Discover Bristol: Historic Brislington and St. Anne's Woods

Get your week off to a good start with two hours of guided walking in attractive surroundings with pleasant company.

The focus is very much on getting to know your fellow walkers, fresh air and gentle exercise. Exercise, socialising and learning are three out of the five steps to mental wellbeing.

On these Discover Bristol sessions Steve shares his extensive research on the wildlife, history, geography and geology of the city. There is also plenty of time to chat about random stuff that comes up along the way.

Old Brislington is packed with historic nuggets for us to seek out and consider. Our starting point, the White Hart, opened as a coaching inn on the Bristol to Bath road in 1738. It was once the venue for bare-knuckle boxing matches and church vestry meetings. Pilgrims met here on route to the chapel at St. Anne’s Wood. Henry VII was one such pilgrim. We will hear his words. And visit St. Anne's Well.

The oldest man ever to have lived was buried in nearby St. Luke’s churchyard in 1542. Remarkably, he was aged 153 when he died! Grave robbers were active here, too.

We will consider the Palladian style Church Hill House and try to recreate the Brislington of the eighteenth century. This was a highly fashionable area for the wealthy to live at that time.

The pace will be modest and there will be plenty of time to enjoy convivial conversation.

We will finish with coffee in a local Cafe.

This is a great opportunity to launch your week with a bit of leg stretching and some tongue wagging along the way.

There are regular buses to Brislington from Bristol City Centre.

As is our custom a full set of written notes will be emailed out after the walk to help you hold on to what you have picked up from our tour of Old Brislington and the River Avon

A Walk in the Past is a friendly group where regulars and newcomers are always welcome. Our aim is to combine a good walk with pleasant company in historic landscapes.