Sandwiched in between Coombe Dingle and Henbury in the distant North West of Bristol, lies 650 acres of romantic greenery in the form of Blaise Castle Estate. Blaise Castle itself is little more than a glorified turret, built originally as a gothic summerhouse by a wealthy Bristol merchant on the site of St. Blaise’s Chapel (which is where the area takes it name), but the surrounding estate is a lush, green canyon, bustling with walkways that wind between impressive trees and over bubbling brooks. The monument was built in the 18th Century along with Blaise Castle House and the grounds were soon after landscaped into what is now an impressive estate which is enjoyed by thousands of Bristolians every year.

The estate is so popular to visit because the monuments and forest are steeped in history and folklore and the scene is regarded as one of the most magical and romantic landscapes in the Westcountry; even Jane Austen name checks Blaise Castle Estate in her novel Northanger Abbey, calling it “the finest place in England”. Praise indeed!

The dense woodland that we have today is a perfect day out for explorers and urbanites alike: for those just seeking some fresh air, there is a pleasant paved walkway winding through the woods dotted with benches and view points that is more than suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. For those with a bit more fire (or dare I say, blaze (ha!)) in their belly, throughout the estate is a dense web of dirt tracks that wind their way along with the paved walkway but also dart off across streams and up and down very steep inclines on their way between Blaise Castle, Blaise House and off towards Westbury-on-Trym; these tracks are more than suitable for strolling, more interesting dog walking and some semi-challenging mountainbiking. Hidden amongst the forest are some interesting landmarks worth visiting only accessible by these tracks including Lover’s Leap, Goram’s Chair, Robber’s Cave and look out for the fairytale, chocolate box cottages scattered along the paths.

Be you get there by way of paved or pebbled path, always make sure you aim up and up, always for Blaise Castle, for once you get there, although the castle itself is a bit of an anticlimax, a quick spin on the heels reveals a stunning view. The estate is based around a large cavernous limestone gorge and at Blaise Castle you are at the very top, far end and are treated to a real treat of a view below. The picture is framed by the vertical sheets of exposed cliff either side of the scene and between is the rugged woodland you have just laboured through, intertwined with delicate streams shooting off Hazel Brook. Slowly raise your eyes and in the far distance you can just make out the rooftops of Coombe Dingle. Best they be there or in Blaise Castle Estate you could completely forget yourself and even what decade you were in.

Matt Whittle