Get out and about in Kingswood this spring

I was asked to come up with a Top 10 list of must-visit places in the Kingswood area now that spring is here.

So here they are, in no particular order. I am sure you have your own favourites. Share them here with other Kingswood People.

1. Willsbridge Valley:  an oasis of wildlife. This peaceful, wooded valley is the home of Willsbridge Mill, Avon Wildlife Trust’s Education and Countryside Centre. There is wheelchair access to most of the valley. See www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

2. Learn about local history at Kingswood Heritage Museum:  mining, boot making, locally made Douglas motorcycles, plus take a tour of the amazing historical gardens. Volunteer staff know their stuff. The site is an ancient monument, home to the world’s first industrial brass foundry. And all just down the road from Asda! The entrance fee is £2, with under-12s free. Check out opening times at www.kingswoodmuseum.org.uk.

3. Cock Road Ridge, Kingswood: a four-minute walk from Longwell Green Leisure Centre, it has unrivalled views of Bristol and towards Bath, and is full of wildlife. Find out more at wwwcock-road-ridge.org.uk

4. Pilgrims come from around world to see Hanham Mount where John Wesley and George Whitefield preached their earliest open-air sermons to miners in the 18th century (the green beacon shines at night). The whole of the Kingswood area is rich in old chapels from the non-conformist movement and the council has a great heritage trail leaflet you can download at http://tinyurl.com/yj8ntzj

5. Page Park in Staple Hill: 100 years old this year. At the centre of the park is a clocktower shelter. There’s a sensory garden, bowling green, tennis court, aviary, play area and a real sense of open space in the middle of suburbia. The park holds bittersweet memories for me as I knocked two teeth out on the park’s see-saw as a child many years ago!

6. Grimsbury Farm, Kingswood: working farm run by a volunteer friends group. As well as horses, cows, sheep, donkeys, pygmy goats, chickens, ducks, pot-bellied pigs, exotic birds and rabbits there’s a picnic site, orchard and play area. Entrance is free. The Forest of Avon Tree Life Centre is also based here – the community tree nursery volunteers collect seeds from local native trees and wildflowers, cultivate them, then sell them on or plant them out.  Find out more about Grimsbury Farm at www.southglos.gov.uk

7. The 14th century Barrs Court Moat: tucked away in the middle of a housing estate near Asda, this amazing medieval relic is looked after by the Friends of Barrs Court Moat. See www.barrscourtmoat.org.uk

8. Brewery tour of Bath Ales,Warmley: and a chance to try my personal favourite tipple, Gem. Tours by appointment are £7.50 per head and are for groups of between 12 and 25 people. You can combine your tour with food at a Bath Ales pub if you fancy (my recommendation is The Swan at Swineford). Check out www.bathales.com

9. The Bristol and Bath Railway Path (www.bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk): 13-mile off-road route for walkers and cyclists linking the two cities. Includes the spectacular  Staple Hill Tunnel, hailed as Britain’s best railtrail tunnel, and Bitton Station, home to the popular heritage railway (www.avonvalleyrailway.org)

10. Hanham Court Gardens: recently voted most the dreamy in England by the BBC’s gardening magazine. Owned by Prince Charles’ garden designers who open them up to the public from Easter to October. Entrance is £6.50. Find out more at www.hanhamcourt.co.uk