Bath — Melksham

Batmel three
Not verified

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Batmel here.

By Brian on 14 May 2021

Distance

20km/12mi

Ascent

285m

Descent

270m

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So far it has been reviewed by five people and surveyed by one person and there is one issue flagged with this route.

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Description

This route is a substitute for Batmel one, which cannot be undertaken as there is no crossing the River Avon at Claverton

This route is a substitute for Batmel one, which cannot be undertaken as there is no crossing the River Avon at Claverton

Status

This route has been reviewed by 5 people.

This route has been flagged (1 time) for reasons relating to access.

Photos for Batmel three

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

Information

Not verified

Route status - Live

Reviews - 5

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (4) No (1)

Problems reported -  Access (1)

Downloads - 30

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 3X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.
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.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Not present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
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)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Maybe present 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)
Not 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)
Present at time of survey 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)
Not 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)
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)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not 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)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
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 50.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 40.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 40.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 5.0% (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.

Present at time of survey Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard mobility scooter (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

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.

Present at time of survey Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged pram (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Not present at time of survey Standard mobility scooter (1)
Not present at time of survey Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Terrain

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

45.0% of the route is on roads (1)

15.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

60.0% of the route is paved (1)

10.0% of the route is muddy (1)

20.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

5.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X November 2021 by Brian
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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
Melksham
Grid Ref ST9045663638
Lat / Lon 51.37172° / -2.13849°
Easting / Northing 390,456E / 163,638N
What3Words amplified.diverged.digestion

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

reviews

Brian

30 Jan 2023 Winter
Report

Stile now installed ( Jan '23 ) at problem location.

Pete

23 Sep 2022 Autumn
Report

Walked Melksham to Bath. Problem with stile at ST89409 64054 as previously mentioned, see photo, which had barbed wire & wooden bar on far side necessitating crawling underneath.Path after next stile overgrown but path then turns right past solar farm. The walk after that was excellent especially the view of Bath as we walked into city.

Panifex

10 Sep 2022 Summer
Report

Absolutely fabulous all the way to Broughton Giffard, but then a nightmare after that. Difficult to follow, and in one key location a completely non-existent footpath. Unfortunately I can’t recommend it as is - it needs a redraft.

  • panifex

    Panifex

    15 Sep 2022

    I thought should add some extra notes to this review. The problematic bit of path is between ST 88909 63988 and ST 89214 64014. Looking at Google maps, it looks as if there is a way around to the north, following the edge of the solar farm - but this is not on a public footpath, and is not signposted - the footpath signs direct you through the impassable terrain (and indeed, checking on the Wiltshire online definitive map, that is the case). I thought I could add photos here, but it seems not...

    In addition, in the next field (ST 89409 64054), the stile was a feet of gymnastics to climb over. it is more of an obstacle than a means of passage. I struggled, and fell awkwardly on the far side and was lucky not to hurt myself.

  • Brian

    Brian

    23 Dec 2022

    Apologies for the delay in responding to these reviews. It may well be as a resident of West Wiltshire, I have become inured to the problems within the Wiltshire network. Coming from Bath to Melksham, taking the various points raised
    1) A timber kissing gate exists at ST889 639, an it is waymarked in both directions.
    2 ) Agreed, the route through the copse leaves a lot to be desired, frankly I think they have planted far too many trees, or intend at a future date, to remove some, or it will be seriously overcrowded.
    As stated, if heading towards Bath, DO NOT take the adjacent green margin next to the solar farm, you will end up trying to cross a 2 metre deep ditch ( into which I fell )
    3 ) The stile at ST 894 640 is a disgrace to Wiltshire ROW department
    I do not agree the route needs redrafting, but believe what is needed is Wiltshire Council undertaking the necessary works to create a mown track through the copse, and a installing a appropriate stile / kissing gate to replace the dangerous one
    I posted both these issues onto the Wiltshire Council website and App ( MyWilts ) item 3 as DANGEROUS, and I would urge Panifex and Pete ( and anyone else who walks this route ) to register these issues. The more complaints, the more likely to be addressed. Austerity is still alive and well in Wiltshire, hence why ROW Department is VERY slow to act.

  • Brian

    Brian

    30 Jan 2023

    Further update : from points listed 23/12
    2) I am pleased to report that both issues have been addressed by Wiltshire ROW Department, the route through the copse, whilst not perfect is pretty good. I intend to revisit and install further waymarks within the copse.
    3) A new timber stile has been installed at ST 894 640 which is really good. ( see photo )
    I now consider the route from Bath to Melksham to be fine

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Brian

07 Nov 2021 Autumn
Report

Having compiled this route, and provided a review of the reason why, now having walked / surveyed the route, I want to add further comments.
The route is 13.10 mi long as recorded by GPS
The route has a large amount of paved sections on quiet roads and tracks
There are three steep sections, 1 paved out of Bath, and two : 1 down, 1 up in the Midford Valley.
The section around Broughton Gifford may have crops.

Brian

14 May 2021 Spring
Report

This route is a substitute for Batmel one which is unachievable.

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Overall ratings

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Bath—Melksham

Batmel two

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Distance

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Ascent

286 m

Descent

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Bath—Melksham

Batmel four

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Distance

27km/17mi

Ascent

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Descent

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