Avon Valley - Bath Walking Holiday

There are two itineraries available for this tour including a six night, seven day and seven night, eight day vacation with a number of walking trails to enjoy in the Avon Valley.

7 day walking tour misses day 6

Day 1 - Arrive in Bath and check into your accommodation. Why not Spend the evening relaxing in a local restaurant or pub before starting your walking adventure?

Day 2 - Bath City Trail 
The sights of the city are well known and throughout the streets you can see the remains of its Roman predecessor in the famous Roman Baths, while the Abbey Church tells stories of the very different medieval times. There are many grand Georgian buildings from the cities great boom time as a Spa with the Royal Crescent, the Circus and the Pulteney Bridge.

Day 3 - Circular Walk to the south of Bath
Explore the valleys of the Midford and Cam Brooks where the beautiful countryside is filled with the relics of a bygone industrial age. Two railways and a canal once carried coal from Somerset but now crops grow and cows graze beside old locks and quietly crumbling bridges. The peaceful villages of Midford and Combe Hay nestle comfortably in these valleys offering plenty of character and country inns.

Day 4 - Bath to Bradford on Avon
Walk through Widcombe village, a tranquil corner of Bath, to Ralph Allen's Sham Castle then across the Bathampton Downs. Here you join the Skyline Walk with some of the best views north over the city of Bath and east across the wooded Avon Valley. At Claverton Manor you can visit the American Museum in Britain and discover the history from across the pond. Join the Kennett and Avon Canal at the Claverton Pumping Station, a historic example of renewable energy that uses the flow of the river to lift water into the canal. Cross the river and climb through the woods before gently descending across fields into Bradford on Avon. 

Day 5 - Circular Walk to the north of Bradford
This lovely Wiltshire town is full of history and you could just spend a day just enjoying the wonderful sites. From the 14th century bridge over the River Avon, Bradford climbs steeply up the southern edge of the Cotswold Hills through narrow streets and paths lined with quaint and quirky cottages. Near the river you can visit the ancient 7th Century Saxon Church and the splendid 14th century Tithe Barn. The solid Victorian mills are a reminder of the days when wool and cloth was the main trade. Bradford is also surrounded by beautiful countryside and the gentle, open farmland to the north of Bradford has a string of splendid manor houses, Great Chalfield, South Wraxall and Monkton Farleigh that are picturesque reminders of the feudal past. 

Day 6 - Circular Walk to the south of Bradford
The countryside just outside Bradford is full of interest. Pass the Jacobean Manor at Westwood on the way to the romantic 14th century ruins of Farleigh Hungerford Castle. Continue through the delightful countryside to Iford Manor, with the famous hillside garden created by the Edwardian landscape architect Harold Peto, and return to Bradford along the wooded slopes of Avoncliff.

Day 7 - Bradford back to Bath
Enjoy the peaceful waterway scenes of boats and wildlife along the Kennet and Avon Canal. The delightful villages of Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe provide the more rural aspect to this walk before heading back into the city past Prior Park. The dramatic landscaped gardens sweep down the valley towards the centre of the city and are now in the care of the National Trust.

Day 8 – On day eight, you will depart.

Key Details:

• Six night, seven day or seven night, eight day itinerary to choose from.
• This tour will start and finish in Bath.
• During this walking tour you will walk 6 -12 miles each day.

Essential Information:
Correct clothing is important to ensure your comfort during the walks. Your clothing should take moisture from the body to the outside. Sweatshirts, thin pullovers and breathable jackets are ideal companions during the cooler days. Please take light, waterproof jackets and trousers in case there is rain. On hot days please wear a cap or hat to protect your head from the sun; sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays and please wear sun cream.

There are many highlights on this exciting vacation including:

• Costume and Buildings Museum
• The Bath Abbey
• Boat Trips along the River Avon
• 18^th Century Aqueducts and Pumping Station
• Iford Manor Gardens
• Barton Farm Country Park
• Solsbury Hill
• Beckford Tower

Getting to Bath

By Rail/Bus – There are regular National Express coaches operating to and from the city of Bath.

There are regular trains to Bath Spa railway station.

By Car – Bath is located just ten miles from junction 18 of the M4 Motorway.

By Air – There are a number of airports close to Bath including London Heathrow, Bristol and Birmingham.

For more information on getting to Bath please the VisitBath website.