Forest bathing at Avon Valley Woodlands

The Avon Valley Woodlands Local Nature Reserve covers about 33 hectares of mature broadleaved woodland, oak woodland, willow scrub and pasture on the slopes above the River Avon at Hanham. The valley has a long working history: a dozen quarries once cut Pennant sandstone here, and there was a coal mine and a spelter works nearby. Today mature trees line the river, herons nest in the trees across the water, and woodpeckers are often heard in the woods.

The council's heritage walks start from a small car park on Abbots Road, near Memorial Road and Whittucks Road, with public toilets on Common Road by Hanham Common. Routes climb over rough ground in places, and the riverside section gets very muddy after rain, so walking boots are a good idea. Spring and summer, after a spell of settled weather, are the best times to come. The Avon River Trail runs along the valley if you want to keep walking.