Bath is surrounded by glorious countryside, so it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of shady woodland to explore when the weather gets a bit too hot. I’ve listed out below a number of great places for shade seekers, there’s plenty of option for those with buggies or kids with bikes and scooters and some even have a bit of water for a paddle. Click on the links for the full low down on each location.
As well as the list below, these locations come highly recommended from the brilliant members of Outdoor Mums Bristol & Bath FB group and are firmly on our list to visit:
Blaise Castle Estate has extensive 650 acres parkland and woodlands to explore with plenty of shade, plus a great children’s adventure playground. It’s free to enter and has a cafe onsite too.
Box Recreation Ground & Bybrook Stream One of our most frequented parks, we love Box. Follow the path by the recreation grounds down through shady woodland and a refreshing stream for paddling and poking a stick. The Birdhouse Cafe is nearby for lunch.
Corston Woods is a beautiful shady woodland with a shallow stream winding through. It’s really close to Bath and although there’s no facilities, Newton St Loe farm shop & cafe is only a few minutes drive away for lunch or ice cream.
Fairy Door Woodland Trail Follow the winding, shady woodland path looking for fairy doors until you reach the adventure playground and woods full of adventures and handy picnic spots. There is a coffee hut currently stationed further along the Discovery Trail on the weekend.
Forest of Dean is a bit further afield but worthy of a bit of shady exploring. It’s an ancient forest packed with exciting things to do such as The Sculpture Trail a collection of contemporary sculpture scattered throughout the forest.
Lansdown Woods also known as Further Slate and Ranger Woods is just past the Racecourse and a wonderfully shady. There’s no amenities but great for kids on their bikes or some wild woodland exploration.
Moorfields Sandpits has fantastic shade from huge trees and a waterway running through the playground for cooling down. An ice cream van is often stationed nearby for additional cooling off.
Oldbury Court Estate & Snuff Mills A great option for a lovely shady walk, we used to do it with the buggy and the path follows the river which has some shallow sections for cooling off. There’s a huge playground but not with a huge amount of shade, also cafe options at either end for refreshments.
Westonbirt Arboretum is home to 2,500 different species from the far corners of the globe and 5 national tree collections so you will find plenty of shade here. There are great adventure play areas dotted about the site shaded by the trees, refreshment truck and cafes. A great spot.
Willsbridge Mill has fantastic shade. Park in the car park then walk through shady woodland that leads you to the mill where there’s a great stream to splash in, a magical fairy woodland to explore, some dens and tree swings and a wonderful cafe, great for lunch or ice cream.