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1SW BIKE TRAILS

North Somerset

Ashton Court Estate and Leigh Woods sit in North Somerset, close to Bristol.

We have built two trails at this trail hub. Maps for both trails can be seen by clicking on the Trail Map link to the right.

Avanti Bicycles – Powering Bristol’s Trails

Avanti bicycles have been a leading brand in New Zealand for 25 years. Paligap are one of the leading bicycle and accessory distributors in the UK. As well as being the UK distributor for Avanti bicycles they have a portfolio of over 20 brands which range from lights and commuting products to state of the art training equipment for the professional. To view more of Paligap’s brands including Ritchey, Saris, CycleOps and Stan’s No Tubes visit http://www.paligap.cc/.

Ashton Court Estate

The first is based on a pre-existing trail at the historic Ashton Court. Feedback from riders has been very good, and the trail is catering for a wide range of abilities. The Nova Trail is graded blue (moderate) and gives a great flowing ride. In places the trail splits to provide blue (moderate) and red (difficult) graded options. There is also a longer optional Super Nova Trail that is graded red (difficult), branching off from the Nova Trail, that will challenge more experienced riders. You can find out more about trail grading to find a trail that suits you.

Car parking is limited, so for the sake of the environment we’d strongly recommend that you cycle to the site – visit the Better by Bike website for details of cycling in and around Bristol.

If you are arriving by car, please use the Church Lodge car park (access via Ashton Road situated on the B3128 – by the Dovecote pub) and ride up through the estate to the trail.

A new golf and cycle centre has been specially designed to welcome cyclists. The cafe with toilets, indoor and outdoor seating areas and golf hire is open as of July 2012 and bike hire will follow shortly. Find out more on the Bristol City Council website.

Ashton Court Estate is owned and managed by Bristol City Council .

Discover more about Ashton Court Estate and the wide range of other activities on offer.

Leigh Woods

The Yer Tiz Trail in neighbouring Leigh Woods is a ‘moderate’ Blue grade narrow and engaging trail weaving its way through the woodland. The trail features berms (banked corners), rollers (bumps) and drops and climbs, requiring a mountain bike but suitable for relative novices to off-road cycling. Expect to meet other people enjoying the woods, including walkers, dog walkers and children.

In places the trail splits for a short distance, giving an option of a more difficult challenge in the form of the ‘difficult’ Red grade Gert Lush Trail. Narrow and technical, it is only suitable for experienced off-road cyclists. A great ‘taster’ of a Red grade trail.

The Keener Skills Loop is graded ‘moderate’ Blue along its main route and includes features such as small drops, rock gardens and rollers to progress your riding ability. Along the loop you can divert onto more difficult features once you are confident. Develop your riding by building up to riding new features once you are ready.

You can find out more about trail grading to find a trail that suits you.

Leigh Woods is owned by the Forestry Commission and the National Trust. Facilities on site are limited, but you can find out more about the site from those organisation’s websites.

How to get there:

  • By bike – Bristol has a great cycle network and there are links to both Ashton Court and Leigh Woods. Visit Better by Bike for details of cycling in and around Bristol.
  • By public transport – visit Bristol City Council’s TravelBristol website.
  • By car – both Ashton Court and Leigh Woods can be accessed from the A369 Abbots Leigh Road, 15 mins from Junction 19 of the M5.
  • FACILITIES
  • KEY TO TRAILS
  • Reviews

Ashton Court Estate

  • Golf & Cycle Centre, featuring cafe, toilets and golf hire
  • Cycle hire coming soon
  • Baby changing facilities (access via the stables courtyard)
  • Cafe at main house
  • Disabled access information
  • Free public wi-fi - wireless internet (access available from the stables courtyard and formal gardens)
  • Golf public facilities
  • Visitor centre and gift shop
  • Woodland garden, picnic area and natural play area
  • Car parking (though limited at busy periods)
As well as a host of events and activities. For up-to-date opening times and further details visit www.ashtoncourtestate.com.

Leigh Woods

  • Cycle trails
  • Walking trails
  • Car park
  • Picnic area
For further details visit the Forestry Commission webpages.

Nova Trail

Blue Grade (Moderate), 6.6km (4 miles)

Super Nova Trail

Red Grade (Difficult), 860m (940 yd)

Yer Tiz Trail

Blue Grade (Moderate), 3.5km (2 miles)

Gert Lush Trail

Red Grade (Difficult), two loops of 100m (100 yd)

Keener Skills Loop

Main route is Blue Grade (Moderate), 525m (575 yd) with more difficult options.
  • "I rode Ashton Court and Leigh Woods... great fun. A quite different MTB experience and a valuable asset to Bristol." Dave, via e-mail.
  • "Rode it (Leigh Woods) today! It's absolutely awesome!!! Put a huge grin on my face" Dan, via Facebook.
  • "I like these kind of trails... they stand up really well and whilst suitable for kids they are a challenge to ride fast and smooth" William via Facebook, re: Leigh Woods.
  • "It's absolutely brilliant to have such a great biking resource so close to the city centre" Matt Bridges, Sustrans.
  • "Here's my five-year-old son enjoying the newly opened Leigh Woods Trail... He loves it. He calls it 'Dragon Rock Wood'. It's very accessible to a range of abilities... but we also get lots of encouragement from more serious-looking riders. Every city could do with a Leigh Woods to make mountain biking accessible to all, getting people active and out and about together!" Jimmy Cleeton, in a letter to MBR Magazine.
  • "Been out with a group of kids from tough backgrounds today and it was spot on for them and great to have a bit less washing of bikes to do at the end of sessions!" Phil, via e-mail.
  • "...built really well well so there's heaps of fun to be had... and no shortage of nice little drop offs and skills sections" Review of Leigh Woods in Shred Magazine, Issue 58.
  • "Ashton Court is the epitome of urban escape" Review in MBR Magazine, March 2012.
  • Ashton Court & Leigh Woods featured as one of 'Britain's Best Bike Rides' by the Guardian Online, May 2012.

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