Batbra four

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

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.

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.

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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