Batmar two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Walked this route from Marshfield to Bath, and it was gorgeous and fun despite the inability to follow it exactly. The problem arose because we could not find/access the gate referenced in the longer review submitted in May 2024 (there was an electrified fence, considerably overgrown brambles, and no apparent gate in the plotted area). See the screenshots from my OS map showing where we decided to strike out to the road (which was a very pretty option, with tall hedgerows on either side) and re-join the plotted route further down. The second OS map shows a clearly marked gate opening heading north, so you'd have a different experience and perhaps be better positioned to find the gate if you walked from Bath to Marshfield.

As an FYI, the route travels through grazing lands for cows, and navigating their space can be a bit unnerving if you're unfamiliar with a herd of large animals moving somewhat quickly in your direction. :-) We positioned ourselves on the other side of a metal gate at a safe distance for about 20 minutes, and the herd gradually lost interest in our presence and moved away from the path, allowing us to continue.

This route is lovely - some delightful meadows, and fantastic views back over Batheaston towards Bathampton Downs from the edge of Clift Wood. Two warnings: 1) I don't think the route is quite accurate where it leaves the Catherine Valley east of St Catherine's Court - it should follow the red dotted lines just west of the indicated route. and 2) the initial climb from Oakford Lane to Ashwicke Road is very steep. Overall, it's probably better for walking south from Marshfield to Bath rather than vice-versa - to go north, Batman One is easier.

This is a different and complementary route to Batmar one. While you don't get the big, swooping valley ascents/descents or some of the longer views of that option, it is still lovely, there is far less hill climbing, and it takes a flat, off-road waterside route into Bath city centre, which I like better than the urban approach taken by Batmar one. Navigation is also a bit more straightforward and obvious.

I walked from Marshfield to Bath - the downhill, easier way. The first half, from Marshfield to Batheaston is a typical countryside walk, first to the edge of the Cotswold Plateau and then down through the fields of the lower Cotswold valleys, all on well-used footpaths. The rest of it is is a largely flat stroll through the river-meadows by the Avon and then along the canal towpath, which leads pretty much all the way into the centre of Bath.

It starts out of Marshfield with a couple of kilometres through gently rolling pastures, followed by a few hundred metres on a minor road with light traffic, before turning back into the fields at the edge of the Cotswold Plateau and descending into the valleys, gently at first, and then with a short steep descent through a scrubby field (which is full of wildflowers in the season). It then fiddles its way gently down the valley through fields and woods and along some corners of minor roads, picking up the well-signed Limestone Link after a while..

There is a small stream across the path (pictured) just as you turn in off Oakford Lane, which I have never noticed before so it must barely exist in the summer, and I missed the right line of the footpath approaching the house and yard at Oakford Farm, which is the kind of thing that happens to me when I walk in familiar places and don't pay enough attention to the map. The path goes over an old wooden stile a little down the hedge and not through the footpath gate in a big metal gate by the wall of the farmyard (which, in my defence, does say loudly 'path through here'). I knocked on the door of the farm (which I know from voluntary work with a wildlife conservation group), to ask if they could mark the electric fence which ran in front of the gate and the farmer, having patiently explained that I was on the wrong line, realised he'd forgotten to put a sign on another fence further down the hill and went out to put that right, so I hadn't disturbed him for nothing. Anyway, I have to say, it is unusual for this farm to have electric fences across the footpaths in the first place. They have been farming for nature for decades and keep beautiful Red Devon Cattle to graze their wildflower meadows.

Just before the end of the valley, the Slow Way takes to the road through the old Bath stone village of Northend (here, the Limestone Link veers off in a loop through the fields to the west instead. It is a nice walk if you want to do that but more hilly and more effort).

At Batheaston, where there are shops etc., the Slow Way arrives the River Avon valley. The plotted route goes down some steep steps here but you can also jink go round by the road instead. To reach the ongoing path, you cross the road and head through the car park and take the cycle path over the river on a modern footbridge. From now on you are now in the laid-back world of dog-walking, leisure strolling, cycling and narrowboats.

Across the next road, you follow an access road to a farm and then use grassy footpaths through meadows which are now owned by the National Trust. It is all open access, so you can make your way through as you please. Part way along, the path goes underneath the bridges of a massive concrete bypass.

At the end of the fields the Slow Way exits through a kissing gate and joins a hard access path up a gentle slope to the canal and winds its way into town on the towpath. There is some upping and arounding as the path swaps sides of the canal at a couple of bridges but it is a delightful walk.

The route finishes along Widcombe High Street, which has shops and cafes, before heading over the canal on a footbridge and through a tunnel to reach the railway and bus station area, with Bath City Centre ahead of you.

Public Transport is excellent from Bath. It is more of a challenge from Marshfield but there are a few buses that go there daily during the week (I got there fine fro Bristol).

The Cotswold part of the route has the usual countryside hazards: some steeper and rougher terrain, plenty of livestock, and locally muddy and even boggy paths in winter. There are one or two stiles but it is mostly kissing gates and footpath gates. Signage is good. The way into Bath along the Avon Valley has some steps and sometimes muddy sections of path through the meadows but also a lot of hard surfaces, and it is easy walking. Bear in mind that the meadows by the Avon are part of a floodplain and do occasionally get inundated and impassable in winter.

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