North Somerset Walks

A tranquil wilderness on the edge of North
Somerset has been an important spot to local
people for hundreds of years.
Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve has ancient woodland
and is home to many unusual plants and animals.
Whether you want a peaceful walk to remote parts of the woods,
or a short family stroll, there are numerous paths to follow.

Walk information Distance: about 1.5 miles Difficulty: easy – a level walk. Wellies or walking boots recommended in winter though. Duration: the circuit can be completed in about 45 mins. Map: OS Explorer 154

A tranquil wilderness on the edge of North Somerset has been an important spot to local people for hundreds of years. Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve has ancient woodland and is home to many unusual plants and animals. Whether you want a peaceful walk to remote parts of the woods, or a short family stroll, there are numerous paths to follow.

Leigh Woods, which sits alongside Avon Gorge, has long been recognised for its rich, natural environment. It contains a hillfort, Stokeleigh Camp, which is thought to have been occupied from the third century BC, as well as limestone and celestine quarries which were worked in the 18th and 19th centuries. Part of the land was bought by George Wills, of Bristol’s Imperial Tobacco, after it was threatened with development. He donated it to the National Trust in 1909 to preserve it as a special place for the public. Other areas of the nature reserve have now been taken over by the Forestry Commission.


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