We aim to do a fursuit walk around the centre of Bristol at every meet.
The walk starts around 3pm and takes about an hour. Fursuiters are expected to be ready and outside of the venue 15 minutes prior to the walk beginning. The walk isn’t just for fursuiters; non-fursuiters are encouraged to join in too!
This walk takes place in public spaces, guided by meet staff and volunteers wearing snazzy purple hi-vis vests.
If we are unable to hold a walk for some reason, such as due to wet weather, fursuiters are still encouraged to suit up within the venue.
Walking routes
The fursuit walk’s route will usually change depending on the weather conditions and events taking place in the city. The route the walk takes is subject to change as required.
Queen Square route (dry conditions)
This route is typically used in dry and hot weather. It’s a shorter route (about 1 kilometre, or two-thirds of a mile) that includes walking on gravel and grass surfaces, but it provides more open space and greenery with plentiful shaded areas.
From the Colosseum, we head north down Redcliffe Hill and turn left at the roundabout, changing to the other side of the road before crossing Redcliffe Bascule Bridge. Crossing the road at Welsh Back, we pass to the right of The Hole in the Wall pub, briefly crossing a road around Queen Square before ending in the green space of the square for rest and photographs.
The same route is taken in reverse to return to the Colosseum.
Millennium Square route (wet conditions)
This route is used when it has recently rained and the ground is still damp or drying. The entire 2 kilometre (1.25 miles) walking route is paved.
From the Colosseum, we head north down Redcliffe Hill, turning left at the roundabout and crossing Redcliffe Bascule Bridge. We keep left of The Hole in the Wall pub, turning onto The Grove and following it until we pass Thekla, stopping outside of it for a brief rest and photos.
Continuing on east through the car park, we cross Prince Street onto the pedestrianised part of the harbour at Narrow Quay. We go around the Arnolfini and following Narrow Quay up until Pero’s Bridge, crossing the bridge and continuing straight ahead towards We The Curious before turning into Millenium Square for rest and photos.
The same route is taken in reverse to return to the Colosseum.
Harbourside route (wet conditions)
This shorter route is used when it’s wet and there is a likeliness of further rain. It may also be used if there are events taking place in Queen Square or Millenium Square and we’re unable to visit them.
The route is around 1.3 kilometres (0.8 miles). The entire route is paved, however there are cobbled streets and a short, steep uphill section in the last half of the route.
From the Colosseum, we head north down Redcliffe Hill, turning left at the roundabout and crossing Redcliffe Bascule Bridge. We keep left of The Hole in the Wall pub, turning onto The Grove and following it until we pass Thekla, stopping outside of it for a brief rest and photos.
Continuing on east through the car park, we turn left onto Prince Street and cross the harbour over the Prince Street Bridge, turning left again to the pedestrianised Merchant’s Quay. We hug the edge of the harbour here, turning into Trin Mills and approaching Bathurst Basin. We cross the habour again on the Bathurst Basin swing bridge, continuing to follow the edge of the harbour down Phoenix Wharf, where we stop again for rest and photos.
We then return to the Colosseum by taking the steep footpath from Phoenix Wharf up to Redcliff Parade.
Fursuit walk rules
When on the walk, please follow the following additional rules:
- Always follow the instructions given by the meet staff and volunteer stewards, particularly when crossing roads and bicycle lanes.
- Do not walk ahead of the lead steward or behind the trailing steward, unless doing so to take photographs.
- Do not consume alcohol at any time whilst walking. Bristol bylaws prohibit street drinking.
- Do not play music when walking. You may do so at the marked stopping locations.