Frome Valley Walkway - Frenchay, Bristol

Going left across Frenchay Bridge, then right along Frenchay Hill, you come to a row of cottages and what used to be Frenchay Flock Mill but, unfortunately, it will soon be turned into luxury flats. A short distance up Frenchay Hill you will see a sign leading to The Frome Valley Walkway (part of the continued walk). Going along Chapel Lane, which leads to Frome Villas, you will appreciate what a quaint corner of Frenchay this really is, which is typical of the usual 'chocolate box' cover-type cottages.

Go through the little gap next to the gate and just keep going straight. A short distance on you will see a stile to your left. This will take you into a large field, next to Tucketts Field. Go to the top of the hill and turn right. If you take this route go to paragraph C.

If you don't cross the stile but go straight on you'll come to Cleeve Wood Bridge. Make sure your dog is on the lead as you will soon be on a main road. On climbing over onto the bridge, turn left then left again, through a gateway. The property here belongs to the National Trust and is open to the public. It's called Frenchay Moor. The land was given to the National Trust by John Randall in memory of his daughter Sarah 1937. Turn right and climb up through what little now remains of the woods.

Walk across the field and through the gateway opposite. You are now in Tucketts Field This field is rented to a farmer for grazing his cows. I was informed by an elderly walker that the boulder in the middle of the field, surrounded by five Scots Pines, was the resting place of the Tucketts' favourite pony, and that the five trees surrounding it were planted to signify the Tucketts' five sons. Go to the top of Tucketts Field and through the gate. Make sure your dog is on its lead because you will soon be approaching a major road. Walk across the field and turn left. Go pass Frenchay Church and what was a unitarian chapel opposite.

This chapel is quite an interesting little building. It was built around 1650. The tower was added in 1720 and it has a Hayley's Comet Weathervane - very unusal for a chapel!

Carry on pass Frenchay Church, which is more or less opposite the chapel. Keep walking for a while and then turn left. Across The Common will eventually be seen the White Lion Pub - a perfect way to end the day.

You now have two choices:

If you want to catch a bus to Eastville Park or to the Bristol Centre, turn left at the pub and go up Pearce's Hill. Go pass the first two stops and catch the bus from the third. Most buses picking up here will stop at Eastville Park on its way to the centre.

If, however, you would like to go back to Frenchay Bridge, turn left on leaving the pub and walk down Pearce's Hill.

ENJOY!