After leaving Frome there were no real problems until we walked out of Beckington and found that two fields ST80797 52316 the footpath was planted with maize which was 5ft high necessitated walking around the narrow overgrown perimeter of the fields.Further on the path again disappeared under more maize, ST 81848 53644 heading for Monkley Lane, again having to walk around the overgrown perimeter. Our next problem occurred at Hoopers Farm, ST 82968 54551, where the fp signs were non existent and the path route has been fenced off into separate paddocks for horses. We eventually reached Trowbridge without further problems....

Pete

The walk followed the river until it turned off into an housing estate which caused some confusion, however having crossing the A361 open countryside beckoned and despite fields with cows and ‘Beware of the Bull’ signs the walk was pleasant.As mentioned in previous report by Brian the footpath had been altered around Heath House Farm which caused confusion. The walk continued over fields and excellent views of Cley Hill until the outskirts of Warminster where the remainder of the walk was along pavements along a busy road for 1.75 miles to the centre of Warminster...

Pete

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

Frobra one is possibly dangerous, in having to cross the A361, and Frobra two is currently impossible...

Brian

The roads are in the main quiet village roads, but you do have to cross the A36 as you leave Beckington. I didn’t give it 5*s because of the steps which might mean access issues for some walkers and the need to cross over the A36 and climb over the crash barrier to pick up the footpath which might be an access issue and can be challenging at busy times....

Anna-Marie Bartlett

Great walk, easy route to follow. Some hills and styles but lovely views as well. Muddy in parts at this time of year....

Juliet Morgan

The routes to the east of the B3090, have to cross the very busy A361, whereas this route to the west of the B3090 is slightly longer, is both far safer, and significantly more attractive...

Brian

A tweak to FroBra three, which cuts out a challenging section behind the Creamery, and some difficult stiles....

Brian

It cuts out the difficult section from Oldford to Beckington, in favour of a quiet lane, and a longer section of the Macmillan Way...

Brian

I found the section from Oldford behind the Creamery factory challenging in summer, it was heavily overgrown with brambles, and I kept falling in the dry ditch ( full of water in winter )....

Brian

The shortest route between these two places is as Frotro one, ie along the pavement adjacent to the road as far as Oldford, whilst not the most scenic, it is the shortest at about 3.50 mi....

Brian

The locked gate that both Brian and I came across last time was not locked this time - I do wonder if we both just missed the not quite obvious latch?...

panifex

Whilst still recovering from invasive treatment for Plantar Fasciitis, I managed to walk a series of routes between Beckington and Frome, and whilst on paper it looks ok, in reality the fp between Berkley Lane, and Whitechapel Lane, doesn't exist....

Brian

A couple of dodgy ones though and care needed crossing the 3 lanes on the A36....

Nick Clark

This is a fantastic walk, mostly along the well used and well waymarked East Mendip Way, diverting to visit Leigh-Upon-Mendip at the half-way point. The route out of Shepton is possibly a little confusing for anyone not acquainted with the town - but it is well mapped, so no problems if you follow the route. The diversion from the East Mendip Way to Leigh upon Mendip is necessary to make this route compliant to the Slow Ways methodology (and the church and pub there are well worth a visit - and it is possible to make yourself a cup of tea in the church for a small donation). The trick is to NOT join the road - even though the sign there has an old East Mendip Way sticker on it - but rather follow the path round to the left....

panifex

Once of of the town the walk improved until we got to The Pines Residential Site were the foot path was blocked between the site and Whitechapel Lane. and made it un walkable spoke to a resident at Whitechapel Lane who said the path had been blocked for the last 20 years. After this the walk was enjoyable and was easy to follow....

Pete

I walked this route today and it was just as good as I imagined. Crossing the A36 was the least pleasant part of the route (and the reason I've only given this 4 stars...) but I only had to wait probably less than a minute. There is another steep set of steps to descend from the castle to the valley, but then the walk along the valley towards Iford Manor is really lovely. The climb up Iford Hill was not too bad, and the route through the housing estate at Westwood was obvious....

panifex

Next is a short very hillocky section, thereafter a series of long grass fields with broken stiles ( I have reported these to Somerset CC ) Up to, and through Beckington is fine. Post Beckington to Southwick is a series of cropped fields, ploughed out fields, and a few locked field gates....

Brian

There is a new housing estate, and the route on the ground follows Nelson Ward Drive all the way into the centre...I think it is a slightly less convoluted route. Over 6.5 mi of 8 mi are pavement, or tarmac track, but the short steep drop into Vallis Vale is why I rated the route with only two stars...

Brian

I undertook this route from Frome to Radstock, after nearly falling down the steep slope into Vallis Vale off the East Mendip Way....

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

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

I walked this route from Warminster, and it is generally a very pleasant route, following pavement, and field tracks with sections of quiet roads, and fields with crops....

Brian

The pavement section down the A3098 is fine, but at Rodden Road, the pavement disappears, and you are required to walk down a BUSY two lane road ( Styles Hill ), with no pavement and past a blind bend....

Brian

Terrain good may be muddy in places during wet spells (ploughed fields)....

Gareth Hiscock

Heading from Frome the paths were in good order with signage, good gates etc until Corsley Mill....

Gareth Hiscock

Goes along the disused railway for most of the way, and then follows the East Mendip Way into Frome. One section through the woods just before Frome is a little tricky (steep and would be slippery in the rain) but other than that this is a great slow way....

panifex

The segment along the A362 is short enough, and after a steep uphill segment after the Slow Way route turns towards Frome Station, there's a long stretch of path along the River. This path is VERY overgrown in parts, and often overgrown with stinging plants! Approaching the B3092 the path goes through a succession of fields (and gates), and the last field had several cows in it. In other segments, the path was very overgrown (again with stinging plants!). Where the Slow Way route goes up Pottle Street a little bit before heading back into the field, just continue straight across and don't go up Pottle Street - there's no path there!...

mtormey

After Dilton Marsh, the path continues through arable fields until reaching a road and railway (path passes under) at Penleigh, after which the route is more urban into Westbury....

StephenGauntlett

- there is one section about a mile or so long which is very difficult and uncomfortable to walk because of unmarked stiles, stiles obscured by thick growth and sections of footpath heavily overgrown....

Richard Craft

I have only walked this route as far as South Brewham, so cannot comment on the remainder. However the section from Colinshayes to S Brewham cannot be followed on the ground without either GPS or map and compass. It is not a beginner's route and not easy to navigate....

James Hood