Blaise Estate Castle Walk Leaflet
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P Please beware. Steep Coombe inclines and drops in this area. Dingle Car Park Please note that this walk is not suitable for buggies. POINTS OF INTEREST The Giant’s footprint Local legend suggests that the POINTS OF INTEREST footprint was created in a fit of rage by the Giant Goram. In BLAISE CASTLE ESTATE Blaise Castle House fact it is an area of horizontally POINTS OF INTEREST Built in 1795 for John bedded carboniferous Butcher’s Cave Scandret Harford by limestone, exposed through One of the estates man William Paty. A solid, glaciation some 10,000 years made caves, given its simple design placed ago. The cavities are created name because of the on a rise so as to where rock has been dissolved red tinge to the stones Lilly appear bigger. Pond through the passage of water with in, resembling Harford was down vertical joints. hanging joints of meat. responsible for commissioning POINTS OF INTEREST landscape architect Humphrey Repton and Golf The Castle course thereafter, architect This Gothic sham castle, designed John Nash who Rustic Rhododendron and built in 1766 by Robert Mylne for designed the Orangery, Lodge Walk Thomas Farr, was used as a summer Dairy and nearby house for entertaining guests and Blaise Hamlet. viewing the passage of trade ships Tarn along the Bristol Channel and into More ornate additions Woodman’s Lake the mouth of the river Avon. When Cottage representing a Greek fire destroyed the ornate internal classical influence 4 wood panelling and floors in 1954, the were made to both the 5 The 3 building fell into disrepair. The Friends exterior and interior of Mill of Blaise were formed to raise public the house from 1832-3 Castle Walk 6 interest and funding, which led to the by C R Cockerell on 7 Blaise buildings structural restoration instruction from J S Castle in 1982. route/distance Harford Jnr. 8 Approx. 1¼ miles/40 minutes. 9 Incorporates historical features and stunning Castle Hill POINTS OF INTEREST Dairy Drive views over the gorge. Garden Robber’s Cave Café, toilets Constructed with large rustic local route difficulty 2 and Estate 1 Office limestone blocks over shallow excavated hole to serve as a feature for carriage Medium. This walk uses mainly woodland Blaise House Play area Car park P drive to the castle. trails with some steep inclines (marked on map) that can be muddy underfoot. Approx. 3 points of interest pink miles/1¼ hr. green Kings blue Gorge purple Royals Find out about events happening walk Hard walk walk Weston walk Walk walk Walk The Giant’s Footprint, Butcher’s Cave in Blaise Castle by visiting: Rhododendron Approx. 11/2 miles/ Approx. 11/2 miles/ Approx. 1¼ miles/ Lover’s Leap, the Castle, www.blaisecastleestate.co.uk Walk 35 mins. Easy walk 50 mins. Hard walk 50 mins. Easy walk Robber’s Cave. BLAISE CASTLE ESTATE 1 Start at Blaise Cafe. Walk towards the Blaise Castle House, along surfaced path with play area on left hand side. 2 At path junction near house bear right onto path leading slightly down hill, continue on surfaced path leading down into the gorge, until you reach a set of steps on the right Blaise Castle House Blaise Estate is a Grade II listed historic landscape hand side. with recorded human activity dating back 2,000 Take the steps up to the Castle. After a years. It became a ‘pleasure park’ to a variety of 3 wealthy private owners and has been influenced short distance on the right hand side you through the landscape designer Humphrey Repton. will come to a limestone pavement rock It was purchased by the Corporation of Bristol in formation, known as the Giant’s Footprint. 1926 for £20,175. 4 Carry on up path, passing Butcher’s Cave on the right. The Heritage Lottery funded a project to restore this historic landscape and public park – an 5 There are two view points; the first investment of approx £6.5 million. Visitor facilities located on the South Bastion, takes including a café, play area and performance space in Sea Mills, Leigh Court and Leigh have been introduced whilst the historic nature of Butchers Cave Woods. The top of this path is known the site has been conserved. as Lover’s Leap, where you can see These circular guided walks have been developed Giants Footprint Stoke Bishop, and Sneyd Park and in to provide reassurance and information for those the distance Dundry. who wish to experience all the estate offers. This At Lover’s Leap the Castle will come into view. With your includes spectacular views, the castle folly,lakes, 6 scheduled ancient monuments, the 18th Century back to the Castle turn left and head towards the path mansion, unique rock formations and designed leading from the information board into the woods. landscape features. 7 Follow this path on a gradual descent, then either head Varying in length, all walks will contain down the steps on the right hand side for a short cut relatively steep ascents/descents. onto the parkland, or continue over small rise passing Lover’s Leap Care should be taken on cliff edges Robbers Cave on the left hand side. and steep slopes. 8 Continue following this path, down a slight descent and turn right onto Castle Hill Drive. contact us Continue onto main field and back to Cafe. www. blaisecastleestate.co.uk 9 Why not end your walk here with a freshly made [email protected] coffee and slice of homemade cake. Open daily Bristol City Council is 0117 963 9174 grateful to the generous serving hot and cold snacks, drinks and a large financial contribution made by the Friends of Blaise towards variety of ice cream. production of these leaflets Robbers Cave.