Bath Skyline Walk

Enjoy wonderful views of the city of Bath on this popular circular walk. The walk has been devised by the National Trust so takes place on waymarked, well maintained footpaths....
The walk begins on Bathwick Hill and then heads south to Widcombe passing Smallcombe Wood. The wood is an excellent place for birdwatching with nuthatch, wrens and blackcap to look out for. The route continues past the stunning Prior Park with its beautiful lakes and Palladian Bridge. You then cross Claverton Down before turning north towards Claverton where you will find the excellent American musuem. The path continues north towards Bathampton where there is a nice woodland section through Bathampton Woods. You then turn south through more woodland to Sham Castle, an 18th-century folly which makes a good spot to rest and enjoy the wonderful views. The final section takes you from the castle to Bathwick Hill and the finish point. It's a splendid walk with varied scenery and consistently wonderful views over Bath towards the Mendip Hills.
At Bathampton you can pick up the Kennet and Avon Canal and try the Bath to Bradford Upon Avon Canal Walk.
The route will take you from Somerset into Wiltshire along the towpath of the canal.
Pubs and More Info
On the route you could stop off at the excellent Bathampton Mill. This fine restaurant is located in a lovely spot on the river in the village. There's a lovely large garden and courtyard area where you can relax with views over the water. Inside there's a sylish interior with a log fire and delicious Mediterranean cuisine to sample from the menu. You can find them right on the river on Mill Lane with a postcode of BA2 6TS for your sat navs. There's also a large car park if you wanted to start a walk from there.
On the western side of Bath there's the noteworthy village of Newton St Loe to visit. It includes the attractive Newton College and Newton Park where there's an 18th-century landscaped garden, designed by the famous landscape gardener Capability Brown. There's also a historic 18th century country house and a fine 17th century pub to see too.
On the north western outskirts of the city there's the little village of Kelston where you can pick up the Kelston Roundhill Walk. This popular circular walk takes you up to an ancient barrow where there are wonderful views to the Wiltshire Downs, the Mendip Hills and the Black Mountains of Wales. There's also a fine 17th century pub to visit in the village afterwards.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Somerset Walks page.

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Nearby Routes

Bath Canal Walk Kennet and Avon Canal Walk Bathampton Norton St Philip

Photos

Claverton Down. From the footpath, a view past sheep grazing around a fallen tree-trunk, to housing on the southeast side of Claverton Down. Primarily a rural area with relatively few houses, it is home to the University of Bath, the headquarters of Wessex Water and a private golf course, the Bath Golf Course.

The skyline of Bath from Bathwick Fields.
Lovely buttercup filled meadows above Bath, which you walk though on the National Trust created "Bath Skyline Walk"

View from Bath Skyline Walk. A morning shot; these slopes of Claverton Down are west-facing, but the sun is on the city centre.

The American Museum near Claverton. The museum is well worth a visit if you have time. It takes you on a journey through the history of America with exhibitions and a fine collection of folk and decorative arts. There's also 125 acres of grounds with views of the Limpley Stoke Valley and the River Avon.

Path on Claverton Down. This path is part of the Bath Skyline Walk, although the view here is obscured by the thin belt of trees on the right.

The Palladian Bridge, Prior Park. This architectural masterpiece is one of the key features of this wonderful National Trust owned park. It was built in 1755, and is the last of three of its kind built in England. The bridge was created by Ralph Allen, with advice from famous landscape gardener 'Capability' Brown and the poet Alexander Pope.

Sham Castle, Bathampton. The walk passes this Grade II listed folly, located on Claverton Down. It is a screen wall with a central pointed arch flanked by two 3-storey circular turrets, which extend sideways to a 2-storey square tower at each end of the wall. The folly dates to 1762 and is illuminated at night.

Houses, Bathwick Hill, Bath. This noteworthy street contains several historic houses, many of which are designated as listed buildings. The hill climbs south east from the A36 towards the University of Bath on Claverton Down, providing views over the city.

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