Enjoy cold, misty mornings at sunrise on the Downs – a sight to behold!

Mist hangs low over the Downs on a cold Jan morning Sun rise over the Downs

Bristol Zoological Society compressed logo

We are funded by the Society of Merchant Venturers, the Nisbet Trust, the Pople Trust and Bristol Zoological Society.

Think Bristol, think Downs

Love your living Downs

Our spring events are live for booking – exciting activities and sessions to discover for all the family!

Our spring events begin in February 2026, open for booking now:
  • Join our half term nature club ‘Trails & tail feathers‘ – discover the secrets of Clifton Down & make a bird feeder to take home on Tues 17th Feb.
  • Our annual insight into our amazing goats in the Gully takes place in ‘Amble with the Avon Gorge goat keeper‘ on Sunday 28th Feb.
  • The first AGDW native wildlife talk of the year ‘Sensational silky‘ – an expert talk on the rare silky wave moth of the Avon Gorge on Weds 25th March.
  • Have you experienced our ‘Dawn chorus spectacular‘ session with hot breakfast, led by well-known and inspirational naturalist Mike Dilger on Sat 11th April?
  • Explore the special Granny Downs tree trail with Robin Haward from Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge in ‘Tapestry of trees‘ on Sat 2nd May. Part of Bristol Walk Fest.
  • A brand new heritage session created for us by story-walker Clare Reddaway, ‘Promenades & panoramas‘ takes us from Promenade to Suspension Bridge on Sun 10th May. Part of Bristol Walk Fest.
Coming up later in the spring:
  • Spring birdsong ID workshop with expert naturalist and author Ed Drewitt, ‘Tweet talk’, Sun 21st June.
  • ‘Top gun of the sky’- an outside talk on raptors and the iconic peregrine falcons of the Avon Gorge with Ed Drewitt, Tues 23rd June.
  • Children dress up as the peregrines 
  • 6,759 people actively engaged with Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife in 2025.
  • 1,602 school and higher eduction students visited us for formal learning engagement.
  • Our human impact assessment for the Downs and Avon Gorge resulted in concrete management action taken by Bristol City Council.
  • 269 people took part in one of our discovery sessions, talks, workshops, children’s or family events.
  • We engaged with 4,643 people through guided sessions and talks to community groups and at community or outreach events.
  • 18 volunteers donated 540 hours of their time.
  • 227 young people joined us in playscheme, special youth groups or uniformed groups.
  • We expanded our surveying and monitoring activities throughout the year.

Our ‘Love your Living Downs‘ campaign – keeping our stunning and special green space ‘fire and barbecue free‘ and ‘taking litter home‘ re-ignites in the spring of 2026 – with the aim of eliciting responsible use of our beautiful Downs among all users.

Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife

The Avon Gorge, Clifton Down, Durdham Down and Leigh Woods are just a few miles from Bristol City Centre and yet they’re home to a wealth of wildlife. With stunning views, rare plants, ancient woodland, nesting peregrine falcons and awe-inspiring geology this is one of the most exciting places to see wildlife in Bristol.

Discover the review of 2025 here.

Discover the January Downs Diary here.

Bookings for 2026 events are open!

Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife is a partnership of the Society of Merchant Venturers, Bristol Zoological Society, Downs Committee, University of Bristol Botanic Gardens, Natural England, Bristol City Council, Forestry England and National Trust.

Photographs: View of Avon Gorge (© Pip Brunt), (Juvenile peregrine facing forward (© Sam Coppard), Buttercups on the Downs (© Simon Muir), Spiked speedwell (© Libby Houston), Meadow on the Downs (© Denice Stout), Adult peregrine falcon (© Helen Hall), Bullfinch (© Kathi Held), Goats (© Derek Caterall), brown long-eared bat (©Hugh Clark), flying peregrine falcon (©Sam Coppard), promenade of autumn beeches (©Adrian Wyatt). All other photos © Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project and © Phil Jearey.