Al fresco dining is one of the limited luxuries people are still free to enjoy during lockdown, whether it's a hastily-packed picnic or a hot barbecued feast.

Bristol City Council allows the latter at all of its parks and green spaces, with the exception of Troopers Hill nature reserve, where barbecues are completely banned.

Only small areas of Brandon Hill and the Downs are designated as barbecue spots, and people heading there can find maps on the council's website specifying where these are.

Even at parks and green spaces without location restrictions, however, there are still rules to protect the parks and reduce the risk of fires.

These are set out under byelaws that came into force more than three years ago, and people caught breaking them could be removed and issued a fine of up to £500.

The council's guidance clearly states that barbecues must be:

  • Shop bought, not home-made
  • Placed on the ground, not on park furniture
  • On legs, so the grass does not burn
  • Watched when alight
  • Cold before placed in a rubbish bin

    • Barbecues are also banned from children’s play areas.

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    The byelaws explicitly state that "no person shall light a fire or place, throw or drop a lighted match or any other thing likely to cause a fire".

    However, barbecues are listed as exempt from this, as well as camp stoves in designated camping areas.

    Lighting bonfires is not permitted in the parks, unless the council has granted permission.

    Anyone who advertises their barbecue for wider attendance - not that this is currently possible under lockdown - will also have to seek permission, as will anyone who wishes to play loud music.

    Troopers Hill

    The barbecue ban at Troopers Hill is for two main reasons - to protect the wildlife and to prevent fires.

    Grass on the hill is not cut, and can become long and dry in summer, meaning fires can spread easily.

    According to Friends of Troopers Hill, barbecues are permitted on the adjacent Troopers Hill Field, but the rules above still apply.

    List of parks and nature reserves

    There are dozens of beautiful green spaces on our doorsteps, from riverside nature reserves to vast fields with views of the city skyline.

    These are all the publicly-accessible green spaces listed on the city council's website:

    Parks: Arnos Vale, Ashton Court, Begbrook Green Park, Blaise Castle Estate, Brandon Hill, Canford Park, Castle Park, College Green, Cotham Gardens, Dame Emily Park, Dundridge Park, Eastville Park, Greville Smyth Park, Hengrove Park, Horfield Common, Kings Weston Estate, Luckwell Park, Netham Park, Oldbury Court, Redcatch Park, Queen Square, Redland Greeen, St George Park, The Downs, St Agnes Park, St Andrews Park, St Paul's Park, Stoke Park, Victoria Park

    Nature reserves: Avon New Cut, Badock's Wood, Callington Road, Lawrence Weston Moor, Lamplighter's Marsh, Eastwood Farm, Manor Woods Valley, Royate Hill Nature Reserve, Narroways Millennium Green, Old Sneed Park, Stockwood Open Space, The Northern Slopes, Troopers Hill.