Address
Conham River Park, Conham Hill, Hanham, Bristol BS15 3AW
Admission
Admission to Conham River Park is free and open 24 hours a day.
About
Conham River Park sits along the River Avon, offering a quiet escape from city life. Popular with walkers, cyclists, and swimmers, it’s a great spot to enjoy nature without straying too far from Bristol. The river path winds through woodlands, past calm water, and leads towards Hanham Lock, where you’ll find Beeses Riverside Bar, a well-loved stop for a drink in the summer months.
For those who enjoy wild swimming, the river here is a known spot for a dip, especially in the warmer seasons. Wildlife is easy to spot—kingfishers, herons, and even otters have been seen along the banks. The mix of open paths and shaded woodland makes it a relaxing place to walk at any time of year.
There are no formal opening or closing times, so you can visit any time. In the summer, the Conham Ferry runs across the river, taking visitors over to Beeses for food and drinks in their garden.
On some days a mobile coffee van (The perky coffee company) is often parked near the main entrance, serving fresh coffee, cakes, and snacks—perfect for a quick break. The park also has a designated BBQ area, making it a great place for a relaxed picnic with friends or family.
Things To Do & See
Riverside Walks Along the Avon
The park runs alongside the River Avon, with woodland-lined paths offering scenic views and a chance to spot local wildlife. The Conham River Path is a popular walking route, leading towards Hanham Lock and connecting to other trails along the river.
Beeses Riverside Bar
A short walk from the park, Beeses is a much-loved riverside bar with outdoor seating, live music, and great food and drinks. Open seasonally, it’s a favourite summer spot where visitors can arrive by foot, bike, or even boat for a relaxed afternoon by the water and dogs are welcome.
Conham Ferry
In the warmer months, a small ferry service runs across the river, offering a fun way to reach Beeses without taking the longer route on foot. The ferry has been part of the area’s history for decades, helping visitors cross the river with ease.
Wild Swimming in the Avon
The calm stretches of the river near Conham are popular for wild swimming, attracting both locals and visitors looking for a refreshing dip. While swimming is at your own risk, it’s a well-known spot during the summer, with gentle banks providing easy access to the water.
Coffee & Refreshments
A mobile coffee van is often parked near the entrance, serving fresh coffee, cakes, and snacks. It’s a great place to grab a drink before or after exploring the trails.
Picnic and BBQ Area
The park has a designated BBQ area, making it a great spot for families and friends to enjoy an outdoor meal. There are also plenty of grassy areas perfect for picnics, with scenic views of the river and surrounding woodland.
Spotting Local Wildlife
The combination of woodland, water, and open spaces makes Conham River Park an excellent place for wildlife spotting. Visitors often see kingfishers, herons, swans, and sometimes even otters along the riverbanks. The park’s quieter areas are also home to a variety of birds and small mammals.
Parking
The small car park at Conham Vale (BS15 3AW) is free, but it fills up quickly on weekends and public holidays. There’s some roadside parking nearby, but it’s worth checking restrictions before leaving your car.
History
Once a hub of industry and transport, Conham River Park was shaped by quarrying, copper smelting, and nearby coal mining. Though now a peaceful retreat, remnants of this past remain scattered throughout the landscape.
Industrial Heritage
During the 18th and 19th centuries, several Pennant sandstone and limestone quarries operated in the area, providing materials for Bristol’s expanding cityscape. A powder house, used to store explosives for quarrying, still stands near Hencliff Wood.
While Conham itself had no coal mines, nearby Hanham Colliery played a key role in the local coal industry. Barges transported coal, stone, and metals along the River Avon, supplying Bristol’s industries. The area was also home to copper smelting, with the remains of thick stone smelter walls still visible near the park. Another historic structure, Conham Hall, stood nearby until its demolition in 1971, though parts of its boundary wall remain.
From Industry to Recreation
As industry declined in the 20th century, Conham became a place for leisure. The Conham Ferry, still operating seasonally, once transported visitors across the river to enjoy the Victorian tea gardens at Beeses, established in 1846.
Today, Conham River Park is a haven for walking, wildlife spotting, and outdoor activities. Its trails reveal old quarries, industrial ruins, and hidden remnants of its working past, blending history with nature along the banks of the River Avon.
Map
Related Pages
The Perky Coffee Company
Beeses
Parks & Estates Nearby
Ashton Court Estate (5.9 miles),Kings Weston Estate (9.4 miles), Blaise Castle Estate (10.5 miles)