We live in a bustling, alive city in Bristol. A food scene to rival any major city, theatre performances to inspire and surrounded by glorious woods, gorge, sea and fields. But even within the city itself, there are wonderful places to connect with nature, unwind and feel calmer.
These days I spent the majority of my life within a square kilometer or so in BS9. From Westbury-on-Trym to Westbury Park, via the Downs, and back to Henleaze, my life now is more focused on the school run than many grand adventures. But even within this confined geography there are hidden gems, places to relish and love.
I’m sharing a few of my favorites here, in the hope of sharing these places with a few (though not too many)!
I perhaps do HAVE to say this, given I will be holding my Friday morning classes here. But I was drawn to teach here because I knew and loved it already as a little hidden sanctuary. A genuinely beautiful, calming yoga studio, a delightful little spa and all in touching distance of some of the world’s best pastries (at Little Shop and Pantry, of course), what’s not to love?!
There are of course lots of classes, treatments and spa trips on offer at Sensate all year round, so check out the website for more information: https://www.sensatespaandstudios.com
The Downs
An obvious one for North Bristol, perhaps, but a run or walk out to the viewpoint over the Downs always does wonders for my mood. Especially on cold winter days with golden sunsets.
Let’s hope it forever stays accessible to everyone, at all times.
Henleaze Lake
How could I not include this gem? This private swimming lake, open to members, guests and community access users, as well as other groups, is a real beauty. A beautiful old quarry lake, with steep quarry rock walls on one side, surrounded by gardens and woods, and with its own fantastic sauna, holds a special place in my heart. Particularly good for cooling down on a hot summer day, a dip and sauna here can’t help but elevate you from whatever mood you might be in and release you from the stresses of your day.
Redland Green
Another hidden gem, the park between Westbury Park and Redland Green, while small, is a thing of beauty. Journeys spent detouring just to go through it are time well spent. And if I had the tiniest inkling of green fingers I might sign up for an allotment, but I know that would be a total disaster in waiting!
My all time favourite. A tiny sanctuary; the number of times I have visited this place and felt- miraculously, in the winter- the sun on my face, the immediate sense of calm and the quiet contentedness it provokes in everyone including the kids. Meditative evening yoga classes I spent much of one busy winter attending with the backdrop of the river offered a rare kind of peace. And the arrival of Fire and Ice only elevates the place further.
Afternoons spent gently assisting a toddler to endlessly put those ball pit balls down the drain pipe while sipping on a hot drink were s parenting refuge. While frantically following said small one around extremely muddy forest school mornings were perhaps less so, but still the serene surrounding left a calming impression. Closed to general visitors in the winter, you can still taste the peace of the place through events, forest school and sauna sessions on site year round. https://wwpf.uk
It is amazing really how many amazing places we have on our doorstep. Hidden sanctuaries, connected with nature despite being in the urban sprawl. Perhaps explore these or suggest new ones to add to my list. Where are your favourite places in North Bristol to unwind?
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