WALKING Introducing our new step-by-step guide to some of the best walks in Bath

STEP BY STEP

5 4

Little Solsbury Hill

6 Solsbury Lane

Our new regular guide to walking back to happiness in Bath

3

Seven Acres Lane

2

To Bath

North End

Batheaston

River Avon

1 Car Park

BATHSCAPE ©

Following a phone sat-nav does not achieve the same mood-enhancing, off-the-beaten-track results

We all do it, but during lockdown, we really did it. We walked. We walked to get our exercise, we walked to clear our heads, we walked to break up the monotony. We walked walked to break up the monotony. We walked alone, with family, and with friends. The alone, with family, and with friends. The benefi ts were obvious – free, fl exible, caloriesbenefi ts were obvious – free, fl exible, caloriesburning, and mood-enhancing. But there was burning, and mood-enhancing. But there was one huge side eff ect we weren’t expecting – we one huge side eff ect we weren’t expecting – we all fell in love with Bath again. all fell in love with Bath again.

This amazing little city is fl anked by huge This amazing little city is fl anked by huge green spaces we’d taken for granted or not green spaces we’d taken for granted or not even been aware of, and so the walking even been aware of, and so the walking continues. To keep us on the right path (and continues. To keep us on the right path (and not following our phone sat nav because that not following our phone sat nav because that way lies trouble and a dual carriageway), way lies trouble and a dual carriageway), we’ve launched this occasional series of proper, we’ve launched this occasional series of proper, spelt out Bath walks, starting with this fi rst spelt out Bath walks, starting with this fi rst short circular route around Solsbury Hill, short circular route around Solsbury Hill, carefully plotted out by Bathscape, a local carefully plotted out by Bathscape, a local business partnership who run walks and events business partnership who run walks and events to help highlight and preserve the beauty of to help highlight and preserve the beauty of Bath’s landscapes. Bath’s landscapes.

above: Enjoy spectacular far-reaching views below: Bathscape lead guided walks around Bath bottom: Little Solsbury Hill is the site of an Iron Age hill fort

BATHEASTON TO SOLSBURY HILL SHORT WALK 4.5km/2.75 miles by Bathscape Box resident and world famous musician Peter Gabriel famously wrote a song about this place: “Climbing up on Solsbury Hill, I could see the city light, Wind was blowing, time stood still.”

Let’s follow in his footsteps, through the fields of wild flowers, taking in the small turf labyrinth on the hill on the way, (put there in 1994 by a group protesting the widening of the A46), to stand atop the iron age hill fort and admire the panoramic views across Bath. START/FINISH Batheaston Car Park, London Road East, Bath, BA1 7NB Accessibility notes: There are a couple of steep uphill sections and two stiles. The section through the woodland is on a muddy/uneven path. Some of the route is on quiet country lanes, once you’ve crossed the London Road. There are facilities (shops, cafes, pubs, loos) in Batheaston. The car park has only a small number of spaces, and is free for three hours, there are frequent buses to and from the city centre. There may be livestock in the fields and on Solsbury Hill. 1 Leave the car park turning left, crossing the road when it’s safe. As the road bends left, take the steps on the right. Continue from the path onto the road ahead going uphill, and take Solsbury Lane on the left. After 150m towards the top of the rise, take the kissing gate on the right and head down the field towards the church taking the gate on the right back onto the road and continue ahead.

2 Turn left onto Seven Acres Lane. Where the road turns sharp right, take the marked footpath ahead, keeping to the right side of the field. Keep going straight up hill. 3 Half-way up the second field – stick to the path that follows the hedge as it goes sharp right (don’t take the footpath ahead going up hill) – go through the kissing gate. Head uphill diagonally across the field, bearing right, there’s no obvious path. On the opposite side, you’ll see a large gap in the hedge between two trees (with good views of the valley beyond), there’s a footpath sign pointing left, take this (don’t go between the trees, but turn left with the hedge on your right till you get to a narrow gap in the hedge.). The footpath is there, on a narrow, treelined path (trees on both sides) ending in a wooden gate. Keep to the bottom of the field with the hedge on your right. 4 Take the wooden stile into the woodland. The path starts climbing and is quite uneven and likely to be muddy. Continue up through the woods and leave by another stile and continue up into the open space at the top of Solsbury Hill. 5 Ignore the waymarked path going downhill on the right. Take any of the informal paths up to the top of the plateau. There’s a wide footpath around the edge, follow it to the right until you reach the trig point. There are really good views into the east side of Bath, across to Brown’s Folly and to Wiltshire to the left. 6 Carry on following the edge of the plateau until you see some buildings on your right, where you can drop down and join the track with the buildings on your right. Carry on downhill and when you join a road, continue to the left, going downhill. Keep on Solsbury Lane to the end, and then turn right, and retrace your steps to the start, taking the steps on the left down onto the main road.

Bathscape are currently looking for volunteer walk leaders and assistants. For more information visit: www.bathscape.co.uk

LOCATED IN THE WORLD HERITAGE CITY OF BATH, THE MINT ROOM IS AN AWARD WINNING INDIAN SUCCESS.

Our modern and innovative menu will create a memorable Indian dining experience. This includes our infamous “Tour of India” - an adventurous sixcourse tasting menu, allows your palate to Tour the cities of India through renowned traditional dishes.

Our mixologists are at hand to showcase you tantalising spice infused signature cocktails. Our glowing rooftop terrace is open for an Indian Alfresco dining experience and occasional events.

*Covid safety measures have been put in place to maintain the safety of our employees and guests. We also have a built in thermal body temperature monitor for extra protection and assurance.

The Mint Room, Bath. Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB. Tel: 01225 446656 The Mint Room, Bristol. 12-16 Clifton Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1AF. Tel: 0117 329 1300

Email: info@themintroom.co.uk Online: www.themintroom.co.uk

SECOND BRANCH NEWLY OPENED IN THE HEART OF BATH.

A welcoming and innovative Indian Street Food concept with a theatrical kitchen. Bandook has one purpose, bringing food from the streets of Bombay to Bath in order to bring family, friends and children together. You will fi nd traditional dishes with a modern twist such as the iconic, “Grandmas Curry”, enjoy a selection of fl avoursome street Chaats, Taco Dosas, Popular Indian street food consisting of small and large plates, Nizami Biryanis, Karak Chai and Masala inspired signature cocktails.

*Covid safety measures have been put in place to maintain the safety of our employees and guests. We also have a built in thermal body temperature monitor for extra protection and assurance.

Bandook Bath 3-7 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ. Tel: 01225 300600 Bandook Bristol Museum street, Wapping Wharf, Bristol BS1 6ZA. Tel: 0117 336 2845 Email: bath@bandookkitchen.com | www.bandookkitchen.com