Bristol Harbourside & ‘Runseeing’ Tour

This route hits all the Bristol highlights. There are two options: the classic Bristol 3.5 mile Harbourside loop, and an add-on of up to 3 miles that includes Castle Park, Brandon Hill, and other central Bristol sites.

Harbourside Loop. This is a scenic, flat loop around Bristol’s marina, following dedicated paths along the Feeder Canal. Start in historic Queen Square, cross the pedestrian Pero’s Bridge to Millennium Square, and run west along the north side of the canal. You’ll pass the Lloyds Amphitheatre event space, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and Underfall Yard. At 1.6 miles, take the swinging bridge to Spike Island, and run along the northside River Avon path, past Wapping Wharf and the M Shed museum, to the start.

Castle Park & Brandon Hill Add-On. This adds ~3 miles if you decide to do both. From Queen’s Square, take Welsh Back north for 0.2 miles to the grassy Castle Park, where the ~0.8 mile loop will pass a ruined church and castle, a sensory herb garden and Normandy Landings memorial. Exit the park onto Broad St., heading north onto Christmas St. getting the heart rate up on the famous Christmas Steps. Continue onto Park Row — one of Bristol’s main commercial streets, with lots of nice old stone buildings — to Berkeley Square. This leads to Brandon Hill Park, where you’ll run on paths climbing nearly 200 feet to the Cabot Tower, a neo-gothic landmark with sweeping views. Exit the south side of the park into Brandon Steep, heading south through the area of the iconic Bristol Library and the 1100s-era Bristol Cathedral. Cross Anchor St. passing the Bristol Aquarium, taking Pero’s Bridge back to the start.

More Add-Ons: Additional Paths west along the River Avon, which also connect to several of our other Bristol routes.