When November rolls around each year, people are mainly focused on taking down Autumnal Halloween decorations and replacing them with more wintry wonders. In addition to visiting the local Christmas market and embarking on wintry walks and festive adventures, many will be looking forward to getting their tree – be it out of the loft or garage or from a local farm or supplier.
Fortunately for us here in Bristol, you can find an abundance of Christmas tree farms and shops, some of which offer picking and cutting your very own tree fresh from the fields, and others give you the hassle-free option of delivering a tree straight to your door. What’s more, in our list of local places to get a real tree below, you can even find spots that allow your four-legged friend to get involved too.
And some of these businesses have been selling the city Christmas trees for decades., so you know your tree is in the hands of experts…
Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm
Where: Old Gloucester Road, Frenchay, Bristol, BS16 1QW
Opening times: Open every day from November 20 (9am-5pm), with an earlybird reservation weekend from Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3 (10am-4pm).
Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm, dubbed ‘the most environmentally tees you can buy’ allows you to shop in person, or online with a Christmas tree delivery in Bristol and the surrounding areas. You can also take your tree home yourself, and choose between the option of walking among trees in the woodland and having staff cut it freshly for you, or picking from the ready cut trees available on site.
There is a variety of different species of trees – from Fraser Firs and Nordmann Firs, to the Norway Spruce. There is also a selection of pot grown trees between 3-6ft.
You can even visit and reserve your tree before you’re ready to take it home. You can visit any day the farm is open – including at the earlybird weekend – choose your tree, decorate it, and either come back at a later date to collect it, or arrange for the team to deliver it to you.
What’s more, dogs on leads are allowed on site, and you can also buy handmade wreaths, as well as tree stands and other decorations.
Ali & Joe’s Christmas Trees
Where: Multiple Bristol venues
Opening times: Various
Ali & Joe, who describe themselves as ‘Bristol’s festive fanatics’ put on pop-up venues selling quality Christmas trees from local suppliers, all while raising money for local charities. As the business has expanded, they now provide home delivery services via their online store.
You can choose to buy a sustainable cut Christmas tree, rent a potted Christmas tree – and they also stock Christmas tree stands for purchase, too. You can then get your premium Christmas tree delivered free, and at a date and time that suits you.
Pop-up venues this year include:
- Victoria Park, Bedminster & The Tobacco Factory, Southville – Saturday, November 30 – Sunday December 1, and Saturday, December 7 – Sunday, December 8 (Saturdays 10am-3.30pm, Sundays 10am-2.30pm) with Sunday including the Tobacco Factory Christmas Market
The Christmas Tree Shop Bristol
Where: Alma Road, Clifton, BS8 2DP
Opening times: From Thursday, November 28 – but you can order online now and book a date for delivery
Sam Harper, from Montpelier, and Ronan Maguire, who moved to Bristol for Uni, have been selling Christmas trees together for more than 20 years. Sam has been selling trees on the corner of Alma Road since he was 15 and is now a partner in the business.
The Christmas Tree Shop boasts species including the Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir, Norwegian Spruce, and even offers tree stands made from huge wood slices. You can find Sam and Ronan on the corner of Whiteladies Road, next to Clifton Down Shopping Centre.
Sheepway Christmas Trees
Where: Springfield House, Sheepway, Portbury, BS20 7TE
Opening Times: From November 22. Open daily from 9am-5.30pm
Sheepway Christmas Trees is award-winning, with former chairman of the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association John Hardwick, having grown fresh Christmas trees covering 50 acres, for more than 30 years. The farm is run by the Hardwick family and all trees are cut down as late as possible, and delivered from the farm in the Quantock Hills, to the tree outlet site in Sheepway.
This year, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of tree species, as well as stands, wreaths and pot-grown trees.
Cotswold Christmas Trees
Where: Yate Town Football Club, The Jelf Stadium, Lodge Road, Yate, BS37 7LE
Opening Times: The main Yate site will open on Monday, November 20, while the sites at Morrisons in Bath and Chippenham will open on Saturday, November 25
Cotswold Christmas Trees is another family-run business, which has been selling trees in Yate for more than 30 years. This year, the main site will open at Yate Town Football Club on Monday, November 20, while there will be further sites opening outside of Morrison’s in Bath and Chippenham on Saturday, November 25.
There will be an extensive collection of real trees, of all shapes and sizes and to suit all budgets, in addition to tree stands, lights, Christmas themed characters and more.
Refutrees at The Ardagh (now moved to St Andrews Park)
Where: St Barts Church, St Andrews Park, Maurice Road, BS6 5BZ
Opening times: Christmas shop opens on November 28 – opening hours are: 10.30am-7pm Thursday-Saturday, 10.30am-6pm Sunday to Wednesday
Bristol-based humanitarian organisation, Aid Box Community (ABC), is a Bristol-based humanitarian organisation set up by a group of people in response to “the continuing refugee crisis”. It supports asylum seekers and refugees with a free shop and welcome hub, activity groups, signposting advice, a crisis fund and a befriending service.
Refutrees is an online shop where you can order a tree for delivery – orders open on Friday, November 15, with deliveries starting on Friday, November 29. The Christmas shop opens on Thursday, November 28, in its new location.
All profits go to help refugees and asylum seekers in need, raising fund to provide vital living essentials, community and friendship for those in Bristol.