Cherry View House, your Bristol City Break

bristol parks, playgrounds and parking

Big Beautiful Guide To Playgrounds, Parks and Parking

Exploring the expansive parks in East Bristol offers a rejuvenating perspective for visitors to Bristol staying in self catering accommodation. Situated within a short distance, these green spaces provide a diverse array of recreational opportunities, ranging from peaceful lakeside walks to energetic play sessions. Whether you are looking for a quiet morning stroll or a place to entertain children, the variety of outdoor environments in this district ensures that there is something for everyone.

Many visitors to Cherry View House bring children of all ages, so finding high-quality playgrounds is probably high on the list of things to do. Bristol parks are renowned for their relatively well-maintained facilities and diverse equipment.

Discovering the best green space near you: St George Park

One of the most immediate options is St Georges Park. Just minutes from Cherry View House it is an enjoyable way to spend time even if you are just passing through on the way to Church Road’s shops, pubs, restuarants or bus stops (that’ll link you to the city centre).

The playground at St George Park, which has undergone significant refurbishments to provide modern climbing frames, swings, and sensory play areas. The layout caters to different age groups, with separate sections for toddlers and older children. Within the playground there is a grassey area fenced for picnics, ball games or whatever.

St George Park also has a large skate park, fenced football / basketball court, table tennis area (no boooking required) and tennis courts. Contact Cherry View House for more information before your stay if you want to play tennis: we can book courts (there is a small administration charge)! A cafe at the centre of the park caters to visitors with seasonal opening making it convenient for those looking for refreshements and a stit down at the picnic tables: glorious during the summer.

Characterised by the natural bowl-shaped valley across roughly 38 acres and victorian landscape design with large trees and open spaces. Visitors can enjoy strolling around the park following the contours of the lake, as well as paths that link the central lake which has a small island with ducks, swans, cormorants and various other wildlife.

  • If you need to park there is free parking at the Chaulks Road Car Park. BS5 9EN.

Plumbers Hill Open Space

Easy walking distance from short term accommodation at Cherry View House is Plumbers Hill Open Space. Not a park, and, it doesn’t have a playground, but gets a mention because it’s so close. It’s great if you want a quite green space for ball games, frisby or whatever, and there is a flat area with miniture goals perfect for youngsters to play football. Free on street parking is available just outside the entrance on Plumbers Hill.

If you need refreshments The Orchard Coffee and Co just of the top of Plumbers Hill is recommended. Easily accessible by foot either from St George Park or Plumbers Hill Open Space. It’s a converted Chapel and has a quirky open plan interior design.

Owen Square Park

Just off the Bristol and Bath Railway Path this area is perfect if you are walking into the city and need a pitstop for the kids too have a play. There are climbing frames, swings and a long slide. Also find a large basket ball court that doubles up for football. Parking isn’t so easy for Owen Square Park, because it’s sorrounded by busy terraced streets.

For those using the Bristol to Bath Railway path to get into Bristol City Centre Newtown Park is also en route. Find slides, roundabout, climbing frames and monkey rings.

Eastvillle Park

This Victorian-era parkland is characterized by rolling hills with large open grasslands, mature trees, and formal landscaping. Its size ensures that even on busy weekends, you can find a quiet corner for a picnic. Eastville features two primary play locations. The upper playground is easily accessible from the Park Avenue car park and is the larger of the two play grounds. Suitable for children aged up to 10 years old.

  • Park Avenue car park; BS5 6QL. Electric Vehicle charging points are available.
  • Open daily.

At the far side (opposite side to Fishponds Road) visitors can take paths down the side of the valley to Eastville Park Lake. Slightly longer than St George Park lake but more narrow it is supplied by the River Frome. The surrounding paths are flat and accessible, making the lake a popular walking destination for all ages. If you are looking for a longer walk and want more natural surroundings the Frome Valley walk up to Frome Vale, which includes our next park, is the thing to do in Bristol for you. Taking in Snuff Mills and the river garden there is a place to stop for coffee en route (seasonal opening) and you’d never know you are in the heart of Bristol City.

Further Afield

Vassall’s Park in Oldbury Court Estate

Here you’ll find parking, large open grassland great for ball games, a large playground, leading to an landscape designed for pleasant walking beneath a variety of trees. Walk far enough and the terrain drops into a romantic and picturesque gorge, featuring steep wooded slopes.

Exploring the playground children will find a water and sand zone, toddler area, adventure play for older kids with a zip line, and natural play features like logs, boulders and woodland den area. Visitors can seek refreshments from Oldbury Court Kiosk located next to the park.

  • Oldbury Court Car Park is pay and display. BS16 2JW. Although there is free on street parking nearby.
  • Open daily.

Dundridge Park leading to Conham River Park

To the South East of Cherry View House visitors can explore The River Avon Valley at Dundridge Park bordering Conham River Park. Dundrige park has large open grassey areas that are flat and often used for sports. There is a well-equipped, fenced children’s playground located to the side of the playing fields. The multi-play units with slides and an adventure trail is geat for children aged up to 12 years old.

Bristol City Council has designated areas where flying model aircraft and drones is permitted. To the side is a wooded valley that leads down to The River Avon where the flat terrain drops down and acts as a gateway to The River Avon Trail.

  • For the playground use free parking at the car park on Dunridge Lane; BS5 8SW. Or free residential parking nearby.

Descend the steep wooded valley and find Conham River Park on the other side of Conham Road. It’s a picturesque riverside park and woodland reserve located in a loop of the River Avon : a wildlife haven and home to kingfishers, cormorants, herons, and otters along the river, while the woods shelter owls, deer, and even a protected bat cave. The landscape is dotted with echoes of it’s industrial past with ruins of the site for quarrying and coal mining, including the remains of a powder house and smelter works.

During summer, a small ferry boat (just £1 return) takes passengers across the river to the historic Beeses Riverside Bar, which has served refreshments since 1846. If the river crossing is running the adventurous can explore the South side of the valley up to Eastwood Farm. Close to the river crossing for Beeses Riverside Bar is a hub for wild swimming although local bylaw technically prohibits swimming. Also find people paddle boarding and kayaking.

From Conham River Car Park there is a picnic area over looking the river and there are toilets.

  • Conham River Car Park; BS15 3AW.

Brandon Hill

Rising steeply from the edge of the city centre, Brandon Hill serves as a dramatic landmark and the oldest municipal open space in the country (granted to the city in 1174). Bridging the gap between the vibrant Park Street and the residential slopes of Clifton it’s easy to get to by foot and car. It is defined by undulating grassy slopes, winding woodland paths, and a dedicated nature reserve managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust. At its summit stands the iconic Cabot Tower, a 105-foot red sandstone monument built in 1897.

The park’s varied elevation creates a series of natural terraces that offer a “green lung” for the city, featuring wildflower meadows that burst with cowslips and knapweed during the spring and summer months. A primary draw for visitors is the climb to the top of Cabot Tower, which rewards the effort with a panoramic 360-degree view of Bristol Harbourside, the spires of the city centre, and the distant hills of the Mendips. The Tower opens at 8AM and closes at dusk daily and is free admission. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, the park offers a scenic “Tree Trail,” a wildlife pond often teeming with frogs, and plenty of secluded spots perfect for a summer picnic. A multi-segmented pond system features waterfalls, small bridges and places to sit, which some kids seem to love.

Brandon Hill has a play area tucked into the lower slopes of the South West side close to Jacob’s Wells Road. Often affectionately dubbed the “Squirrel Playground” due to the famously bold squirrels that frequent the area, the site is divided into distinct zones to cater to different age groups. Younger children can enjoy a fenced, dog-free sandpit area equipped with toddler-friendly swings and a small climbing frame. For older adventurers, the playground features more challenging equipment, including monkey bars and traditional swings. For old kids there is a well-maintained outdoor exercise station. This area includes pull-up bars and various calisthenics equipment, often used by locals as a scenic alternative to a traditional gym. Its position at the base of the hill makes it a convenient stop-off point before or after the steep climb toward Cabot Tower. The playground’s proximity to the Queen’s Parade houses—known for their vibrant, colourful facades—adds a charming backdrop to the area, making it one of the most picturesque spots for a family break in central Bristol.

Getting there is straightforward; it is a short, albeit steep, walk from the shops of Park Street. If you want to save your legs for the hill itself, the Number 8 bus runs frequently from the city centre and Temple Meads, dropping you off right at the top of the hill near Great George Street. Alternatively, the ferry to the ss Great Britain landing provides a scenic approach from the water, followed by a brisk uphill walk to reach the park’s lower gates. Paths from Jacob’s Wells Road and Queen’s Parade pave the way.

  • Frog Lane Car Park. To the rear of the Bristol City Council Building. BS1 5UY
  • Millenium Square Car Park. Lots of parking spaces here (multi-storey). BS1 5LL.

Comments fom people online

The “Must-Visit” Favorites

Brandon Hill: Consistently rated as one of the best views in the city. Reviewers on Google and Reddit frequently mention the “bold” squirrels and the peaceful atmosphere. It is widely praised as a romantic sunset spot, though many warn that the climb is a “genuine workout” for your calves.

St George Park: Recent social media chatter is dominated by excitement over the £680,000 upgrade to the playground and skate park. While parents love the new facilities, local Reddit threads often advise avoiding the park after dark due to a lack of lighting and occasional “dodgy” activity near the lake and toilets.

Oldbury Court Estate (Vassall’s Park): This is a top-tier choice for parents. The “pirate ship” and water/sand play area are frequently cited as the best in East Bristol. Walkers love the riverside trails but often warn that paths can become a “mud bath” in the winter.

Riverside & Nature Escapes

Conham River Park: Highly popular with the “wild swimming” and paddle-boarding community. Users on Google highlight the ferry to Beese’s Riverside Bar as a highlight of the Bristol summer. It’s described as peaceful and scenic, though parking is often noted as a nightmare on sunny weekends.

Eastwood Farm: Known as a “hidden gem” for those who want to escape the city bustle. Reviewers frequently mention the friendly llamas and goats and the abundance of wildlife like herons and kingfishers. It has a more “wild” and less “manicured” feel than St George or Eastville.

Snuff Mills: Often praised for its “fairytale” atmosphere. It is a favorite for dog walkers and photographers due to the historic mill and the winding River Frome. The nearby Harvester is often mentioned as a convenient, if standard, pitstop for families.

The Community “Pitstops”

Eastville Park: People appreciate the scale of this park. It’s seen as a true community hub, hosting festivals and large gatherings. The lake is a focal point, though some reviews mention that litter can occasionally be an issue after busy weekends.

Owen Square & Newtown Parks: These are generally viewed as functional “neighborhood parks.” Owen Square is often noted for its basketball court, while Newtown is praised as a useful, safe play break for families walking the Bristol to Bath Railway Path.

Plumbers Hill: Often described as a “locals’ secret.” While it lacks the facilities of the larger parks, users value it for being quiet, dog-friendly, and perfect for a quick bit of “fresh air” without the crowds.

Where to Stay in Bristol: Quality and Convenience

For those looking to explore these beautiful parks and the vibrant community of East Bristol, we recommend staying at Cherry View House, offering excellent value self-catering accommodation in Bristol. Ideally situated in the Whitehall area, you’ll be within walking distance of St George Park and perfectly positioned to enjoy everything the BS5 area has to offer.

William, Editor
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