Woodlands Park, Gloucestershire

Residential Park (find out more here)

Description

Situated near Almondsbury in Bristol, Woodlands is a slice of peace and paradise perfect for a relaxing pace of life. It's also near enough to local amenities that sourcing food and groceries are never a problem. With several supermarkets in the surrounding area, a local high street and regular buses to Bristol and other areas, you are always well-connected at Woodlands. Cribbs Causeway, a modern shopping and entertainment complex, boasts a wealth of options for shopping and eating out, and is just a short trip away using the car or bus.For semi-retired residents who need to come and go often, Woodlands' location is a huge advantage. Less than a mile from Bristol Parkway rail station, and with the intersection of the M4 and M5 motorways nearby, you are never far from the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of Woodlands, no matter how you choose to travel.

However, Woodlands' selling point really is its proximity to a wealth of natural beauty and historical landmarks; surrounded on all sides by ancient towns and stunning scenery, there is so much to do in this area. We will try to cover just some of it for you here.

Bristol

The park is served by regular buses and good motorway access to the ancient country settlement of Bristol, a city steeped in history, with Georgian streets, Gothic masterpieces and castles aplenty, but which also boasts newer attractions such as the Cabot Circus shopping centre, an aquarium and science centre. Take the short journey from Woodlands by bus or by car to discover just how much Bristol has to offer.

Roam the aisles of the covered St. Nicholas Market, where every day you will find traditional stalls such as florists, food outlets, and textile sellers. There are different specialist markets throughout the week ranging from farmer's markets, to arts and crafts, to a flea market on Saturdays. Bristol has a booming independent scene and St. Nicholas is just one of the markets the city has to offer. Others include the Harbourside Market, Whiteladies Road Market, Tobacco Factory Market, Temple Quay Market and Finzels Reach Market, each open on different days and boasting various specialities, from local produce to creative offerings.

History fans will relish in the range of buildings and museums that Bristol has to offer, from the Norman castle in Castle Park, to Thornbury Castle and the Red Lodge Museum, showcasing Bristol's Tudor era. Bristol's maritime history as a major trading port is also visible in the M Shed Museum and the SS Great Britain - one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's most famous works. Bristol holds Brunel dear, as he did so much for the city, linking it to London through the Great Western Railway and opening shipping routes between Bristol and New York City. There is a museum dedicated to his works, where many of his drawings and possessions are now kept, and his world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge is also a stone's throw from the city centre - it's definitely worth a visit!

Bath

If you fancy venturing a little further for a day trip, the equally historic city of Bath is just 40 minutes away by car. A Roman city now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is so much to do in this picturesque town, from shopping in the modern shopping quarters, to marvelling at the iconic architecture of The Circus, to celebrating British literature at the Jane Austen Centre. Or you could follow in the footsteps of centuries' worth of tourists and bathe in the hot springs - this is what the city is most famous for, after all! There have been Roman baths here since AD43, and the city is home to the UK's only naturally occurring hot springs. Wandering the streets of the nearby village of Lacock will transport you back to Medieval times, and the stunning Abbey is a must-see attraction.

Coastal Somerset

If you prefer to spend your leisure time roaming the promenades and taking in the fresh sea air, then, great news - a short hop along the motorway and you will find the seaside resorts of Portishead, Clevedon, and Weston-Super-Mare; North Somerset's gems with miles of breath-taking coastline between them. Cyclists and walkers will find plenty to explore here, with designated paths and trails throughout the region linking the various towns. Take in the Grade 1 listed pier at Clevedon or spend a relaxing afternoon on the boating lake at Portishead. And, of course, don't forget to stop for fish and chips afterwards!

Cotswolds

Heading east of the park will lead to the Cotswolds, a treasure trove of market towns, palaces, castles and country houses - many built using the signature honey-coloured stone that gives the region its unique identity. The rolling hills have inspired writers and poets for centuries, some of whom are Britain's most renowned authors: J.R.R. Tolkien, Jane Austen, J.M. Barrie, Beatrix Potter, among many others. Why not discover for yourself the region that resounded with such an array of prolific artists? The Cotswolds is ideal to tour by car, stopping at the endless villages and market towns encircled by breathtakingly rolling hills, and of course the dozens of traditional country pubs deserve a mention! The larger towns of Gloucester and Cheltenham are home to many of the more modern amenities, but still retain their historic charm.

Berkeley Castle

Berkeley Castle, a stunning building from 1154 which has featured in more TV dramas than we care to count, is only a few miles from Woodlands and is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds. Framed by the green fields of Berkeley Vale, the castle is stunningly beautiful and well worth a visit in summer. Here, you can take a stroll in the Gardens, visit the Butterfly House, marvel at the portraits of monarchs from centuries past, admire centuries of history and art adorning the walls of the castle, or take in the battle scars of the Civil War, when the castle's wall was breached. The castle also holds many Medieval-themed events throughout the summer, including a jester's competition and archery shows.

Avon Valley Railway

Railway fans - or those who would just like a taste of train travel from days gone by - will love the Avon Valley Railway. The organisation holds a huge variety of events on their steam trains, including dining services where you can enjoy fresh local produce prepared by onboard chefs, High Tea train rides, lunchtime fish and chip services, murder mystery trains, and 1940s-themed events. There is even the opportunity to embrace a childhood dream and drive a steam locomotive! So why not take a trip through time and relax in your seat while watching the glorious scenery of the Avon Valley glide past the window? The departure point at Bitton is approximately 30 minutes away from Woodlands by car.

Wye Valley

Just across the Severn Estuary, and into neighbouring Wales, lies the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An idyllic region with rolling green hills, this area plays host to natural attractions just as well as it does man-made ones. Chepstow Castle and Caldicot Castle are some of the closest to Woodlands but venturing further into the valley you will find Tintern Abbey, Parva Farm vineyard with a picnic area, hedge mazes, an independent bookshop and countless stunning walking routes. This region is the perfect spot for a day trip or longer. Chepstow is served by bus from Cribbs Causeway, taking around 30 minutes, or in the car it would take around twenty minutes from Woodlands.

Why choose Woodlands Park?

With a huge variety of on-site activities and facilities, Woodlands really is the premier park in the area. Residents here can enjoy the range of activities taking place in the park itself, including a resident-run licensed club, bingo every day, coffee mornings, line dancing classes among others. A mobile library even visits on a regular basis for the avid readers!

This is a great spot for sport lovers with a nearby tennis club, football, sports centre and other amenities in the nearby Almondsbury area: there is plenty to keep you fit and entertained! And this isn't just our opinion - there are many residents who've called Woodlands their home for twenty years and even longer.

Address

Woodlands Park
Almondsbury
Bristol
Gloucestershire
BS32 4AS