Explore our waymarked trail through a newly planted woodland in the beautiful Lower Chew Valley
Just 7 miles south of Bristol is Great Avon Wood – a landmark new woodland planted by Avon Need Trees.
It’s a site rich in history. A walk through the 100 acre site will reveal long-held secrets of the valley and hills. Our newly opened walking trail crosses the route of the old North Somerset Railway, passes the ancient Publow Oak, and meets a section of the Wansdyke medieval earthworks.
By visiting today, you will be amongst the first to visit this young woodland as it starts to take shape across the hillsides – now home to 30,000 new trees.
We invite you to follow the 3.5 mile waymarked trail through the ancient, changing landscape. It is possible to visit the site year round, on foot or by public transport.
Follow our waymarker discs around the trail
Great Avon Wood is made up of 3
neighbouring woodlands: Hermitage,
Wansdyke and Hicks Mead Wood.
You can follow the shorter blue trail
through Hermitage or extend your walk
by following the yellow trail up to
Wansdyke and Hicks Mead.
Please be aware that part of the yellow
trail follows a section of public road.
The trail also links with many other public footpaths through the area.
To learn more about the tree species that make up this young woodland, look out for the 8 brass rubbing discs along the length of the blue trail around Hermitage Wood.
How to get here
The trail can be joined by public transport year-round. The nearest stop is the Belluton stop, just 5 minutes’ walk from the start of the route.
The 375, 376 and 172 buses run regularly from Bristol bus station, Temple Meads railway station and down the A37 through Knowle and Whitchurch to Pensford.
For local bus connections in the Chew Valley please look at The Big Lemon Bus ‘Chew Valley Circular’ 99 service which runs regularly past the Belluton stop for the site.
At this time we are only able to offer managed on-site parking at our public events. Please see our events page for details. Parking in the local area is extremely limited so at other times we encourage you to use the regular bus service or connect with the walking routes in the area.
For local amenities and refreshments see the Travellers Rest, the Rising Sun and the George and Dragon, all nearby in Pensford.
Entrance to trail is here
Events at Great Avon Wood
We are thrilled to offer a number of public events at Great Avon Wood throughout the year. From mushroom safaris to solstice celebrations we have something for everyone, check below for all upcoming events.
Leave only footsteps🌱
For the sake of the young woodland and the wildlife at the site, please leave the site as you would like to find it. This is a special site, with lots of history to protect and preserve.
Please keep all dogs on a lead and take away any waste with you. Please do not light any fires or barbecues and take all picnic litter away with you.
A huge thank you
The young trees of Great Avon Wood were planted over three planting seasons between 2023 and 2025. Over 1000 volunteers came together to plant 30,000 new native trees. We, and this maturing woodland, will always be grateful to those who spent their time writing a new chapter for this special place.
We’d also like to thank Forest of Avon, National Lottery Heritage Fund, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, The Woodland Trust and DEFRA for their continuing support.
