Ashton Court and Leigh Woods (Tier 3)

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete the Participation Statement,  here, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. (If you have recently completed this, you do not need to complete it again.)

This is a 13km walk taking in Leigh Woods, Paradise Bottom, Abbots Pool and the Ashton Court Estate. Situated just outside of Bristol in North Somerset, this Tier 3 walk contains a mixture of woodland and the open grassland of Ashton Court.

Leigh Woods is an ancient woodland, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.  It was originally designed by Humphrey Repton, and restored by the Forestry Commission after World War II, when much of it was felled for the war effort.  Despite this, there are still some areas that retain the original woodland, such as the Giant Redwood, Weymouth Pine, Sweet Chestnut and Fulham Oak located within the Paradise Bottom Arboretum.

Moving west our lunch stop will be at Abbots Pool.  Surrounded by Oak, Beech and Sycamore trees, Abbot's Pool was originally used in the middle ages by the monks from St Augustine Abbey in Bristol, to provide fresh fish. The landscaping of this popular beauty spot was completed by the Wills family in the 1920's.

After our lunch stop we will finish our day back in the grounds and landscaped gardens of the Ashton Court Estate.  Whilst nothing can be seen of the original fortified 11th century manor, Ashton Court has been substantially re-modelled through its history, and is a mix of many different architectural styles, including gothic, Tudor, Victorian and Jacobean influences.  There is also a large Deer Park to the north of the mansion house, where you may well be able to see the odd Deer or two!

Micro Events – IMPORTANT, Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Public transport use to the start point is discouraged, as this is a non-essential journey. 
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice.
• On walks, one person to hold open gates and allow everyone to walk through – so minimising surfaces that multiple people touch. 
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Each person can only attend one OutdoorLads event a week.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

Micro Events Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our micro events.

Photo Credits: All photos taken by Colin Day and permission is granted to OutdoorLads for further use.