Royals and St Mary’s Church walk
The Church of St Mary the Virgin dates back to 1093, with various rebuilding over the years until an extensive refurbishment in 1878. Look out for two notable graves; an obelisk memorial to the Egyptologist Amelia Edwards and coloured head and foot stones of ‘Scipio Africanus’, a negro slave.
Description
(S/E) Start at Blaise Cafe. Walk towards Blaise Castle House, along surfaced path with play area on left hand side. At path junction near Blaise house bear right onto path leading slightly down hill. Continue on surfaced path leading down into the gorge with iron railings on left hand side.
(1) Cross over Mill Bridge at bottom of hill, and take the surfaced path, leading up hill. Follow path past Woodman’s Cottage.
(2) Opposite the timber clad building (known as Rustic Lodge) turn left down stone steps. Upon emerging from woodland, follow informal grass path straight ahead through the Royals, leading to the far right hand corner. Descend steps, cross bridge and continue through tunnel leading up to St Marys church yard.
(3) Bear left around the Church and leave by main gates into Church Close. Turn left up Church Lane, passing Telephone Cottage, to enter the estate through a large set of wooden gates. Drive continues up to front of Blaise Castle House. (S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 55 m - Blaise Cafe
- 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 58 m - Mill Bridge
- 2 : km 1.23 - alt. 85 m - Rustic Lodge
- 3 : km 1.76 - alt. 46 m - Church
- S/E : km 2.46 - alt. 55 m - Blaise Cafe
Useful Information
This walk follows woodland trails, grass paths and surfaced paths. It also follows two sets of stone steps.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Blaise Estate is a Grade II listed historic landscape with recorded human activity dating back 2,000 years. It became a ‘pleasure park’ to a variety of wealthy private owners and has been influenced through the landscape designer Humphrey Repton. It was purchased by the Corporation of Bristol in 1926 for £20,175.
The Heritage Lottery funded a project to restore this historic landscape and public park – an investment of approx £6.5 million. Visitor facilities including a café, play area and performance space have been introduced whilst the historic nature of the site has been conserved. These circular guided walks have been developed to provide reassurance and information for those who wish to experience all the estate offers. This includes spectacular views, the castle folly,lakes, scheduled ancient monuments, the 18th Century mansion, unique rock formations and designed landscape features.
Varying in length, all walks will contain relatively steep ascents/descents. Care should be taken on cliff edges and steep slopes.
Why not end your walk at the Cafe with a freshly made coffee and slice of homemade cake. Open daily serving hot and cold snacks, drinks and a large variety of ice cream.
