Briham two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 80.00% of reviewers

Walked from Hambrook to Bristol as the second half of a longer walk staring at Yate. Mostly very enjoyable, though the upper part of the Frome Valley path is unsurfaced, a little rough in places and could be muddy and slippery when wet, so not suitable for wheels.

We leave Hambrook east down the hill and under the M4, then take the right turn by the pub (this is an easier route than the field path used in HAMYAT two). We follow the road to its end by the bridge over the river Frome, then follow the Frome Valley Way under the M4 and the A417 to a T junction where we turn right into a small housing estate. We then follow Cleeve Road back down to the river and take the lower path which starts down steps and crosses the fields to Frenchay. We follow the road left to a bridge where we cross the river, and follow the Frome Valley Way again. This is the roughest part of the walk, on an unsurfaced path with tree roots and a few rocks. Eventually we reach a wider track and all difficulties end.

The rest of the walk down the Frome Valley is pretty and very popular. The route crosses the river a few times with short road sections, eventually passing through a park to reach Stapleton Road underneath the M32 motorway. We go right here, then left down Glenfrome Road to reach Muller Road, where there is a pelican crossing. More pelican crossings take us over the roundabout and back under the motorway. We follow Stapleton Road up the hill then use the cycle track which continues under and alongside the motorway for some distance into Riverside Park, where we take the right hand path then return to the river and follow Wellington Road, then the paved path to Champion Square.

More pelican crossings take us over Bond Street South. From here it is easiest to stay on the pavements of Castlemead, Broadway and Newgate and cross at the Union Street lights where we turn right and follow more pavements into the city centre. More pelican crossings take us to St James's Park, then past the church to the meeting point at the bus station (which is fine for those continuing by bus but rather uninspiring and lacking in seats (and quite a long walk from Temple Meads) - I don't know Bristol well but I am sure better places are available.

Overall an enjoyable and varied walk, only the road noise prevented me giving it 5 stars.

Once the M32 was left behind it was nice to follow the River Frome most of the route and a kingfisher and dragonflies were spotted.

This route is not suitable for wheelchairs in several places:
Eastville Park - there is a drain gully and I and another passerby had to carry a lady in a motorised wheelchair over the gully
Past Snuff Mills the tarmac path stops and the path becomes harder to walk and care needs to be taken not to slip on the steps
Exiting Frenchay More there is a high stile to get over

Most of the off-road route is populated with dog walkers etc however there are a few wooded stretches by the river which are quite quiet and so it would be preferable to walk these with company rather than on your own.

I would walk part of this route again as far as Snuff Mills where the tarmac path stops and it gets much quieter.

Quirky urban route at first then delightful Frome valley.

A walk of contrasting city and countryside along the river Frome.

A more direct route which follows the Frome Valley Walkway.

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