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Dogging sites

Dogging in Bristol

From Clifton Downs to Tog Hill and the lanes of South Gloucestershire, the area's best-known dogging spots, with a map for each.

Bristol's best-known spots are on Clifton Downs, right in the city, but some of the busiest are just over the boundary in South Gloucestershire, on the hills and lanes towards Bath. In between there are big parks, a riverside valley and a couple of pub car parks.

There is a map with every spot, plus a what3words address for the walk-in ones. Most of them are busy with walkers and families by day, so the notes say when they get going. Spots change over the years, so take each one as a place to start.

Bristol

In the city itself the spots are mostly on Clifton Downs and in the big parks on Bristol's edges, with a riverside valley out towards Hanham.

Clifton Downs, the Sea Walls

Clifton Downs has been one of Bristol's best-known spots for decades: a huge open common with somewhere to meet at almost any time of day. There is no single meeting point, but in the daytime the public toilets at the Sea Walls, where the ice cream van parks up, and the woods inside the Circular Road are the places to start.

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Clifton Downs, by the water tower

After dark, head for the area around the Downs water tower on Stoke Road. Ladies Mile is the main road across the Downs: drive round after 10pm, and a few cars parked up are almost always doggers.

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Car park off the A4 by the Sea Walls

Quieter than the rest of the Downs, but it sits beside the main road, so it suits exhibitionists. It usually gets going from about 9pm.

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Lover's Walk, Redland

Round the corner from Redland station, the Lover's Walk path and the park beside it have action most nights from 10pm. Late at night the station area is a known gay spot.

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Shirehampton Park car park

The car park for Shirehampton Park, free and open all hours with no height barrier. There is action in the car park most evenings after 10pm, and in the woods in the warmer months.

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Ashton Court

The Ashton Court estate on the city's south-west edge has three car parks, and on a nice day there are plenty about, a short walk from any of them. A daytime spot, as the estate closes up at night.

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Conham River Park and Conham Vale

Park at Conham River Park, down by the Avon, and walk into the wooded valley of Conham Vale, where straight and gay men meet, and sometimes TVs.

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South Gloucestershire

Just outside the city, South Gloucestershire has the area's best-known spot at Tog Hill, with lanes, lay-bys and picnic sites all round the eastern edge of Bristol.

Tog Hill, A420

One of the best-known dogging spots in the whole of the UK, and a legend among doggers for decades. The large car park and picnic area sits on the A420 about ten miles east of Bristol, with views over Bristol and Bath, and the Bristol Post has reported up to a hundred visitors a day. It is busy around the clock, most of all from late afternoon into the early hours, and every attempt to shut it down, including closing the toilets, has done nothing to keep the regulars away. Known affectionately to locals as 'Tug Hill' (you can probably guess why), these days most of the action happens in the areas just outside the car park rather than in it.

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Cock Lane, Hinton

A narrow single-track country lane that has been hugely popular for well over ten years, with people about every day. Parking is limited to a small area and the passing places along the lane, so park considerately: a few of the villagers are not keen on the visitors.

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Castle Farm Road, Hanham

A small car park off Castle Farm Road used by walkers and dog walkers, so it is more of a meeting point: most people head down the paths into the woods. There is a height barrier and it is usually shut at night. Mostly gay men and TVs.

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Swineford picnic area, A431

The picnic area and car park behind the Swan at Swineford, on the Bath road between Bitton and Kelston. Not the busiest, but it livens up after 9pm and once the pub closes.

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A46 lay-by near the M4

A lay-by and small rest stop on the A46 just off the M4 at Tormarton, with a path into the woods. Couples and lorry drivers, mostly at weekends after 10pm.

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Old Passage Road, Aust

Come off the motorway for Aust, go through the village past the Boars Head, and follow the road down towards the old Severn ferry crossing. It ends in a quiet dead-end lane by the river, away from the houses, with sheltered woods beside it, best after 10pm. Mostly bi and gay men.

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Avon Valley Railway car park, Bitton

The car park at Bitton station on the Avon Valley Railway, hidden from the road. Not usually too busy, and popular with couples after 9pm.

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Old Plough car park, Kingswood

The car park at the Old Plough on Westons Way, where couples turn up after closing time.

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Before you go

Expect walkers and families at most of these places in daylight, and go later. Keep it quiet when you arrive, respect anyone else who is about, and leave nothing behind.

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