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SWC (Free) Walks

Walk 6 : Bradford-upon-Avon to Bath

Follow the tranquil Kennet and Avon Canal through a pretty valley between the historic towns of Bradford-upon-Avon and Bath

Length	9 miles
Toughness	2 out of 10
Maps	Map 1 : Bradford Staion then West to Avoncliffe Station (Bradford is the station on the right) Map 2 : Follow canal West then North to Dundas Aqueduct Map 3 : Follow canal North towards Bathampton Map 4 : Past Bathampton to outskirts of Bath Map 5 : Bath
Features	This lovely and very easy walks starts in the beautiful historic town of Bradford-upon-Avon, and follows the Kennet and Avon canal through a beautiful valley, crossing the river Avon twice on aqueducts. The walk finishes in Bath.
Walk Options	Longer Alterntives You could carry on along the canal, or a cyclepath along a disused railway line, all the way to Bristol. You can do the walk in reverse, starting at Bath, and continue along the canal
Transport	Bradford-upon-Avon and Bath are on the same direct railway line from Waterloo. As these staions are outside the Network Railcard area, book either book 1 (Super Advance) or 7 (Apex) days in advance for a significant discount. It may be quicker to travel out (and certainly much quicker to return) to London Paddington, however, this option is much more expensive. If driving, there is a car park at Bradford-upon-Avon train station, and a free visitors car-park by the canal. Return to your car by train from Bath (about 10 mins).
History	Both Bath and Bradford-upon-Avon are both major tourist attractions. Both are well worth seeing.
Saturday Walkers Club	For the normal walk, the train nearest to 9.00 from Waterloo.
Lunch	There are several pubs and tea rooms en-route.

Walking Instructions

This is a very easy to follow walk, just follow the canal! (NB not the river - there is an River Avon walkway for much of the route as well

[See Map 1] Exit Bradford-upon-Avon station, walk to your right, past the car park, to the road junction.
Either Turn Left to explore the town, or to continue the main walk, Turn Right.
Continue for 200 meters. Pass Pound Lane, and then a park, on your right hand side.
Just before the hump back bridge over the canal, veer right on a small road. Follow it for 20 meters to the canal towpath. There are 2 pubs here.
Turn right along the canal, and then follow the towpath, with the canal on your left hand side.
After 3 km/2 miles, just past a pub, you come to an aqueduct (a bridge carrying the canal), from which you can see Avoncliff Station and a weir.
Just before the aqueduct, cross under the canal to the other side, and continue on in the same direction, but now on the other bank of the canal.
[See Map 2] After 2km/1.5 miles, Feshford Station is visible on the other side of the Valley
After 2 km/1.5 miles, the canal crosses back over the river at Dundas Aqueduct, and you come to a canal T junction.
Turn left for a pub, but to continue, cross over the canal, and turn right towards Bath.
[See Map 3 and then Map 4] After a 3.5km/2 miles, you reach Bathampton, which has a riverside pub.
[See Map 4] After 2 km/1.5 miles, follow the towpath under a fine house. This is close to Bath town centre. Turn right at this point for a shortcut into the town centre.
After 1 km/0.7 miles, the canal come into the open again. The river is visible below to the right, and the train station becomes visible on the other side of the river. Keep following the canal towpath, crossing over a few roads, and passing some locks.
Leave the canal just before it finaly joins the river. Walk up to the road, and take the footbridge over the river towards the station. Walk under the tunnel (beneath the platforms), and Bath station entrance is on your left hand side.