Walk No. & Title | Location | Length (miles) | Description |
1 Barrow Court | South Bristol | 3.75 | An easy, undulating ramble over pasture and woodland paths with views over the city, and passing Barrow Court, with its gardens, both Grade II* listed. There are a few stiles and a couple of muddy stretches. Allow a couple of hours. |
2 Purdown | Bristol | 4 | A familiar view from an unfamiliar vantage point. This is an elevated linear walk through Stoke Park and over Pur Down with the M32 motorway far below. The route continues along hidden lanes and quiet streets, passing by St Werburgh’s City Farm (cafe and family-oriented pub) then on to Ashley Hill and a short walk to the bus stop |
3 Lancaut | Chepstow | 4 | A fascinating walk along lanes and riverbank, crossing parkland and fields with dramatic views over the River Wye. The tiny hamlet of Lancaut with its ruined chapel is visited, also a nature reserve. Just a couple of climbs, but a short, rough stretch over boulders makes this a bit of an adventure. Children should be closely supervised at all times. Allow about 2.5 hours but an additional visit to Chepstow castle and nearby museum could fill the day |
4 Blaise &
Kingsweston | Bristol | 4.25 | This walk, is full of historical interest, and is for the most part on good paths and tracks although one section is likely to be very muddy. There are a couple of climbs, one fairly steep, but no stiles! The whole circuit should take a couple of hours to complete. |
5 Ford | Slaughterford | 4.5 | A gentle walk, just one short, steep ascent, visiting the honey-coloured villages of Ford and Slaughterford. Riverside, woodland and field paths, with a superb pub at the end (or beginning) of the walk. Allow about 2.5 hours. |
6 Iron Acton | Yate | 4.5 | An attractive walk, outward over fields and meadows and returning on riverside paths. Generally level walking though with numerous stiles. Some paths may be muddy after heavy rain. Take a leisurely 2.5 hours. |
7 Westerleigh | Yate | 4.5 | An easy, almost level walk (just one climb), of field paths and tracks, with a short stretch of road. The route follows in part, the Avon & Gloucestershire Railway known locally as the Dramway, and there is much historical interest en-route. Allow about 2.5 hours |
8 Luckington & Sherston |  | 5 | An easy, almost level walk along field paths and lanes, visiting the attractive stone-built village of Sherston, with a return along riverside paths |
9 Oldbury &
Littleton | | 5 | A simple, mostly level walk, following country lanes, field paths and an interesting stretch along the River Severn, but basically, a good excuse for a pub lunch! |
10 Badminton | | 5.75 | An easy, almost level walk of parkland and field paths, with some walking on quiet roads from the estate village of Great Badminton, with its wealth of historic buildings, to the attractive village of Luckington. Allow about 2.5 hours. |
11 Queen Charlton | Keynsham | 6 | An interesting walk to the gem of a village, along riverbank, field paths and tracks, plus some road walking. A couple of short climbs and some wet and muddy stretches |
12 St Arvans | Chepstow | 6 | A walk of woodland and pasture, with most of the hard work done in the first mile – thanks to 365 rough and uneven steps, that give fine views over the River Wye. Allow a good three hours |
13 The Strawberry
Line | Axbridge | 6.25 | A lovely walk, initially following the old ‘Strawberry Line’ railway, then returning over the Mendips with superb views across the Somerset levels. Much of the route is on good, level paths, though there are a couple of climbs – one steep with steps – and a steep descent. Allow 3 5 – 4 hours of walking. |
14 Bristol Docks | | 6.5 | A walk from the city, out into the countryside and back again. The longer walk has one steep climb on a paved surface and a rough descent, more than compensated by the stunning views. |
15 Priston | | 6.5 | An undulating, but not difficult walk starting and ending in the little village of Stanton Prior, and passing through Priston. Field paths and tracks – some muddy stretches – and quiet lanes. Allow about 3 hours. |
16 Priddy & Rodney Stoke | | 6.75 | A snapshot of the Mendips is to be found on this walk. The starting point, Priddy, is the most isolated village on this range of hills and the views over the Somerset Levels on the first half of the walk are superb on a clear day. The route then follows the West Mendip Way back to Priddy. Easy walking, but with one fairly long climb and numerous stiles. Allow 3.5 hours. |
17 Easton Grey | Sherston | 7 | An easy walk in the south Cotswolds along quiet lanes and field paths, passing through the pretty village of Easton Grey and returning along the ancient Fosse Way. A generally level walk, allow about 3 hours. |
18 Portskewett | Newport, S.Wales | 7 | An easy, almost flat ramble along field paths and lanes, following the bank of the Severn Estuary and passing an ancient fort, the remains of Brunel’s broad gauge railway and the fishing grounds of the 'Black Rock Lave Net Fishery'. Allow about 3 hours. |
19 Wavering Down | Winscombe | 7.5 | An easy outward leg, initally woodland then field edge paths bordering the Somerset Levels. The return involves a steep ascent of Crook Peak, followed by an undulating route over Wavering Down with superb views on a clear day. An overgrown stretch in mid-summer might necessitate a detour (indicated in the narrative). Allow a good 4 hours |
20 Nyland Hill | Somerset Levels | 7.5 | An easy level walk across meadows, country lanes and farm tracks. Often wet underfoot and with a couple of muddy stretches. An optional ascent of Nyland Hill is to be recommended to understand the workings of the Somerset Levels. A good walk for nature-lovers, with much wildlife to be seen. |
21 Monkton Farleigh | Bath | 8 | An undulating ramble along woodland and field path (muddy after rain), and quiet country lanes. The walk passes through a nature reserve containing the remnants of Bath Stone quarries and mines, used in later years for military purposes. Monkton Farleigh is reached mid-point of the walk, a pretty village of Cotswold Stone dwellings with a fine, historic pub |
22 Goytre Wharf | Pontypool | 8 | A superb walk of hilltop, woodland and canal path, visiting a Roman road, an old industrial landscape and a spring with a legend. two lengthy, but gentle climbs. Café and small museum at mid-point make for a pleasant interlude. |
23 Maes Knoll | South Bristol | 8 | An energetic walk from the outskirts of the City, deep into the Somerset countryside. You will be rewarded with some of the best views over the city and beyond as well as a fine vista south from an Iron-Age fort. A couple of climbs, numerous stiles and a few locked gates to scramble over, but well worth the effort! Allow four hours plus stops. |
24 Box Hill | Bath | 8 | A gem of a walk along riverbank and through woodland, passing manor houses and hamlets in hidden combes. A couple of ascents – nothing too strenuous. Allow about four hours. |
25 Lansdown | Bath | 8.25 | An undulating walk from secluded valleys to breezy hilltops, taking in much of the Lansdown battlefield site and passing the row of beech trees that are a well-known hilltop landmark seen for miles around. A couple of steep climbs, plus 700 yards of dangerous road walking! Many fine views, so choose a clear day, and allow up to 4 hours |
26 Blaize Bailey | Newnham | 8.5 | A fine walk along woodland tracks and field a riverside paths with stunning views of the River Severn. A few gentle climbs and some muddy stretches Allow 4 – 4.5 hours of walking. |
27 Wick & Hinton | East Bristol | 9 | An interesting ramble with a couple of easy climbs along riverbank and field paths, visiting the villages of Doynton and Hinton. Good views of Dyrham House and a dramatic encounter with a working quarry. |
28 Slad | Stroud | 9.5 | A hilly, but beautiful walk up, down and around the Slad and Toadsmoor valleys, starting in Bisley (home to Jilly Cooper) and passing through Slad (home of the late Laurie Lee). Allow 5 hours. |
29 Buckland Dinham | Trowbridge | 10.5 | A delightful and varied walk of parkland, riverbank, railway paths and a few fields, passing old mills, limekilns and other relics of a bygone industrial age. Mells, with its ‘Little Jack Horner’ connection is worth exploring, as is the Talbot Inn with its Butcombe ale straight from the wood. Generally level walking, mostly on good paths, but expect some muddy stretches after rain. |
30 Marlborough
Downs | Swindon | 10.5 | An elevated walk with fine views around the Marlborough Downs, the latter half following a section of the Ridgeway long-distance path. In summer, birdlife abounds – yellowhammer, whitethroat, linnet and corn bunting vie with each other for your attention while at your feet, dozens of varieties of wild flower can be identified, so take binoculars and take your time! |
