BathBradford-On-Avon

Batbra four
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By panifex on 15 Sep 2022


Distance

11km/7mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

This route is a hybrid of the other routes, taking the direct route from Bath to Dundas Aquaduct and then following the canal to Bradford On Avon. I think this represents a good compromise, sticking to well used paths all the way while being significantly shorter than simply following the canal. It does, however, include the steep section out of Bath and down Brassknocker hill to the aquaduct, so will not be suitable for all

This route is a hybrid of the other routes, taking the direct route from Bath to Dundas Aquaduct and then following the canal to Bradford On Avon. I think this represents a good compromise, sticking to well used paths all the way while being significantly shorter than simply following the canal. It does, however, include the steep section out of Bath and down Brassknocker hill to the aquaduct, so will not be suitable for all

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Batbra four

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 3

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Maybe present Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Maybe present Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Not present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Maybe present Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Maybe present Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Maybe present Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 35.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 34.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 34.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 12.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X July 2023 by Mary Oz
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Bath
Grid Ref ST7524964364
Lat / Lon 51.37778° / -2.35700°
Easting / Northing 375,249E / 164,364N
What3Words stale.hike.taking
Bradford-On-Avon
Grid Ref ST8255360871
Lat / Lon 51.34665° / -2.25189°
Easting / Northing 382,553E / 160,871N
What3Words permanent.surfacing.adjusting

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


Mary Oz

08 Jul 2023 Summer

I was holidaying in Bath with my siblings, and we chose this walk partly because we are all canal fans, since childhood holidays. We set off from Bath, using the footbridge over the River Avon. It’s true that there is no direct access at the end of the footbridge onto the riverside path, however a short walk along the main road, without crossing it, gives access to the canal towpath as it branches off the river at a lock. We continued a short way along the towpath and under Rossiter Road and St Andrew’s Place, emerging onto the road with a short walk around the corner onto Widcombe Hill. No need for road crossings, and close to the route as plotted. There was also the benefit of seeing the second deepest canal lock in the UK! The inaccuracy in the plotting is tiny.
The slog up Widcombe Hill was not unpleasant, and was rewarded with views back over the city. The steep climb continued up a tree-lined footpath, with roots, cycle barriers, and kissing gates. Over the top of the hill, the field footpaths were well used, and easy to follow, although there were signs of cows. There were some lovely stone stiles too, sometimes with gate alternatives.
There were a couple of minor roads to cross before the main steep descent through a field, where we got our first view directly along the aqueduct. Crossing the A36, directly after the gate out of the field, was not fun, and I could imagine that the stepped tarmac path down to the canal from there, could be slippery at times.
We diverted from the route temporarily, to explore the base of aqueduct from the riverside, and it was obvious to me that the engineer-architect of this structure was the same one, John Rennie, as for my local aqueduct over the River Lune.
The route from here was really quick and easy. We passed lots of moored boats, including sections where lots of people lived their alternative lifestyles. Immediately after crossing Avoncliff Aqueduct we had to go down under the aqueduct to cross to the towpath which was now on the other side. There was a pub here, and a café.
Shortly before Bradford-on-Avon we nearly missed the move onto the cycle track (too busy talking) but the plotting is good. We walked past the old Tithe Barn, and continued alongside the River Avon to the end point (omitting the wiggle through the car park). Overall, I thought this was an excellent route. I would have given it 5* except for the road crossing of the A36. The visibility along this busy road was poor in the direction coming from Bath. Dundas Aqueduct was probably the halfway point in terms of time. There is a visitor centre and café (with toilets) about half a kilometre off the route, following the Somerset Coal Canal branch from Dundas Aqueduct.


Richard Craft

04 Nov 2022 Autumn

I would agree entirely with Panifex, a good hybrid route. As with BatBra1 at the start from Bath it's better to go over the footbridge, across the two main roads using the pedestrian crossings then turn left through Widcombe High St and join the bottom of Widcombe Hill at the double mini roundabout.
It is not suitable for wheels.


Panifex

17 Sep 2022 Summer

I walked this today from Bath to Bradford-on-Avon. Unsurprisingly, given that I created it as my preferred route, I thought it was fantastic. Yes, the climb out of Bath is quite steep, and the descent to Dundas Aquaduct even steeper, but once that is out of the way it has all the benefits of the other routes along the canal - while being considerably shorter and more direct. All in all, I would definitely walk this way again (as indeed, I have walked this way in the past).


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Overall ratings

3 reviews


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2 reviews

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Other Routes for Bath—Bradford-On-Avon See all Slow Ways

Bath—Bradford-On-Avon

Batbra one

Distance

10km/6mi

Ascent

278 m

Descent

273 m

Bath—Bradford-On-Avon

Batbra two

Distance

16km/10mi

Ascent

271 m

Descent

266 m

Bath—Bradford-On-Avon

Batbra three

Distance

17km/10mi

Ascent

485 m

Descent

495 m

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