Blaise Castle, Coombe Dingle and the Kings Weston estate
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This is an 11.3 km walk around the grounds of the Grade II registered parkland of Blaise Castle estate and the adjacent Kings Weston estate. Situated just to the North West of the City of Bristol, it is easily accessible from M5 Junction 17 and 18.
Commencing from the car park, we walk across to the 18th century Blaise Castle House Museum, the home of the social history collection. We then walk down to Stratford Mill and follow the tree lined limestone gorge of Hazel Brook, along which you will find Tarn Lake and Penny Well. Hazel Brook then joins into the River Trym at Coombe Dingle, and we continue to follow the course of the river through a mix of woodland and grass meadows down to where it meets the River Avon.
From here the route follows the Avon for a short distance before walking along the southern edge of Shirehampton Golf course (be alert for shouts of FOUR!), before heading into the grounds of Kings Weston House, towards Penpole Point. Travelling back towards the Blaise Castle estate we will lunch beside the 18th century grade 1 listed Kings Weston House, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1712 who also designed Blenheim Palace. There is a coffee shop here, where you can get yourself a drink or ice cream.
The final leg of today’s walk takes us past two follies. The first of which is at the top of the Kings Weston estate, then passing through hill top limestone meadows and along to an Iron Age hill fort we get to grade II listed 18th century Blaise Castle folly, built by Robert Mylne in 1766 for wealthy Bristol merchant Thomas Farr, which featured in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. The Blaise castle estate was also the backdrop for the village of Avalon in the 2023 Arthurian drama The Winter King.
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What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking.
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: Proper walking trousers. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Food & drink
Please bring snacks for energy, plenty of water for hydration and a packed lunch. There is a coffee shop at Kings Weston House where you can purchase light snacks and/or ice creams, as well as a cafe at the Blaise Castle car park.