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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.

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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 

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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

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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

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Book online to secure your place

£15 per person

(including students & under-18s)

Full prior payment required to confirm booking

Click Book Online to see full availability and complete your booking:

Alternatively, complete a contact form to make other enquiries e.g. private tours:

Refund/Cancellation Policy for direct bookings:
You may receive a full refund provided the request is received more than 48 hours before the displayed start time and date of the walk.
For requests received less than 48 hours before the start time and date of the walk, you may reschedule your booking to any other time and date in the future without prejudice.
Refunds are not available for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance.

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