Snuff Mills Weir and Park – Halfpenny Bridge loop from University of the West of England (Frenchay Campus)

Hiking trails & Routes

Snuff Mills Weir and Park – Halfpenny Bridge loop from University of the West of England (Frenchay Campus)

Easy

4.6

(24)

269

hikers

Snuff Mills Weir and Park – Halfpenny Bridge loop from University of the West of England (Frenchay Campus)

01:40

6.24km

70m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

944 m

Snuff Mills Weir and Park

Highlight • Waterfall

A beautiful stretch of fields, next to River Avon lovely flowers open 24hrs

Tip by

1.44 km

This footbridge crosses the river Frome on the edge of Oldbury Court estate. The name is probably because the bridge replaced a ferry which charged half a penny to cross. The same charge was made to pedestrians when the bridge opened until it was paid for.
The Frome Valley Walkway long distance trail crosses here.

Tip by

2.09 km

Oldbury Court Estate Waterfall

Highlight • Trail

Oldbury Court estate was purchased by the Graeme family in 1799. They landscaped the area and lived here. In 1937 the last heir died, and the estate was sold to the Bristol Corporation which is now Bristol City Council. The old mansion was demolished as it was in a dangerous state of repair. It's now a great area of green space, river side trails, playground and parkland within Bristol’s boundaries.

Tip by

3.18 km

Frenchay Bridge

Highlight • Monument

Grade II listed building, listed in 1984. It stands within the South Gloucestershire county, not "Bristol Proper," although it is (at least nowadays) very much a part of Bristol. When this was constructed in 1788, it was in the "Parish of Chipping Sodbury," but as time went on & the population grew in the mid - latter ¼ of the 20th century, Bristol expanded exponentially northwards.
Lots of old parishes & what would have been small villages, such as Frenchay, have now become part of the city.
The bridge itself is stunning. There is an old plaque reading that the bridge "is unsafe to carry a weight beyond 6 tons."
It's in a really pretty area, right in the suburbs (well, urban sprawl! In Bristol, it's pretty hard to tell where one area starts and ends!) But, you can easily feel miles away from the noise & and built-up areas not far from here.
The weekends at Oldbury Court / Vassals & Snuff Mills are really horrendously busy, if possible, I'd advise visiting on a weekday.

Tip by