Many people visit Saltford for its historic conservation area and scenic riverside walks. Others come to participate in its many active societies, leisure and sports facilities. Often people are drawn to Saltford due to its varied range of places to eat and drink. Whatever your reason for coming to Saltford, we hope you enjoy your time in the village and we warmly welcome considerate visitors.
River & Saltford Weir
If visiting Saltford for its river side areas or for recreational purposes, please see the ‘River Avon in Saltford‘ page and information the links below.
Saltford’s river side is in a residential area with narrow roads. If visiting by vehicle please park lawfully and considerately. Available parking is available in a short stay car park and a small section of highway. B&NES Council parking enforcement (traffic wardens) visit regularly, especially during periods of good weather as do the police to ensure good access for large emergency vehicles. There are parking restrictions on the the majority of the highway near the river, including double yellow lines (see the parking section below). Visitors to the area are strongly encouraged to use public transport accessed from the A4 Bath Road, or to walk or cycle to Saltford’s river side areas.
- River safety information and advice
- River water quality at Saltford
- SPC’s river safety actions
- Tragedies at the river in Saltford inc Saltford Weir
Public toilets
Public toilets in the B&NES Council area are the responsibility of B&NES Council and managed by Healthmatic. For up-to-date information about B&NES Council’s toilets, including service disruptions, please see the ‘toilets‘ page on their website. If visitors encounter issues with public toilets in the B&NES area please report directly to B&NES Council.
Getting to Saltford by bus, bike or on foot
Saltford is a popular destination for cyclists and walkers. The Bristol to Bath Railway Path runs through Saltford connecting the two cities. Please find more information, including a map, on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path website. To find out more about public rights of way and permissive paths in Saltford, please visit our maps page.
Many bus routes provide a regular service though Saltford, via the A4 Bath Road.
Parking
If visiting Saltford by car to use the shops and businesses on the A4 Bath Road, please note the small car park in front of one of the parades of shops, and marked bays on residential roads nearby, have time-limited parking restrictions. Please check signage before leaving your vehicle.
There is a public car park on Wedmore Road by Saltford Hall and Saltford Sports Club, which is popular with users of both community facilities. The car park has 28 spaces and 2 disabled parking spaces. SPC is aware and supportive of B&NES Council’s plans to potentially install public Electric Vehicle Charging points at this location.
There is a small (12 spaces + 2 disabled spaces) public car park near the river where a maximum parking period of three hours is permitted. If using the car park between 1 October to 31 March inclusive, a stay must be booked via MiPermit or by using the ‘Pay & Display’ machine, even though it is free to park for a maximum three hour period. Between 1 April and 30 September, visitors can use MiPermit or the cash-only ‘Pay and Display’ machine to park for one, two or three hour period including on Bank Holidays. Disabled ‘Blue Badge’ holders with badges clearly displayed do not need to pay to park. Parking is not permitted outside marked bays at the car park, and vehicles parked outside bays are subject to Penalty Charge Notices – please view the B&NES Council tariff board before leaving your vehicle. The green space surrounding the car park is now protected from vehicles parking on it by wooden bollards.
If visiting Saltford’s river side areas by car, please be aware that parking restrictions (double yellow lines) are in place along many sections of the highway. Available parking can be in high demand. B&NES Council enforcement teams visit the area as a priority. B&NES Parking Enforcement officers monitor also monitor the Resident Parking Zones in this area regularly as a priority, especially during peak periods. Please view the B&NES Council signage available before parking.
Please note that vehicles using car park by the river for any business purpose will be subject to penalty charge notices by B&NES Parking Enforcement. B&NES Council has stated that businesses wishing to operate from the car park must do so with the express written permission of B&NES Council. SPC is aware that no licences have been issued and therefore any businesses or their clients using a vehicle to operate from this car park may be in contravention of the off street parking order and their vehicle may be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). The operation of a business from this car park reduces the availability of spaces for visitors to park to enjoy the local amenity.
Information about cashless payment via MiPermit can be found on the B&NES Council website here. MiPermit can be used by app, just download MiPermit for Android or download MiPermit for iOS to your phone. To find out how to use the MiPermit App please see this short ‘Using the MiPermit App in car parks’ YouTube video by North Essex Council for a step-step-guide. MiPermit tickets can also be accessed via the B&NES Council MiPermit website and also by phone (Text message / SMS – see ‘By Phone’ instructions here).
It is advisable to consider walking, cycling and/or using public transport if planning to visit this area of the village. To plan a visit by public transport visit https://journeyplanner.travelwest.info/directions Those parking in breach of the T&Cs on the tariff board at any B&NES Council car park, on double yellow lines, or exceeding the time limit permitted in marked bays, are subject to a £70 fine.
A number of businesses in Saltford operate their own private car parks, where restrictions apply and parking is available for patrons only. This includes all four pubs in Saltford, including those by the river. Visitors looking to use any private car parks are advised to check signage carefully before parking their vehicles. CCTV is in place at many of Saltford’s public and private car parks. Owners leave their vehicles at their own risk.
If parking elsewhere in the village , SPC requests that any visitors park with consideration to residents and with respect for the need for good emergency vehicle access. Many of Saltford’s ‘old village’ roads – especially the High Street – are narrow and have pinch points, and there are no pavements for pedestrians in some areas. Inconsiderate parking can be dangerous for both access and visibility, and residents are encouraged to contact the police directly on 101 if they see dangerously parked vehicles or if inconsiderate parking has resulted in gridlock.
Saltford Parish Council is not the responsible authority for parking matters. B&NES Council’s Parking Enforcement Officers are responsible for enforcing restrictions in public car parks and on the highway where restrictions apply. B&NES Council’s parking team can be contacted at parking@bathnes.gov.uk
The police can deal with vehicles causing an obstruction or hazard. Residents are encouraged to report dangerous parking to the police (the ‘local council’ referred to on the police website is B&NES Council).
Environment and nature
SPC welcomes people to enjoy its beautiful river side setting, however requests that users of the river treat this area with consideration to nature and the environment.
Please only access the river at appropriate and safe locations without damage to the river bank or its vegetation. Small boats such as kayaks and paddleboards can be launched in the area opposite The Shallows car park. Please protect the riverbank by not launching river craft in any other locations in Saltford. Please note that this area is not suitable for launching motor boats or larger watercraft.
The river is a habitat for otters, kingfishers and other wildlife that SPC is keen to see protected. Saltford Parish Council, working in partnership with B&NES Council, has recently taken action to protect an area of the riverbank on The Shallows that was being eroded due to unauthorised boat launching.
Visitors are also requested to take their litter home, or else use one of the many bins or ‘gold’ litter bags available.
Mooring
B&NES Cabinet agreed to relocate moorings from Mead Lane by spring 2023, and a charging system for moorings commenced in March 2021. Alternative locations for 14 day moorings will be identified by B&NES Council prior to ending moorings at Mead Lane. As of November 2020 the 48hr moorings at Mead Lane have been permanently removed. See the B&NES Council’s Mead Lane mooring webpage for more information.
History and heritage
For information about the Saltford Brass Mill and Saltford Heritage Centre, visit our History of Saltford page.