Pollen Count in Bristol Today

Bristol was originally a trade town, exporting wool and importing fish, wine and tobacco. Being a port town, it was also the site of numerous exploration expeditions.

Today, Bristol’s economy is heavily driven by creative industries, media, electronics and the aerospace industry. It is a creative and cultural hub, with plenty of quirky cafes, shops and bars, as well as being the birthplace of the famous graffiti artist, Banksy.

To top off its artsy vibe, Bristol is also heavily invested in sustainability and the environment and was named European Green Capital in 2015.This means that you may find significantly more greenery here than other cities, which is not great for hayfever sufferers.

On the plus side, being theGreen Capital of Europe means that pollution is significantly lower here than other cities, and, since pollen clings to pollution particles, this means that pollen won't hang around as long. In addition, its proximity to the coast means that Bristol enjoys fresh air from the sea.

As with any city, hayfever is caused by tree, grass and weed pollen, which combine to give a hayfever season that can start as early as February and extend into September.

The most common trees in Bristol are maple, ash, spruce, crabapple and honeylocust, but there is also a wide variety of other species, as well as grass and weed species, so pollen is likely to be found in Bristol throughout hayfever season.

These pollinators can be found throughout the city, as well as in the surrounding areas such as the Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve.

Like many cities, Bristol’s affluent West End is laden with trees, shrubs, hedges, flowers and grass, making this area more generally a good idea to avoid.  Further to the West lies the Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve (and the famous Clifton suspension bridge), meaning pollen will likely be higher in the West of the city. Pollen will also be higher around the city’s parks, of which there are many. Some of the most notable include:

• Castle Park. Located in the city centre, this modest park contains the remains of Bristol Castle’s keep, walls and underground vaults, as well as St Peter’s Church – a ruined church which is remarkably well intact. It has large grassy areas, as well as numerous trees, including seven silver birches that were planted in memoriam of the D-Day landings
• Queen Square. This small city-centre square has an area of open grass lined by plane trees, and neat gravel paths
• Brandon Hill. This large park and nature reserve contains just under 500 trees, of nearly 100 different species. This, plus its large grassy expanses make it a no-go for most hayfever sufferers!
• Victoria Park. Situated to the south of the city centre, this park contains a huge open grassy area and a good number of trees: ideal for picnics and sunbathing, but probably not one for hayfever sufferers
• The Royal Fort Gardens.  The Royal Fort Gardens are a large grassy area in the University of Bristol campus, with plenty of trees to irritate hayfever sufferers!

A wander around Bristol’s city centre and harbour will provide plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to keep you amused.

• For a slightly unusual night out, try Thekla, a nightclub and music venue located on a moored boat in the harbour
• Visit the At Bristol science centre for some fascinating fun. With exhibitions, a planetarium, shows, demonstrations and workshops, there’ll be plenty here to occupy adults and kids alike! Plus there’s a café and a shop; what more could you ask for?
• See a show at the Bristol Hippodrome. They’ve got musicals, plays, comedies and even kids entertainment. Have a look and see what takes your fancy
• Pop into the Watershed, described as a ‘cultural cinema and digital creativity centre’, which shows a range of independent, foreign and short films, and hosts a variety of special events
• Take a trip to the Bristol Museum and Gallery and explore its fascinating museum exhibitions – from dinosaurs to Egyptian mummies and rare wildlife. It has an amazing collection of art – European, Victorian and modern & contemporary art as well as pottery, glass work and Chinese carvings. There are also a range of exhibitions and workshops
• Download the Banksy Tour App and go and see some of Banksy’s original work around the city
• Get some retail therapy at the Cabot Circus shopping centre which has a huge range of shops, restaurants, cafes, and even a cinema
• Head down to the docks to explore Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Once the largest passenger ship in the world, it is now a wonderfully preserved museum that will be fascinating for all the family!

Our hayfever products such as Pollinosan tablets and Pollinosan nasal spray can be found in a number of outlets across Bristol– or you can buy online!

Our hayfever products are usually stocked in Holland & Barrett which can be found in the Cabot Circus and Galleries Shopping Centre in the city centre, as well as in Clifton Down Shopping Centre in Clifton. We also have several independent stockists around Bristol, such as Regent Practise in Clifton and Wild Oats in Redland.

Looking for relief of red and itchy eyes due to hayfever?

A.Vogel Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops contain hyaluronic acid (from vegetable source) and can be used for quick relief of red and itchy eyes due to hayfever. Suitable for contact lense users.

To find local independent stores in your area that sell A.Vogel Pollinosan Hayfever Eye drops, simply type your postcode below.