
Where to go · Bristol
Forest bathing at Nightingale Valley and St Anne’s Wood
A small wooded valley along Brislington Brook in south-east Bristol, with an old holy well in the trees.
Nightingale Valley is a small wooded valley in Brislington that follows Brislington Brook north towards the River Avon, where it becomes St Anne's Wood. The wood was once the site of a chapel, demolished after the dissolution of the monasteries, and St Anne's Holy Well, which served it, is still there. It is a modest place, but it feels well away from the city once you are down by the water.
The usual way in is through the gate on the green at Hill Lawn and Allison Road, then along the brook. The path is fairly easy at first but has steps and patches of rough, uneven ground further on, and it gets muddy after wet weather, so wellies or boots help. Spring brings wildflowers and autumn brings fungi, and woodland birds are around all year. There are no facilities, and parking is on nearby streets.
Practical
- Parking
- On-street parking nearby
- Terrain
- Brookside path with steps and uneven patches; muddy after rain
- Nearest station
- Bristol Temple Meads, about 2 miles
- Facilities
- None
- Opening and entry
- Free; open at all times
- Official page
- group.rspb.org.uk
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides nearby
Three guides within 15 miles of Nightingale Valley and St Anne’s Wood
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Tris Rodriguez
Trees & Tranquility Forest Therapy
Bristol
UnclaimedTrained by Light Box
Private and one-to-onePublic group sessionsReferral and social prescribing
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Ava Maginnis
Greenleaf Therapy
Bristol
UnclaimedTrained by Light Box
Corporate and team daysPrivate and one-to-onePublic group sessions
More woodlands in Bristol
All venues in Bristol
Badock’s WoodOld woodland and meadow along the River Trym, with level, step-free paths
Blaise Castle EstateHistoric parkland and a wooded valley with a castle folly, in north Bristol
Kings Weston EstateAncient Penpole Wood and veteran avenue trees around a historic housePhotos: Badock’s Wood, Derek Harper (CC BY-SA 2.0); Blaise Castle Estate, Lukeas09 (talk) (CC BY-SA 3.0); Kings Weston Estate, Derek Harper (CC BY-SA 2.0).