With two bank holidays and the school holidays, May is a good time to get out and about and explore the local area. We compiled a list of local attractions around Kingswood, which are either free or incur a small fee to visit. Take a look and enjoy exploring!
- Grimsbury Farm: On Grimsbury Roar in Kingswood, this community farm is owned by South Gloucestershire Council. Access is free and there is free parking on site. Open between 9am to 5pm, the farm has a selection of animals including horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits as well as chickens and ducks. Facilities include a play area, an orchard and a cafe. Animal feed can also be purchased at £1 per serving, for feeding sheep and goats or chicken. To find out more visit https://www.grimsburyfarm.org/.
- Kingswood Heritage Museum: The largest independent museum in South Gloucestershire, Kingswood Museum is on the site of William Champion’s 18th Century brass works in Warmley. Open for the summer season, the museum is a champion of local history and holds a wide collection of local artefacts, photos and interactive resources. New exhibitions this year include a spotlight of Kingswood’s High Street shops, a fully operating train track, a history of local pubs and of local farms over the years. Entrance is free for children under 12 and £4.50 for over 12 year olds. The museum also has a gift shop, a range of local history books, and a Tea room. More details can be found by visiting https://www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk/
- Kingsmeadow at MadeForever: This community hub on Fisher Road in Kingswood runs a range of clubs and activities for all ages. From tots group and youth group, to support with technology and activities such bingo, knitting, crochet, walking, friendship and exercise. A new group called Sounds and Wellbeing in Nature started on Monday April 29. The Community Cafe on site also offers free hot meals and food parcels. For more details visit https://kingsmeadowmade4ever.org.uk/
- Kingswood Park: Kingswood Park celebrates 90 years in 2024. Access within the park as well as the park play area and other faciles are in the process of being updated.
- Avon Valley Railway (Bitton Station): This is an opportunity to take a step back in time to experience an original Victorian Midland Railway station with modern facilities. Visitors can go for a walk alongside the track on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path (the 13 mile off-road route between Bristol and Bath city centres) or take a ride in a heritage carriage behind one of the steam or diesel locomotives. You can take a picnic to the dedicated picnic area at Avon Riverside Station or enjoy breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in the station buffet. More details available here https://www.avonvalleyrailway.org/
- Magpie Bottom Nature Reserve: This is a nature reserve tucked away in Hanham, just off Bryants Hill (A431), with ponds, stream, park and woodland. If you enjoy getting closer to nature, Magpie Bottom Nature Reserve is the right place. From the main entrance on Byrants Hill, the path takes you to a duck pond and a natural spring. Next, you will reach the narrow nature reserve, where you can explore small areas of woodland and parkland. It can take around two hours to explore around the whole Magpie Bottom Nature Reserve and there is also the option to extend your walk further to Dundridge Park, Conham River Park or Troopers Hill.
- Dundridge Park and Conham Vale: Located near Hanham and on the border of St George is Dundridge Park with picturesque views. Dundridge Park has large, flat, grass areas and scenic walkways, football pitches and an enclosed children’s play area. Woodlands border the park, which lead up to Conham Vale, a steep sloping woodland which was previously a quarry and is now abundant with wildlife and spring flowers. Conham Vale has gravel walkways that meander through the woods, leading to the old quarry and further down to the stream and pond.
- Willsbridge Mill: Set in the heart of Willsbridge, Willsbridge Mill Nature Reserve is an oasis of tranquillity, where people can connect with nature. Visitors can explore scenic trails, walk along the river and enjoy a warm drink at the cafe. Willsbridge Mill also runs community events, educational programmes, and conservation projects which aim to engage members of the local community. For more details visit https://willsbridgemill.com/
- Warmley Forest Park: An area of woodland, hedgerows and paths, Warmley Forest Park is near the Bristol to Bath Railway Path. The main entrance to the park is off Warmley High Street and there is free parking on Station Close. The park has large open grasslands, woodlands, Siston Brook and a large pond.
- Wick Golden Valley: Wick Golden Valley is a nature reserve with mature trees including English oak, beech, ash, whitebeam lime and wild service tree. These are remnants of the ancient Kingswood royal hunting forest. In spring, you can see bluebell cover and waymarked paths. The red path leads to an ochre quarry and a large weir. Parking is in the Village Hall car park, next to the Rose & Crown pub.