There are two sides to Bristol. In some ways it’s a modern city, the first in the UK to be named as a European Green Capital, and boasting an active economy built on media and the arts, electronics and aeronautical engineering. But it’s also the capital of the West Country, the land of scrumpy cider, muddy farmyards and doing a proper job. And while going to an art gallery and sipping on a flat white coffee is all well and good, a West Country experience isn't complete without getting into the great outdoors and having some boisterous fun. So don’t miss out on your chance to get on the back of a muscular quad bike and fling some mud around a field!

There are numerous sites in the Bristol area where you can get into the saddle of a quad, feel the power of the engine as you put your thumb to the throttle and let rip. From woodland tracks, to cross country trekking, to track riding, there’s something for junior and novice riders, and experienced petrol heads. They are designed to tackle any terrain, which is why they’re also known as All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), without losing their grip or their balance, but the fun lies in pushing them to their limit! To get this thrill, at a great price, keep reading this guide where we’ve put together all the information that you need to know.

Where are the best places to go quad biking in Bristol?

• Cribbs Causeway: Just a stone’s throw from Bristol city centre, Cribbs Causeway has become one of the most popular places in the local area for outdoor activities. One of the best adventures here is quad biking, and the quality of this experience is down to a few things. First of all, there’s the machines themselves. You’ll find 300cc Kawasaki Brute here, which are powerful, rugged and a lot of fun to ride. Secondly is the site, which is 40 acres of well thought out terrain. And finally, the activity is designed to get the most out of the machines, and the best out of the riders. You start by navigating a slalom between poles and some tight turns, obstacles which will get you used to controlling the quad, then you take to the trekking route which leads you around the site and presents you with a variety of surfaces to overcome. Speed is allowed, but the focus here is on the technical stunts that you need to pull off in order to complete the circuit.

• Hamburger Hill: If you’re leaving the city in the other direction, keep an eye out for Hamburger Hill. There’s quad biking for all the family here with two separate fleets, one of full size and the other of junior models. The action is guaranteed here as well because the tracks are weather resistant and can be used even after heavy rain. Tyre walls keep everyone safe on a challenging track, laid out in the shape of a butterfly.

• Portishead: This town brings together the two things that make quad biking possible - industry and mud. The town was an important port, with a power station and chemical factories, but not far away is the Gordano Valley, whose name comes for an Old English phrase meaning “muddy valley.” If you come for a quad bike ride here, you’ll start with a warm up before getting stuck in, not literally, on a 5 kilometre trek that takes you through ancient woodland, up the sides of the valley and through the mud! The team in Portishead have over 20 years of experience providing outdoor experiences, so they know how to make happy customers.

Options for organising a ride

- There’s nothing like splashing through the mud on a powerful quad bike to take your mind off things, and these the sessions on offer in Bristol are a fantastic way to let off some steam. In general, experiences last between 1 and 2 hours, including warm up and trekking as well as some time for a safety briefing and instructions, and you can expect to spend most of the time in the saddle. Junior sessions are a bit shorter, around 45 minutes.

- The best way to organise a ride is as a group. It’s great fun to challenge your friends, or work with them to find the best way around the obstacles. So celebrate a special occasion - be it a birthday, a stag or hen do, or a corporate event - in style here.

- And while you’re at it, why not make the most of your escape to the country by combining a quad bike session with another outdoor activity? You could try a different kind of all terrain vehicle like a buggy, do something completely different like clay pigeon shooting, or make it a team event with a game of paintball.

Requirements to do this activity

Remember those 300cc quad bikes that we mentioned before? They are high performance machines which are a real thrill to ride, but, as you can probably guess, they’re not suitable for youngsters. You need to be over 18 years old to get your hands on one of these, or over 16 if you’re accompanied by a parent or guardian. The good news is that under 16s can satisfy their appetite for ATVs in Bristol on junior quad bikes, perfect for 8 to 15 year olds, which are manufactured by Suzuki. These are designed with both adrenaline and safety in mind.

The vehicles have an upper weight limit, to ensure the suspension and other systems work correctly on even the most gnarly terrain. This limit is set at 165 kilograms, which is 25 stone.

What do you need to bring tthe day of the experience

Bring the right attitude! Come rain or shine, riding an ATV will be a thrilling experience so long as you're up for the challenge, and not worried about a little bit of mud. But it’s not like you’re going to be completely covered, especially because you’ll be given overalls when you arrive at your site of choice to cover your clothes. They’ll also give you a helmet, for safety reasons, and a pair of gloves if necessary, but you need to wear the right shoes. Old trainers or walking boots are perfect, no sandals or high heels, and a spare pair is a good idea when there’s been rain, or rain is forecast.

So rev up the engine and kick up some mud! You’ll have a great time here once you’ve booked with us.