Ethnobotanical Tours of Bristol
Join Nicholas on an Ethnobotany-themed walking tour of Bristol's suburbs.
Plants are all around us, and although we may think of many of them as "weeds", most are actually potentially very useful in their own way. All plants have an interesting story to tell and have their own relationship with people and our culture, whether that be as medicine or food, in folklore, or from history.
Ethnobotany walking tours weave together the history, botany, and magic of the wonderful plants that live and grow in our neighbourhoods. These tours are ideal for anyone interested in herbal medicine, as well as gardening, plant sciences, ecology, or language. They're also a great way of seeing familiar places from the unique and multidisciplinary perspective of Ethnobotany.
Each of the walking tours is based around a different area of Bristol, and incorporates the flora found there, as well as some of the local history. Each walk focuses on a specific medicinal herb and there will be the opportunity to try a tincture and a tea. During the walk, I will draw inspiration from polymath and philosophical writer von Goethe and his "ways of seeing" to guide you through an experiential and participatory process of understanding plants better.
Each tour lasts approximately 60 minutes, depending on numbers. See below for start times. The cost is £15/person.
Private tours can be booked at additional times at £25/person. Contact me directly to arrange this.
Gift vouchers are available.
The tours are family and pet-friendly, dogs are particularly welcome! However, they are probably not suitable for children under the age of 10. Please note: there are steep inclines during all tours.
Free on-street parking is usually available at the start/end points, as well as a local pub!
These tours are clear, simple to understand, and suitable for speakers of other languages.


Saint Werburgh's
Start point: Outside the Duke of York pub, 2 Jubilee Rd, St Werburgh's, Bristol BS2 9RS
Start time: 11 am
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Including: Mina Road Park, City Farm, Narroways
Herb focus: Hawthorn
Availability:
16th - 19th July 2026; 13th - 16th August 2026
Please note: the walk up to the top of Narroways is quite steep and not wheelchair accessible

St Mary Redcliffe, Victoria Park, Totterdown
Start point: Quaker Burial Ground, Redcliffe Way, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6SJ
Start time: 11 am
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Including: Redcliffe, Victoria Park, Perrett Park
Herb focus: Rosemary
Availability:
16th - 19th July 2026; 13th - 16th August 2026
Please note: Perrett Park is quite steep



Kingsdown and Cotham
Start point: Outside the Bell pub, 16-18 Hillgrove St, Bristol BS2 8JT
Start time: 2 pm
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Including: Kingsdown, Cotham Park
Herb focus: Rose
Availability:
16th - 19th July 2026; 13th - 16th August 2026
Please note: the walk up to the top of Kingsdown is quite steep and not wheelchair accessible

Clifton Village
Start point: Alderman Proctor's Drinking Fountain, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3HT
Start time: 2 pm
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Including: Clifton Village
Herb focus: Chamomile
Availability:
16th - 19th July 2026; 13th - 16th August 2026
Please note: there are no steep inclines on this walk










