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.
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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. There is a cafe with toilets, indoor and outdoor seating areas and golf hire, and an adjoining bike hire run by Pedal Progression, who also offer off-road skills tutoring. 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.
