The Dings, described by plaques at each end of the streets as:…read more "The Dings - Our Village in the City" Seems to live up to that description. The road itself isn't a direct through road so you don't get much traffic coming through, and although it backs onto the trainline you don't get much noise as trees and a bank block the track and the road. The Park itself is very small, but has a good selection of rides for young children, and a brillinat enclosed basketball court that is kept in fantastic condition. It's good to see an enclosed court like this for free public use, it doesn't seem to happen very often. It's great to walk past and see so many people taking advantage of it. Not worth a trip if you live far away, but if your walking distance worth having a little look.

Very near to where I live this is a very small park, but it offers some brilliant facillities to…read morekeep children both young and old amused. There is a playing area with climbing frames, slides, those funky animals on those massive industrial springs. The floor is soft so can protect against any awkward landings. There is also an enclosed Basketball court that is in imaculate condition, and could probably be used more often than it does. There is a small grass area that has served as a place to put up some marquees for Ding's village meet ups and activities. The size does limit it though, the boys don't really have any space to play football, and it is not big enough to jog around, you could probably cover the whole area in 1 minute.

A small but very pretty woodland which runs alongside the River Frome on the opposite side of Snuff…read moreMills. You enter by a public footpath sign off Broomhill Road just 200 metres from River View road (which is the road that leads to Snuff Mils car park). It is a rough path through the woods - at points very rough on the lower path which is my favourite - running along the river but it is unpassable and you can't go the entire length of the river here. There is a wider path higher up for those less sure on foot. Both paths will lead you up to Laundry Field where you can also turn off and head on a challenging rough path back down to the narrow bridge that crosses the River Frome. I really like this when Snuff Mills is packed with Sunday walkers - you are pretty unlikely to meet anyone else here and my dog can climb the banks sniffing for squirrels with gay abandon. Currently there is a large dispute with owner Mr Jafari and what he can do with the land. The area holds a lot of wildlife including badgers and otters so it is a passionate debate. Read the local Action Group's blog for updates http://snuffmills.blogspot.com

A square of green, surrounded by terraces on all sides, St. Andrews Park is probably deserving of…read morethe 'green oasis' cliché. Big old conker trees at the top of the hill make lovely shade for reading. As you go further down, there's a bit more open space usually where people play football. As the land isn't flat here it's not perfect for sports, although I have enjoyed a few afternoons of Frisbee here. There's a kids park, which doesn't usually have glowering teenagers sitting on the swings, always a plus. They've also got a bowls green (so a lied, there is at least one small patch of perfectly flat land) tucked away for your granddad. Since its surrounded by housing it's unsurprising how popular it gets when the sun comes out. On a fine day in July or August it can be a challenge to find enough space to set your picnic and you can certainly forget about being able to play Frisbee. I don't blame the people for coming, this park offers a little lung for the surrounding area.

St Andrews park is great, it's a luscious green haven just a short walk from the hustle and bustle…read moreof Gloucester road. The park has lots of green grassy space, and trees to offer shade from the sun. The kids play area is at the top of the hill and hosts your usual park utensils, it also has a paddling pool which is open during the summer. This park offers something for everyone, it has a really chilled feel and during the warm weather has a real festival vibe. With groups of people having BBQs and enjoying a few beers in the sun. There's a small catering can that offers drinks and nibbly treats! The toilets are the only downside to this place, they are a little worse for wear and could do with a bit of TLC. I love this park and would definitely recommend you pay a visit!

If you're in town and you want somewhere pleasant to get away from Broadmead, this is the spot for…read moreyou. Indeed, the thing I most associate this place with is grabbing a lunch time bite with some colleagues when I worked nearby. Due to its location it's not exactly a communal spot, and the layout, with lots of hills, flowerbeds and trees, means that unlike College Green, frisbee and footie games are unlikely to break out. It's a pleasant place though and big enough for you to grab a spot of your own, possibly with a view of the river.

Castle Park, a great place to escape from the hustle and bussle of broadmead. I found this delight…read moreafter getting bogged down in the christmas shopping mayhem, I was after a slice of tranquility then... bam! ... I arrived in castle park, the snow had settled and all was peaceful. Soon my eye was caught by a monuement standing out on the carpet of green and white (from the snow!), there stood this beautiful old derilict church, around the back of the church my eye was caught with a row of trees side by side, leading me down to a fountain at the end. I was sold, took a couple of snaps (see 'Snow hit' photo I uploaded) and Voilá!, my grandparents christmas present had been solved with a few clicks of my camera! Perfect in summer or winter, with the river so close on one side and shops on the other, it's like a link between relaxation and retail therapy.

This is by far my favourite park in Bristol. It's got everything you'd want in a park…read more.. Massive open green spaces perfect for football, frisbee, cricket and any other park game. A huge playground suitable for children of all ages. A hut that sells tea/coffee/ice cream and bacon baps. Beautiful meadows that are buzzing with wildlife. The river Frome runs through it and throughout the different seasons a walk along that river offers an array of different colours, wildlife and scenery. I also love the fact you can start in Eastville park and follow the Frome Valley walkway right through Snuff Mills, Oldbury Court, Frenchay, Winterbourne and beyond. If you live in Bristol and haven't visited this park then get on it, you won't be disappointed.

There is a big rolling walkway of green stretching from Eastville to right out under the ringroad…read moreat Hambrook, if you know where the paths are. Some of it is part of Oldbury Court, which is how you will see part of this park on the Google map. Part of that group is Vassell's Park (which used to be called Vassell's Family Estate). It must have been an arboretum at one point as it has a fantastic collection of trees so it looks stunning all year round. Largely split into four fields you have the main entrance and car park on Vassall Park Road (note how the spelling is different!) and a sports field to the left with a very good enclosed childrens' playground, and a larger green space on the right with a concrete path. Most dog walkers during summer and weekends stick to the right side as the left side has footie and cricket. Other times it is a free for all as it is only dog walkers and joggers who come to the park in winter and early mornings! Then there are two fields at the back which are just big green spaces, again only dog walkers and runners seem to get that far into the park. You can also gain entrance to the park at the bottom of the right-hand field near the back fields - at Goffenton Drive - but there is only one car space! And there is a way in by the allotments past Glaisdale Road at the back of the left-hand field. No parking available here. There is a constant coffee truck near the car park all year and an ice cream truck whenever children are likely to be about. There is a limited amount of waste bins in the hope that everyone will take their rubbish home - unfortunately they don't and during summertime I become volunteer litter picker when I walk my dog. It does get filthy when the weather is hot and the picnics come out. Annoying and dangerous for my dog. The park does have numerous dog poo bins and the dog walkers here are very clean - I rarely see any left about in the park. I should say if you don't like dogs then don't come here - even at 6am on a wintery day I will see 5 other dogs, on a Saturday afternoon in summer we're talking 30+. The park connects down to Snuff Mills and the river Frome at various points. The easiest option is to follow the concrete walking path all the way through the back fields and then when you reach the third entrance and car park at Frenchay Road turn back on yourself and go down the steps. Personally I like careering with my dog down through the the woods! Of course Snuff Mills can connect you to Eastville Park and to the Purdown Estate for more green space by just crossing a road. If you want to go on to Downend the woodland path continues opposite the car park but be careful as the path has eroded quite badly and is slippery on a slope. You can also take a short walk through the quiet Frenchay streets and keep going on the Frome Valley Walkway.

Hengrove Leisure Park is a pretty depressing place. It's basically a large car park with the usual…read more'attractions': multiplex, bingo hall, McDonald's, Frankie and Benny's, etc. However, sitting just behind it is this fantastic playground. Honestly, they didn't take make them like this when I was a kid. It's got some great attractions. The main one is a spider's web-esque climbing frame which is made of rope and branches out to at least 30 feet high. Once you've negotiated the maze of ladders and webs to the centre (yes, I did have several goes), you can slide back down to the bottom. There's also a series of rocks which fire water at you as you run down and a large hamster-style wheel which you seriously don't want to go on if you're an adult (trust me - I fell over). A great place to take the kids to burn off some calories while you sit in the cafe if you've just been to the cinema next door.

A surprisingly amazing playground in a pretty rough and ready place. If you don't know the area,…read moreyou may well not realise its there, but it's well worth a bit of a explore if you have any children who want to let off some steam. It gets very busy when the sun shines but there is plenty of grassy areas to set up a picnic and watch the world go buy. The local council has kept the area neat and tidy, and most importantly there is no glass or other dangerous materials to be found. Thankfully too, Bristol's underage boozers seemingly haven't discovered it yet. If no-one is around, hop on yourself. It's a fantastic way to keep fit and faaar more fun than the gym!!

Arnos Court Park is a refreshing expanse of greenery in a part of Bristol which is otherwise…read moredepressingly grey and industrial. Sandwiched between Knowle and Brislington, it is a dog walking hotspot for inhabitants of both communities and also a meeting point for local youth. The park has a small play area which is currently being renovated and which is popular during the summer months. Situated on a large slope, Arnos Court Park is brilliant for sledging in the winter. Our recent dump of snow transformed the park into a winter wonderland for the locals and the children were in their element, sledging from dusk until dawn. In the summer, people tend to picnic on top of the hill and admire the attractive view. Unfortunately, the park does have its downside. Like many parks, ongoing problems with crime mean that the grounds are not always safe, and there have been a number of attacks on people walking through the park at night. Needless to say, it wouldn't be the best idea to take a midnight stroll in Arnos Court Park. Daylight wandering only...

How lucky are we to have a handful of expansive and beautiful Victorian parks dotted around the…read morecity? I didn't even know about this one and it's just around the corner from me really. So, I wrapped up warm and stepped through the impressive (and original) wrought iron gates on Church road. It was rather like stepping from the bustle of the modern city with all its traffic and noise into a tranquil Victorian landscape. An avenue of trees, lawns on which to give the dog a good run and a large duckpond/small lake (I can't quite decide which it is - man made whichever!). That's about it, but a refreshing change from walking on concrete. The gates are is open 24 hours (although I wouldn't recommend using it as a cut through to anywhere late at night). There's also a car park nearby. Recent developments to the greenery is that the park is part of the 'TreeBristol project' and 70 new trees were recently planted by people from the local community. Yay!

It's great to find Park's of this size very near to City centre's. Especially considering the area…read moreit is in. As it is not in the best area of Bristol it does give young people an area to not only play a bit of football, bit there is also a skate park. For young families as well there are a couple of playgrounds so you can keep your little angles(brats!) entertained for a few hours as you catch a quick restbite on a bench. You don't hear much traffic when you are in the park which is nice, and it is great to see everyone treats it with repect.

This ancient National Trust woodland covers 180 hectares (440 acres) - so it's big enough to escape…read moreto, enjoy the peace and quiet of the woods, and explore woodland sculptures and some unusual trees. Not only is it a beautiful parkland with views of the Avon Gorge, but it's also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Site of Nature Conservation Interest and a National Nature Reserve. The network of hard-surfaced paths means it's fairly accessible, too. Look out for the timber framed barn, which was constructed fairly recently but using the same techniques as were employed in medieval times.

Up yonder past suspension bridge lies Bristol's emerald mystery. Swoop with rare peregrine falcons,…read morestroll with the kids or blow the cobwebs off your mountain bike like I did (it didn't even feel like exercise!) The woods are National Trust owned, crammed with wildlife and only a 15 minute saunter from Clifton. Pack a picnic and make for this site of Scientific Interest (and no, that doesn't mean UFO sightings!). Each avenue you find yourself on is lined with conifers, well-located benches and dizzying views over the Avon gorge. Great for an afternoon's game of good ol' fashioned hide'n'seek. I grabbed my coat and scarf and unleashed my inner child! How often can you say that?!