A self-guided Totterdown walk

Updated 2 November 2026. Totterdown is very steep, so wear good shoes and take your time. Most stops are on residential streets: keep noise down and don't block doors. How we check facts.

These ten sights run roughly from the river at the bottom of the hill to the top, so you can link them into a walk from Temple Meads station. Each has a map link to help you plan your own route.

The ten sights

1. Bristol Temple Meads. The station is the natural starting point; Visit Bristol's walk from here crosses the New Cut and climbs into Totterdown. [1] Map
2. Totterdown Bridge. The bridge over the Avon at the foot of the hill was built in 1888. [9] Map
3. The Thunderbolt, 124 Bath Road. A Grade II listed turnpike tollhouse from about 1840, now a music pub. [10] Map
4. Three Lamps. The Grade II* listed cast-iron signpost where the Bath Road and the Wells Road part, its arms pointing to Bath and Wells. [2] Map
5. The lost middle of Totterdown. Around Three Lamps stood the streets cleared from about 1968 for a road that was never built. [11] [12] The full story.
6. Bristol Jamia Mosque, Green Street. Bristol's first mosque, in a former church bought in 1968. [13] Map
7. Richmond Street. One of the best-known rows of coloured houses, with more than 70 homes, most of them brightly painted. [3] Map
8. Vale Street. England's steepest residential street, home to the Easter egg roll, and briefly to Banksy's "Aachoo!!". [4] [14] Vale Street guide. Map
9. The Wells Road and Oxford Street. Totterdown's two shopping streets, with cafés, Farrows' fish and chips, the Bruhaha brewpub and the Carouse wine bar. [15] [16] [17] Where to eat. Map
10. Perrett's Park. Finish with one of the best views of the city, especially at Balloon Fiesta time in August. [5] Map

How can you extend the walk?

• Arnos Vale Cemetery: a Victorian garden cemetery further along the Bath Road. [18] More.
• Religious buildings: TRESA's walk visits Totterdown's churches, chapels and mosque. [7]
• The river: the Friends of the Avon New Cut publish circular walks along the New Cut. [8]
• On the arts trail weekend you can go inside artists' homes along the way: 14 and 15 November in 2026. [19] Arts trail guide.

Sources

1. Walks from Bristol train stations, Visit Bristol: visitbristol.co.uk
2. Sign post and Three Lamps, Bath Road and Wells Road (list entry 1203998), Historic England: historicengland.org.uk
3. It's a tight-knit street life in Totterdown's coloured houses, Bristol Post via inkl: inkl.com
4. Street in Bristol named the steepest in England, ITV News, 18 April 2019: itv.com
5. Perrett's Park, Wikipedia; Perrett Park, Bristol City Council park finder: wikipedia.org; bristol.gov.uk
6. The locals' guide: Totterdown, Visit Bristol: visitbristol.co.uk
7. Religious buildings of Totterdown walk, TRESA, June 2025: tresa.org.uk
8. Circular walks around the New Cut, FRANC (Friends of the Avon New Cut): franc.org.uk
9. Archaeological excavation of site at Totterdown Bridge, TRESA: tresa.org.uk
10. The Turnpike Public House, 124 Bath Road, Grade II listing, British Listed Buildings: britishlistedbuildings.co.uk
11. The community razed to the ground for a road that was never built, The Bristol Cable, May 2017: thebristolcable.org
12. 20th century road schemes in Bristol, Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
13. Bristol Jamia Mosque, Wikipedia; About us, Bristol Jamia Mosque: wikipedia.org; bristoljamiamosque.co.uk
14. Banksy's Aachoo!! removed by crane from wall of Totterdown house, Bristol24/7, March 2021: bristol247.com
15. Award-winning fish and chip shop to open second premises, Bristol24/7: bristol247.com
16. Independent brewery opens first permanent taproom, Bristol24/7: bristol247.com
17. New wine shop and bar preparing to pop the cork, Bristol24/7, 2025: bristol247.com
18. Arnos Vale heritage, Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust: arnosvale.org.uk
19. Frequently asked questions, Totterdown Arts Trail: totterdownartstrail.org