I discovered Snuff Mills in my first few weeks in Bristol. Having come from the countryside I found the Bristol chaos quite intimidating before discovering I could hide among the trees for a bit of peace in this little safe haven.
Part of Oldbury Court Estate, Snuff Mills is nestled away at the top of the wonderfully named Blackberry Hill. From there you can follow riverside walks past picnic areas and all the way down to Eastville Park. With lots of green space, a play area for the kids, a working water mill and lots of tree lined walkways; it’s a great day out.
Oldbury Court and Snuff Mills, Credit: Destination Bristol
Eastville Park
From numerous festivals to boating on the lake to free tennis courts, Eastville Park is a huge expanse of green space with a lot going on. Often overlooked by city centre Bristolians, this park is well worth a visit, and only a ten-minute bus ride from the centre (the 48 & 49 busses stop right at the park entrance).
Eastville Park, Credit: Paul Box
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