There’s 850 acres and multiple cafes to explore, plus one of the oldest deer parks in the country
The sun rises over roaming deer on the Ashton Court Estate, Bristol, in crisp and cold weather(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
If you’re looking for an autumnal something to do that will allow you to bring your well-behaved kids and well-behaved dogs out to enjoy some fresh air and a hot beverage or refreshment, then a walk with a cafe at the end could be just the thing.
As the leaves turn those golden shades of Autumn and the weather gets a bit chillier (we hope) a brisk walk among some of the idyllic outside spaces across the city is a firm favourite pastime. While we may all be familiar with a country walk that ends with a landmark country pub to relax in, more and more cafes and coffee shops are appearing on some of our favourite walking routes.
In fact, a number of our much loved parks now have Bristol Gov listed ‘Bristol Park Cafes’ – spaces where friends and loved ones can gather, meet up and catch up, and enjoy hot and cold food and drinks, freshly made cakes and views of local beauty spots.
Among them, The Courtyard Cafe at the idyllic Ashton Court Estate sits housed within the stables of the historic mansion and is described as being a ‘perfect start or end to your adventure through the 850 acres of woods and grasslands’ here.
The cafe has a gold standard Bristol Eating Better Award, which is said to mean that its menu consists of a variety of locally sourced, healthy and sustainable options, and the menu changes with the changing seasons – so you know that if you visit during the autumn months you’ll be able to tuck into a warming autumnal treat.
The menu includes everything from chef’s soups and daily specials, with the cafe’s signature artisan bread sourdough toasties available all year round, as well as a selection of cakes.
The cafe usually opens between 9.30am to 4.40pm everyday, but weather can sometimes affect opening hours, so visitors are urged to call ahead to avoid disappointment.
Onsite, cafe goers can find indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, high chairs for babies and toddlers, and even a children’s play area. Meanwhile, a second cafe – The Golf Cafe – can also be found if you’ve just come off the mountain bike track, FootGolf course or running trail, and serves up hot coffees, refreshing cold drinks, healthy snacks and grilled lunches.
Dogs are also welcome here, and this cafe is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Sunday.
The Ashton Court Estate itself is usually free to enjoy with closing times changing throughout the year – you can find a list of them here. The site is usually open from around 8am everyday however. There is a car park next to the cafe – one of three car parks at the Estate, and parking charges vary.
You can also cycle and walk through Ashton Court Estate using the National Cycle Route 33 or venture across the Clifton Suspension Bridge for a very iconic adventure with equally iconic views.
Once you’ve made it onto the Estate itself, you’ll find it is a national site of Specific Scientific Interest, covering 300 hectares with wildflower-rich grasslands, woodlands, ponds and ancient oak trees. Some trees here are over 700 years old.
It is also home to one of the oldest deer parks in the country, more than 600 years old and containing around 200 red and fallow deer who help manage the land.
In addition to the deer, the Estate is home to many other species of wildlife – from orchids to saproxylic beetles, lesser horseshoe bats, great crested newts, and skylarks.
