Bristol offers a number of beautiful spots for swimming, walking and picnicking, though often these places can be very busy and crowded, making the experience less pleasant. Brandon Hill , St Andrews Park and Ashton Court Estate are all wonderful places to visit on a sunny day, but this lesser-known spot is the perfect alternative. The main footpath at Conham River Park runs along the River Avon and leads to Beeses Riverside Bar and Garden.
The Conham ferry runs between either side of the river for a £1 return journey. The park is part of the River Avon Trail, which begins in Pill and extends to Bath . The walk around the park itself takes a couple of hours as a leisurely stroll, but you will need wellies or walking boots if we have seen wet weather , as the path can get very muddy.
The park has not always been such a luscious and peaceful beauty spot. The area was previously used for mining and quarrying, and on the Beeses side of the river was used as a landfill site in the 1970s. Due to a 2009 council bylaw, swimming is actually prohibited in the River Avon around Conham River Park.
Conham Bathing, a group of swimmers, have long been campaigning for the river to be given Designated Bathing Water Status (DBWS) to allow swimmers to make safe decisions about entering the water. Though swimming in the river has not been approved by the council, the park is still a wild and nature-filled spot to go to whilst the weather is still warm and sunny. Just remember to not wear your best shoes if you are planning on taking on the trail.
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