The Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve is situated within the beautiful setting of the River Avon near Hanham.  The Reserve comprises several small woodlands owned by South Gloucestershire Council which include Conham River Park, Hencliff Wood and Bickley Wood.  These woodlands are an important part of the Forest of Avon and are consequently being improved and managed under the Woodland Grant Scheme.  This includes improving public access through a network of paths including the River Avon Trail.  The woods are home to a wide variety of wildlife and are an ideal location for people of all abilities to enjoy getting closer to nature. Kingfishers are often spotted flying across the river.

As you walk through the woods you will quickly discover some clues to the site's past. Much of the area was quarried, with twelve small quarries operating between Conham River Park and Hanham Mills.  The slightly acidic spoil heap has now been vegetated with acid-loving plants including gorse, providing an interesting variation in plantlife within the reserve.  There are a number of derelict buildings within the site, including a powder house at the bottom of Hencliff Wood, which housed the dynamite for the quarries and nearby railway. The thick walls of the old smelter works near Conham River Park are still standing, along with the boundary wall of Conham Hall which was demolished in 1971

Access

A 750 metre stone surface path - with oak seats along its way, has been created to allow people to walk, cycle or ride along the historic towpath between the car park and the ferry crossing at Beeses Tea Gardens.  This part of the River Avon Trail is wide and level - suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Other paths in the woodlands are unsurfaced and mostly steep. Picnic benches and accessible parking bays and toilets are available in the free car park at Conham Hill.

Getting There

The River Avon Trail provides easy and pleasant access to the reserve on foot or by bike from the centre of Bristol.  Bus services along Memorial road provide stops only five minutes walk from the woodlands.  Free car parks are available at Castle Farm Road (ST 640 707) for walks around Bickley Wood and Hencliff Wood, or at Conham River Park (ST 629 172) for walks around Conham and the Panorama Walk. Both sites are signposted from Memorial Road.

If possible, please try to use environmentally friendly forms of transport wherever possible.  The site can be easily accessed via a number of public footpaths as well as by bicycle.  Click here to view the Sustrans website showing a map of the National Cycle Network around Avon Valley Woodlands.

Get Involved

The Wild Roots officer is working with the local community to develop new projects for the site. If you would like to get involved please contact John Morris on 01454 863 581.  Events and activities are listed on South Gloucestershire Council's 'What's On' webpage.

Leaflet & Map

A leaflet on the Avon Valley Woodlands and a booklet on the River Avon Trail are available from the Forest of Avon.  A bat audio guide to assist people (including those who are visually impaired) to visit the site at dusk and discover the magic of bat detecting is also available from local libraries.

The Countryside Code

Please follow the The Countryside Code when visiting the site and help respect, protect and enjoy our countryside and public open space. 

For more detailed information...

The Avon Valley Woodlands page at www.southglos.gov.uk
The Avon Valley Woodlands page at www.english-nature.co.uk