Ashton Court Estate
A large west-side estate of deer parks and woodland, home to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta each August, where over a hundred hot-air balloons take to the sky at once.
Ashton Court sits on the west side of the Avon Gorge and covers about 350 hectares. It features a manor house with medieval origins, meadows, ancient oak woodland, two deer parks and mountain bike trails. Entry is free, and it's a popular place for locals to walk dogs, run and picnic. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, held in early August, is one of Europe's largest hot-air balloon events. The mass ascents at dawn and dusk and the nighttime 'Balloon Glow' are especially spectacular. Entry is free, though parking is charged. From the hillside, you can see views over the city and the Suspension Bridge. It's about a 20-minute walk from Clifton across the Suspension Bridge, or you can take a bus.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:00 to sunset (mansion rarely open)
Nearby sights
- Leigh Woods
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Clifton Observatory & Giant's Cave
- Clifton Village
- Brunel's SS Great Britain
- Cabot Tower & Brandon Hill
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
- Wills Memorial Building