Radbat one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

In my case I went Bath to Radstock as part of a much longer walk. I did it in 2 bits 1) Bath Centre up to the Odd Down Park & Ride (9/5/2023) & 2) Odd Down to Radstock & Midsomer Norton (30/11/2023). Radbat 1was a good walk and the 4 previous reviews were helpful. The walk up out of Bath is steep, I just followed the main road steadily up past the Bear pub (via Holloway), it gets easier as you go up (I thought), pavements all the way up to the Red Lion island and then just a short walk to the Odd Down Park & Ride, just over an hour. Some good views around here south & west. Part 2 (30/11/2023) in different weather (misty) but it was still ok, ground is quite high here (c150m). Avoiding the main roads I circled right out of the park & ride and then walked a marked footpath through fields on the route proper now until it touches the A367 then there is a sharp left turn downwards following the bridleway/ old Roman road downhill in err..a straight line. Part tarmac, part rough cobbled, the road this track took me steeply down into Dunkerton to cross the main road (would be difficult with wheels this bit) & once over the main road, straight back up the hill (bridleway) to the traffic island north of Peasedown St. John (PSJ), some real ups & downs. It's ok to follow the main road into PSJ here but the footpath is sometimes narrow. PSJ is a straight road all on the level, I walked through to the centre past the Co-op & turned left here into Braysdown Lane to get off the main road. This way you have to cross the PSJ ring road (fast cars) but after that, the lane gently then sharply descends towards Radstock, not too much traffic. On a good day this would be very pretty. As the road gets to the bottom of the valley you come across a cycleway on your right (old converted railway line) which will give you a steady run into the centre of Radstock at the old mine wheel (I didn't know that there were coal mines here once), I didn't bother going through the woods. I enjoyed it as a walk, a lot of up and downs but nice rolling countryside with good views sometimes. The descent into Dunkerton, and out again, on a track might be hard work for those on wheels. Would recommend it as a good walk though.

I undertook this walk from Radstock to Bath yesterday, and due to the recent period of fine weather, there were no issues with mud. I'm glad its not just me that thinks steep hills are steep, the early stage in Radstock up Woodborough Rd, and the Fosse Way from Dunkerton Hill were a bit sporty. TBH as someone who worked for many years in Bath, as I came down the Holloway, I was on autopilot, and just followed the pavement to the right of the Armco barrier ( opp No 21 ) straight down, through the underpass and came to the station via Dorchester St.
I agree with the review regarding joining the Fosse Way off the A361 at Dunkerton Hill ( The route drafting is poor on the website / gpx download ). Take the tarmac track by ROSEMARY COTTAGE and TRYL BRAE, its a sharp right off the road ( ST 71594 59548 )
I am tempted to upload another route which irons out this issue.
P St John is just outside the middle third, but has many facilities, and the Prince of Wales pub ( in the middle third ) was shut for refurbishment ( Aug 22 )
En route there were 4 field gates, 2 timber k gates, 2 galv k gates, 1 galv ped gate w upstand, 1 timber bridge, a couple of steps and no stiles
I recorded the route by gps as 8.37 mi.

Good, direct and easily navigable route.(though see brief note below for clarification). Deserves its place in the network.Plenty of hill climbing and descent and it is a mixture of rural and urban/suburban, so has quite a workaday feel at times and some pounding of pavements, but nice views around, particularly at the Bath end, and a lovely descent into town through Bear Flat, overlooking the city centre.

Just note that if coming from Radstock towards Bath, that the plot is a tad unhelpful when you regain the Fosse Way after crossing the main road at Dunkerton. The way in is opposite the bus stop.

A great route from Radstock to Bath. The route is easy to follow - I had no navigation issues. The section from Radstock to Peasedown is along roads, tracks and well marked footpaths. The walk through Peasedown is street walking, mostly on pavements. The climb out of Dunkerton on the Fosse Way is quite steep and long, but this is unavoidable to achieve a reasonably direct route - and as the previous reviewer said, the views across Combe Haye when you get to the Bath end are stunning, so the climb is well worth it. The route chosen down into Bath is also a good one - easy street walking, revealing glimpses of stunning vistas of Bath, and envy inspiring houses. All in all, an excellent walk, definitely worthy of its place as a Slow Way.

I enjoyed this walk in spite of the Fosse Way being quite muddy in sections and the very steep hill from Dunkerton. Excellent views over Combe Hay from path behind waste disposal works. The route is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Busy main road to cross in Dunkerton. Several gates to negotiate. Shops in Peasedown (where I started the route) and Bath centre.
I've just done the rest of the route from Radstock (December 2023). Steep uphill from Radstock then following footpath signs across three fields to a farm track and 250 metres along Braysdown Lane with no footpath. The path through the third arable field is not clear but heading straight down the hill I did manage to find the path in the hedge and a kissing gate before crossing a wooden bridge. Not too much mud! Good views to south across Writhlington village.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.