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Head out to the suburbs, where the city meets country parks, green spaces and rural idylls

ARNOS VALE

Arnos Vale is home to the Original Bristol Blue Glass Factory and Shop, a thriving creative enterprise which continues the city’s long tradition for glassmaking in striking blue. See glassblowing demos in the studio workshop or blow your own bauble.

Directly opposite, Arnos Vale Cemetery has been the final resting place for some of Bristol’s most notable citizens since opening in 1837. This arcadian garden cemetery has a Green Flag award for its mix of wildlife and urban woodland and offers leisurely walks among ornate Victorian tombs and picturesque landscaping, plus regular events, a self-guided Discovery Trail and café.

Nearby Paintworks is home to the Martin Parr Foundation’s gallery and the Royal Photographic Society’s Bristol HQ – a pair of complementary visitor centres presenting talks and exhibitions dedicated to the art of photography. Hang out in neighbouring Bocabar for casual dining, cocktails, DJs and live music.

BLAISE

Blaise Castle House Museum and Estate is a 19th-century mansion set in 400 acres of parkland and is home to the city’s social history collection. Collect a key from Blaise Castle to access Kings Weston Roman Villa. Blaise Hamlet is a group of nine 19th-century cottages centred around a ‘village’ green complete with its own pump. Originally built for the estate’s servants, the hamlet was given to the National Trust in 1943. The picture-perfect cottages feature tall brick chimneys and decorative thatch.

FISHPONDS & FROME VALLEY

Fishponds Road is a thriving suburban high street popular with locals and a great place to join the cycle path that runs between Bristol and Bath. Nearby Oldbury Court’s beautiful estate combines woodland and riverside paths with historic parkland and children’s play areas. Beyond the parkland, follow the path down to the River Frome, where trails lead towards Frenchay and its Village Museum or, in the other direction, to Snuff Mills. Look out for wildlife: this is a great place to spot kingfishers, herons, foxes, owls, bats and even deer.

ST MARKS ROAD

Get a flavour of real Bristol life on a visit to this small but thriving street in Easton. St Marks Road has won the Academy of Urbanism’s Great Street Award thanks to its tight-knit community spirit and diversity. Here’s where church and mosque rub shoulders with local restaurants, cafés and independent shops (including the legendary Bristol Sweet Mart, The Garden of Easton and East Bristol Bakery). The street is also home to Thali Café, renowned for authentic South Indian food and a novel tiffin takeaway scheme. Get there by train, alighting at Stapleton Road station, or hop on a bike (Easton is a stop-off on the Bristol to Bath Railway Path).

Clockwise from top: The Folly at Blaise Castle, Arnos Vale Cemetery and dog walking at Oldbury Court.