Stanton Drew: A Man About Country Story Walk (Bristol WalkFest)

Join this guided story walk on the outskirts of Bristol: from an Iron Age hillfort, through gorgeous Somerset countryside, to one of the world's largest stone circle complexes.

We'll climb up to Maes Knoll, the ancient Iron Age hillfort, with jawdropping views over Bristol and the Severn Estuary. We'll then walk through gorgeous Somerset countryside, along leafy lanes and through grassy meadows to Stanton Drew, home of the third largest stone circle complex in the UK, and a druid pub with its very own megaliths. We'll finish by the river at the Rising Sun pub, in picturesque Pensford, in the shadow of the mighty viaduct.

Along the way we'll hear stories about giants, goddesses and fairies, ancient ravers, walking stones, and the Devil himself.

And what a day to go to the stones - it'll be Beltane, or Mayday, the ancient celebration of the coming summer, with the world bursting into life and the spirit realm closer than ever! Keep your wits about you - anything could happen in them there stones…

This guided walk blends history, folklore and nature connection to help you enjoy the great outdoors like never before. You’ll learn the stories of the local area while getting all the benefits of being in nature: lowered stress, improved mood, increased energy, boosted immune system, and much more.

This walk is suitable for nature lovers of all ages, or those wanting to discover the rich heritage just beyond Bristol's borders. All ages and experience levels are welcome, but a minimum level of fitness is required for gentle walking, uneven ground and possible muddy sections.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• A guided walk from the Bristol outskirts into the Somerset countryside
• Guided by James: storyteller, walk leader, historian and naturalist
• Explore famous sites as well as hidden gems
• Hear stories, facts and legends from over 2,000 years of history
• Connect with nature and other like-minded walkers
• A refreshing break from phone screens, email notifications and the anxieties of modern life

Walk Details

• Start time: 11am
• Start point: St Nicholas' Church, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0PU
• Finish point : The Rising Sun, Pensford, BS39 4AQ
• Parking : Street parking near Whitchurch
• Public Transport : Plentiful buses from Bristol. 12min bus from Pensford finish back to Whitchurch start point
• Distance : 11km
• Duration : 6 hours
• Terrain : Grass and dirt paths, some steep slopes
• Dogs : Not permitted
• Questions : james@manaboutcountry.co.uk