ANDREW SWIFT - MARCH v2.qxp_Layout 2 21/02/2022 15:28 Page 1
A view of Bushey Norwood
Green corridors “Some [green corridors] are well-trodden, while others are well-kept secrets. All of them, though, can lead the way to inspirational urban explorations,” says Andrew Swift, who, this month, takes us on a journey to Bath and back
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here’s been much interest of late in green corridors – strips of natural habitat linking town to country. In January, the National Trust announced plans to create 20 such corridors by 2030, improving access to nature for those living in urban areas and enabling birds and animals to move freely from one habitat to another. The first of these corridors will be in Bath, less than 15 minutes from Bristol by train, and will lead eastward along the river to water meadows recently acquired by the Trust after being saved from development. Many green corridors already exist. Some are well-known and welltrodden, while others are well-kept secrets. All of them, though, can lead the way to inspirational urban explorations. And Bath, where you can be walking through untamed woodland or along a wildlife-rich canal towpath less than five minutes after leaving the station, is a great place to demonstrate this. This seven-mile circular walk, which takes in some truly wild countryside, much of it owned by the National Trust, is also packed with the sort of surprises that makes treading the border between town and country so rewarding. One of the highlights is the push-start track where the British bobsleigh and skeleton teams – and the Jamaican bobsleigh team – trained for the Winter Olympics. You’ll also see mysterious standing stones, ancient churches, an 18th-century sham castle and a succession of superb views. Much of the walk lies through woodland, where at this time of year wild garlic grows in abundance, so there’s the opportunity for a spot of foraging as well. THE WALK Arriving at Bath Spa, leave through the ticket barriers at the back of the station, cross a footbridge over the river and carry straight on across two sets of pedestrian lights. Turn right and then left up Lyncombe Hill 50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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before turning right along Calton Road. After 125m, turn left, heading across a patch of grass to a flight of wooden steps which lead to a path through the woods below Beechen Cliff. Carry on across a flight of steps to emerge in Magdalen Gardens, with the Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, founded around 1100, below you. At the end of the park, bear left up steps and follow a steep path as it curves along the edge of the escarpment to emerge in Alexandra Park. Carry on along the edge of the escarpment, and, after the path drops down past a viewing platform, follow it out of the park. After another 50m, go through a kissing gate (KG) on the right to follow a gravel path snaking down through a field. At the end, go through a handgate, turn left down a lane and, when it curves left, carry straight on down Rosemount Lane (ST755637: BA2 4NE). Turn left at the bottom, cross over when you come to the main road and turn right uphill. Take the first left along Church Street, and carry on until you come to Widcombe Manor on the left and St Thomas à Becket church on the right. Just past the church, turn right up Church Lane. After 500m, look to your right to see the lakes at Prior Park – originally fishponds belonging to Bath Abbey – currently being restored. When you reach Fishponds Cottage (ST762634; BA2 6BD), carry straight on up a steep narrow path (don’t go through the KG on the left). When the path emerges in a field, bear left up a stepped path to head diagonally uphill. Continue in the same direction, and at the top, when you come to two KGs, go through the one on the right. Head on up to go through another KG and, after turning to take in the view over the city, turn left alongside the fence. After passing a pond, head up steps. At the top carry straight on and, when you come to a surfaced track, turn left along it. Carry on along the surfaced track for 550m, and, after passing a gate, continue straight on along a lane.
