Outstanding local natural beauty & signs of autumn in the U.K. 2008....

Outstanding local natural beauty & signs of autumn in the U.K. 2008. Blog 13

Posted on 31 Aug, 2008 12 comments

We are so fortunate because we have a stunning wildlife conservation area literally five minutes walk from our house.
It is called Avon Valley Woodlands, and is part of the beautiful Avon valley trail.
For more information visit the website at: www.riveravontrail.org.uk

There are ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows and spectacular views of the River Avon that winds its way through our ancient seaport of Bristol, and continues on its journey to the next City of Bath which is now designated as a World Heritage City.

Apparently, there is a rich and diverse abundance of wildlife living within the area.

Alongside the river at one point are located some ‘tea gardens’.

If you ring a bell that is located on one side of the river bank, you can summon a boat and be transported across the river in order to reach the tea rooms that are located on the opposite bank of the River Avon.

You can sit down, relax and have tea or a meal in the tea rooms that were first established in the 1920s!

The whole area is absolutely beautiful, and is only three miles from Bristol city centre.

We have taken some photos to share with you, and they hopefully demonstrate that our cities are still havens for wildlife, and they contain protected areas of outstanding natural beauty.

The leaves on the trees are now rapidly beginning to change colour, and the woodland has a crisp, damp, autumnal feel.

The stone arches in the previous photo of the Viaduct were built in the nineteenth century and they support the former Great Western Railway (or G.W.R ), that was designed by the World famous Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
It was one of the worlds first major railways.

The railway line is still in use today, and serves as a major and very busy link from the South West to London and beyond.

In Bristol, we also have the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge that spans the Avon Gorge, and Temple Meads station that were also designed in the 19th Century by Brunel.

The Clifton suspension Bridge over the River Avon.
Designed and built in the 19th Century by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Growing in the ancient woodland each side of the river near the suspension bridge can be found an extremely rare tree known as the ‘Bristol Hornbeam’. It can only be found growing in this part of Bristol, and has not been found anywhere else.

These photos are of natures ‘gardens’ at their best, and we can all play our part to ensure that they remain for future generations to enjoy.

With best wishes,
Grenville and Alan.
Bristol. U.K

Comments

Spritzhenry

31 Aug, 2008

Who went for a walk in the sunshine? Yes, you are lucky to live in a city but have wildlife on your doorstep! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Weeding

31 Aug, 2008

Good teazles. Teazels?

Clarice

31 Aug, 2008

Thanks for that blog really enjoyed it.

Blodyn

31 Aug, 2008

I always love to see the Clifton suspension bridge. I think it's fantastic.
It's also wonderful that such natural beauty lies a short distance from the centre of a big city.
I enjoyed reading this Grenville, Thanks.
All the best, Hywel.

Mikec

31 Aug, 2008

Great blog Grenville. Thanks for a wonderful tour. You are very fortunate to have all of this so close to you. ENJOY !

Lorrainenagle

1 Sep, 2008

Enjoyed your blog very much, the pictures were really nice and loved the part about ringing the bell to summon a boat to take you to your tea! Thanks Grenville :)

Chrispook

3 Sep, 2008

Must remember this if we visit Bristol. The tea rooms sound great. Did you have a cup of tea there.

Bonkersbon

4 Sep, 2008

Great blog Grenville .Love to see the way beautifully planned architecture can enhance a scene despite being so obviously man made.Hard to imagine the gorge without the suspension bridge - just seems so right. We have the Ribbleshead viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle line which connects two plateaus on the edge of Yorkshire Dales it just blends it is part of the landscape.

David

4 Sep, 2008

Amen, Grenville, what can I say? This is so "right up my street", so-to-speak. Lovely reading, and pics - Thank You again!

Daff

5 Sep, 2008

Are there any campsites in or around there Grenville,
we are great wildlife watcher and encourage it as much as we can.

Gail x

Grenville

5 Sep, 2008

I'm not aware of any campsites close by Gail, but there are several outside the city, and if you are considering a visit you might consider following the Avon trail through Bristol. There are some lovely longboat rides from the city centre to the area near our home and the tour heads on towards the city of Bath. Sadly the weather has been dreadful this year, and we are still having really heavy rain falls this weekend. We have just heard that some areas are in great danger of severe flooding.The river tow path must be a mud bath at the moment.Generally,its a lovely area in spring, summer or autumn.

Lori

16 Sep, 2008

That was wonderfully informative, Grenville... Great photos, Alan! I would love to see Bristol and Bath...and as you say it is a piece of good fortune that you live within walking distance of the Avon Trail. I love English Literature and especially enjoy Jane Austen's novels describing the social aspect of walking that was common in years past. We are so sedentary...(so I say, as I sit at my computer!) but there was a time when walking was 'taking the air'.... and a trip to Bath was "to take the waters"...lol. great blog, I've enjoyed it very much..gave me food for thought!