I was also pleasantly surprised to stumble upon the Avon Riverside railway station, just before leaving the cycle path for the footpath across the fields towards Keynsham - I didn`t know about this station or the Avon Valley Railway that it now supports. Photo 5 - Avon Riverside railway station...

Paul Chilcott

Part of a longer walk over 2 days between Trowbridge and Bristol mainly following the Kennet & Avon Canal and River Avon (Bratro1, Batbra2, Keybat3, Brikey3)....

Paul Chilcott

There was one place (just before the golf course) where a new build blocked the marked path, but there was a very easy work around. The woodland path on the golf course was mostly overgrown but we kept to the edge and no one attacked us with their clubs. Long but easy enough to walk, no good for any sort of wheeled buggy etc....

Christopher Smy

Mostly level path along the canal, short dip to go under and back up over the Avoncliff aqueduct, and steps at bath. The path is almost entirely traffic free, there were one or two industrial vehicles on the path at Bradford on Avon, and quite a few cyclists commuting at the Bath end....

Tristan

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....

Laura Zurowski

As other reviewers have mentioned, almost all this walk is along a canal path. As a visitor from the US, this was quite novel and enjoyable! This walk was done on a Friday under slightly grey/drizzly conditions, but the path was well-maintained, flat, and easy to travel. The only part that required some caution in wet conditions was in Bath, near the start, where a walker must descend a stone-paved path to reach the canal. In addition to being a very beautiful walk full of lush foliage and native flowering plants, there were opportunities for food/drink/restrooms every few miles. An added bonus was finding an operational swing bridge, a manual-powered draw bridge, and aqueducts. :-) A walk well worth tired feet! While I'm not a cyclist, the route looks ideal for a bike, and several people passed by during my journey....

Laura Zurowski

Starting in Keynsham, with its shops, cafés and transport links (bus stops, and a railway station not too far from the start point), we head down paved roads until we take a little footbridge over the river Chew, before heading uphill on a short unpaved road. Eventually, we take a footpath down to and over the railway across a footbridge, and, via a tarmac path, with steps in places, downhill towards the river....

Hiking Historian

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....

PaulBBath

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. 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). The plotted route goes down some steep steps here but you can also jink go round by the road instead. 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. 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. 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....

Mockymock

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). 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. 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....

David

I downloaded the gpx file from slowways & then uploaded same to the OS app, so route finding was straightforward....

Twank X

A good route with a mix of fieldy footpaths, disused railways and of course the unique two tunnels. Recommended....

cal2903

Leaving the cycle track to access the riverside path again, involved a slightly tricky, short descent down muddy steps, then under the bridge. Along the footpath between the river and the railway I didn't see much of river except when there were numerous little short paths for anglers. The route into Keynsham was a little bit more fiddly to track as it wiggles through new housing and playing fields....

Mary Oz

There is one hard uphill slog, probably felt worse due to it being in 28 degrees and no shade, but other than this, the route contains gentler up and down hills....

Nicola Taylor

Part of this route takes you through a field before Kings Wood, do not go through the field - when we walked it there had recently been a large fence erected around this field, covered in barbed wire, blocking the route through, there's a path around this field, use this instead....

Jimmy Shakespeare

Footpaths were easy to follow on clear paths as thou make the ascent of Hanging hill the path is quite twisty and the plotted route differs from the actual path but it is clear which is the correct way....

Grant SK

Overall the walk was very enjoyable and apart from the footpath in Corsham which Brian mentioned in his review,which was incorrect,and was rectified by going up the steps as mentioned,and when at top the path forks, take right fork which will then take you back on original route. Apart from a few paths being overgrown with brambles & nettles there were no major problems...

Pete

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. 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. 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 is a visitor centre and café (with toilets) about half a kilometre off the route, following the Somerset Coal Canal branch from Dundas Aqueduct....

Mary Oz

It felt like the route divided up into four parts of fairly equal length in terms in character. I came through this quarter of the route with legs sore from nettles and brambles, and there was also one section where whatever crop (see pic) it is that’s grown thick and bushy, and 4 to 5 feet high by late May seemed to have completely swamped the path across it, and I was forced to take a detour! It’s a great choice of route, since you don’t really feel like you’re in the city till the very last few hundred metres...

JerB

This is a great walk but could be enhanced with a slight deviation from the centre of Frome by taking the route through the cheese and grain car park and walking along the edge of the river past Welshmill Park and then through Spring Gardens to rejoin the walk at Coalash Lane....

Juliet Morgan

It is identical to Batfro two other than the section coming from Frome direction, from just before the tunnel entrance....

Brian

I recorded and submitted this route, in response to the review of Batfro 1 by Panifex....

Brian

Coming from Frome direction on the cycle track, pass the Tucking Mill gate ( on right ) and continue on the next galv gate on left, go through this and slog uphill....

Brian

A variation at the start: when I'm in Bath I usually pick up the canal by going over Pulteney Bridge, up Great Pulteney Street and then through Sydney Gardens....

James Cole

This route is well marked, flat and smooth, off road and direct: It's a no brainer....

Slow Ways Darren

and possibly the best way to walk between Keynsham and Bath. Everyone in Keynsham and Bath should give it a go!...

danravenellison

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

Brian

This is a lovely walk from Wick to Bath, with excellent views of Bristol, a chance to punt at the racecourse during the season and to visit the wonderful Mr B's bookshop in the centre of Bath. There is little I can add to the other reviews. It's slippy at times around Lansdown; the descent into Bath might test your acceptance of the privileged in society, but don't let that stop you....

Steve_Roser

The plot routes through a little corner of woodland on the way into and out of the edge of Bath, but this has been fenced off because the ash dieback in it is severe and the likelihood of falling trees and branches high. Going east it is now necessary to descend into the south-eastern corner of the field to join the road (w3w nuns.month.fumes) or, going west, to keep on to the end of the road instead of turning up into the woods....

Mockymock

At the start in Bath the map is slightly misleading as it's not possible to access the footpath alongside the river - the best route is to cross the footbridge over the river, then cross the two main roads using the pedestrian crossings , then turn left to walk along Widcombe High St (several cafes and pub) and on up to Widcombe Hill....

Richard Craft

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....

Richard Craft

Like everyone else, I encountered the route issue at the start, simply put the route is not as Slow Way, as no fp exists off the main road....

Brian

For this reason alone I uploaded Wicbat two, which irons out the route error at the start. I took the opportunity to alter the route slightly in Bath, to take in the Royal Crescent. Other than that, the route is the same...

Brian

The two kinks are easily avoided, Priest Barrow is a pointless bit of route plotting, as the route on the ground overrides it, and the second, at the top of Bear Flat in Bath, is again not required, by crossing the main road at the Bear pub, and dropping straight down Holloway ( both safer road crossing, shorter, and no steps !) A fine addition to the network...

Brian

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...

Pete

The only real negatives are the 1 mi section at the beginning to the A4, crossing the A4 itself, and the adjacent Trading estate....

Brian

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....

panifex

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

I also think lukeh missed a trick on this route, if you cut out Gooseberry Lane ( north face of the Eiger ) and 13 steps, and use Steel Mills instead, the route would be acceptable for people of limited mobility, wheelchairs/pushchairs, and mob scooters....

Brian

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....

Brian

There are steep sections as you come out of Bath, but this is unavoidable, and in fact the route this slow way takes through Bath is really great. It isn't possible to follow the exact route shown by the gpx file - instead you have to take the righthand (west) of the two footpaths (if you take the other one, like I did, you either have to make a long diversion, or climb over some 6 foot high gates...)....

panifex

I undertook this walk in reverse, from Marshfield down into Bath, and recorded the route as 8.10 mi, with an ascent of 1023', but if undertaken from Bath the ascent is 1545'! Undertaken on an extremely hot day, so the slopes were a tad challenging.For aficionados of pedestrian / field / and kissing gates.......this is the walk for you, nearly 30 in total, together with a couple of stiles, and multiple steps......marvelous If undertaking from Marshfield, beware a couple of paths not to take which on the ground appear the clear route, ie in the first field from Marshfield, obviously 99 % of all foot traffic takes the middle path, whereas you need to follow the left hand path...

Brian

The route is a curate's egg, with the foregoing problems and the 0.80 mi section of pavement alongside the A4 which is hardly scenic, against the sections from along the river into Bath are great, it also cuts out a 2.3 mi long section of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path which one shares with significant numbers of very fast cyclists. I also ignored the final section into Bath from Nelson Place West, preferring to staff on the river path to the station....

Brian

Personally, I only gave it three stars, as ideally a route which cut out the most ( or all of the A4 ) and the remainder being the riverside walk into Bath would merit 5 stars...

Brian

I slightly deviated from the route as it came into Bath, as the drop down onto the river path just before Rotork was completely overgrown, it made more sense to continue along the railway path right to the end, then walking on the lit pavement on Brassmill Lane, joining the river path just after Osborne Road....

Brian

Reasonably good route; only issues are with several fields that during spring and summer are growing large crops that make passage difficult and/or uncomfortable due to their size. Would recommend using some judgement at several points to take a lane around the slightly more direct field. Was also chased by a herd of cows and had to jump a farmer’s fence....

Bryan Johnson

A beautiful, easy to navigate walk that seems to me to meet the criteria for a good slow way....

panifex

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....

Mockymock

Sounds obvious but walking from Bath centre out into the wild country in a few miles was great....

Meg

Great route, it was really easy to follow on my watch, with lots of beautiful woodland and footpaths the whole way. Only small part where I struggled and had to do a bit of searching was just south-west of Corsham. The path went through someone's private drive, I would recommend going down Greenhill and the across via Sheppards which is the way I took in the end (see screenshot)...

Dan

The double back at Beach Farm to stay on track (as per the review from Suze) can be seen in picture 4....

Jamsarnie

This is a cracking Cotswold edge walk , one of several possible routes down the beautiful St Catherines Valley from the lovely village of Marshfield into the Georgian gem that is Bath....

Steve_Roser

The route makes its way over the plateaus and into the delightful stream-cut folds of this beautiful part of the lower Cotswolds, with a couple of moderate hill climbs and plenty of views. It passes through the lovely St Catherines Valley, with its mixture of pastures and woodlands, then crosses the skylark-favoured expanse of the long-abandoned wartime airfield at Charmy Down and eventually skirts the ramparts of the ancient fort at Solsbury Hill, before heading into the city via the likeable laid-back suburb of Larkhall (which has good local shops, cafes etc) and along the canal path. The only awkward place is the short section along the scrubby side of Solsbury Hill where it can get squelchy underfoot at wet times of year and the path through isn't always obvious and not quite as shown on the OS map....

Mockymock

It's a great route, easy to navigate, direct, and less hilly than I expected....

panifex

I share the two previous reviews, and the Panifex review has two valid issues. For logistical reasons I undertook the route from Corsham to Bath, and encountered the two problems highlighted. From ST 85704 68967 to ST 85666 68934 is impossible to take, follow path on ground coming out in 'Shepherds', then turn right up set of steps ( ST 85734 68916 ) rejoining the route at ST 85666 68934...

Brian

2 ) Kingsdown Golf Course, rather than going across a very active course, running the risk of being hit by a golf ball, this goes around the perimeter on a created 'Woodland Walk'...

Brian

The way out of Keynsham is mostly through a park by the River Chew, followed by a couple of beautiful miles along the River Avon Path before joining up with the dependable Bristol to Bath cycle path....

Mockymock

A functional route between Bath and Saltford - really simple to navigate, accessible and broadly flat for the entire route....

panifex

We went down Manor Road a short distance and found a stone stile on the left (photo number 2 in the original survey) which linked us with the path. As you approach Hanging Hill, look out for the footpath sign on the right, pointing to the path on the left, Photo 3....

Suze

We did Bath to Farmborough and skipped the last kink up Priest Barrow as we had longer to go pst Farmborough. All signs very easy to follow, good mixture of terrain....

Dommo

The route does a slightly odd "kink" at the end on the walk down into the city centre - there is a much more obvious and well trodden route into Bath - but this is a very minor issue, and not worth worrying about really - the route suggested still works fine....

panifex

There is the Angelfish Cafe just off the Brassknocker Basin, and also the Hartley Farm Shop and Cafe just off route ( 200 metres ) close to end of middle third....

Brian

The route is wheelchair / pushchair / mobility scooter friendly, as the majority of route is canal towpath, with the remainder being pavement out of Bath, and ditto into Melksham....

Brian

This route is not suitable for people in pushchairs/wheelchairs, or mobility scooters, as there is a set of 15 steps 1 mile into the route from Bath. Hence why only 1 star. The route is perfectly suitable for able bodied walkers...

Brian

Having compiled, and walked the route, I can confirm that it is suitable for individuals in wheelchairs/pushchairs or on mobility scooters....

Brian

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....

panifex

An enjoyable walk which i did on a cold January evening using a headtorch!...

Adamufa

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....

JohnMyerson

Having compiled this route, and provided a review of the reason why, now having walked / surveyed the route, I want to add further comments....

Brian

2) The route through Thorn woods, just after Box heading to Hazelbury Manor seems to take the steepest possible route for no obvious reason (and it really is steep - I had to rest half way up). It would be worth investigating the path around the edge of the woods, to see if this would be preferable. 1) Kingsdown Golf Club seems to be criss-crossed with rights of way, but none of them are obvious on the ground, and the one chosen for this route goes right down the middle of the fairway. Really really not ideal. I improvised by walking under trees where I could, but I still had to cross the fairway. There are no obvious "permissive" routes provided by the club either. Obviously, the best answer would be for the golf club to provide a sensible route through. But in the meantime, some more work needs to be done to work out a safe way across the course - maybe the path I've highlighted in the attached photo would be better - perhaps the next walker could try it out. The alternative would be to walk all the way around Lower Kingsdown Road and avoid the golf course altogether....

panifex

Walked this route, Keynsham to Bath, with an alternative start to take advantage of walking along the Chew and Avon rivers , the Bitton - Bath railway Sustain cycle route and nearby Kelston Road Top. I will add the alternative start as KeyBat three as a more scenic route out of Keynsham avoiding the suburban issues raised in the first review. Would thoroughly recommend this route (with alts)....

martinb

There is a nice pub with magnificent views (and toilets) in Avoncliff...

Cata

Mainly level, easy route principally on the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath. Surface generally OK but, in places, can be very puddly after rain....

Richard Craft

This is a very good shortcut walk between Bath and Bradford on Avon which goes over two hills so you'll need some extra energy (particularly the bit between Dundas Aqueduct and Claverton Down if you are going towards Bath)! It's 6 miles compared to 9+ miles if you follow the equally picturesque Batbra two route that follows the canal....

eberlin

This route is significantly longer than Batbra one, as it follows the canal, and whilst originally compiled as a route to suit individuals with mobility issues, and wheelchair / pushchair/mobility scooters, this is not applicable, as 1 mi in, there is a set of 15 steps up to Georges Place. I have compiled / walked / surveyed and reviewed Batbra three which is wheelchair friendly. Other than that Batbra two is fine...

Brian

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

Brian

A significantly longer route than Batmel ( which is unachievable ) which is NOT wheelchair/pushchair friendly, without field paths with stiles. For a wheelchair friendly route, see Batmel four...

Brian

My wife is very nervous of cows and bullocks so we had to divert from the route on 3 occasions to avoid fields they were in, eventually giving up and taking an alternative route into Bradford upon Avon....

Jon Allman

Following the route, I had to double back twice, so unfortunately cannot recommend the route in its present form....

Smatticus1991

A very direct, hilly route between these two historic towns....

HughWilliamson