The 10+ Best Walks in and Around Bath, England

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Best Time to Walk in Bath

When planning a walk in Bath, there are a few things to consider to ensure you have the best experience possible. Here are some seasonal and timing considerations to keep in mind.

CHeck the Weather

Bath is a beautiful city to walk in year-round, but the best time to walk depends on your preferences.

During the Spring (March to May), the weather tends to be mild which can make for a nice walk as you won’t get too hot and uncomfortable. But, there can be a lot of rain during the spring, so make sure to bring an umbrella and/or rain coat. During Spring you’ll be able to enjoy seeing the flowers as they start blooming.

During the summer (June to August), the weather improves. Especially in June you’re more likely to experience sunny days with clear blue skies. But the summer isn’t always free from rain, so make sure to check the weather forecast and be prepared to pack an umbrella/rain coat.

Autumn/Fall (Spetember to October) is a great time to go for walk in the parks in Bath or the nearby countryside. The weather is mild, and whilst it might rain more often than the summer you’ll get to enjoy seeing the autumn colours.

Winter (November to February) has the worst weather due to the temperatures dropping (especially in December and January) and an increased chance of rain. But on the plus side you can always visit Bath on Ice at Royal Victoria Park and combine a stroll around the park with iceskating. There’s also plenty of other walks possible, you just need to dress approriately for the cold.

Daytime vs. Evening Walks

Another factor to consider when planning your walk in Bath is whether you prefer a daytime or evening walk.

During the day, you can enjoy the city’s beautiful architecture, gardens, and parks. You can combine your walk with a visit some of the city’s top attractions, such as the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.

If you want to experience the city’s magical ambiance, consider taking an evening walk. The city is beautifully lit up at night. Just remember to bring a coat as tempertures do drop at night, and the city can be quite cold.

The Best Walks in Bath

Bath Skyline Walk

The Skyline Walk is a 6-mile circular route that offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding countryside. This walk takes you through Bath’s beautiful parks, woodlands, and meadows.

Along the way, you’ll see some of Bath’s most famous landmarks, including the Royal Crescent, Bath Abbey, and the Roman Baths. The Skyline Walk is a moderate walk that takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete.

If the walk sounds too difficult for you, or the weather is miserable you could always opt for the Skyline Bus tour instead. The Skyline tour is ran by Toot Bus and you’ll get a 2 day, hop-on hop-off bus ticket to explore the city using two different bus routes – a city tour, and the skyline tour. The city tour stops by many of Bath’s historic sights such as The Roman Baths, whereas the Skyline tour gives you amazing views over the city but also stops off at the Prior Park Landscape Gardens.

Sydney Gardens Trails

There are two popular walks in Syndey Gardens that I recommend checking out.

The Sydney Gardens Tree Trail: This is a popular walk that takes you through one of Bath’s most beautiful parks. The trail passes by many of the different types of trees found in the park. You’ll get to see 15 different types of trees, plus you’ll pass by The Holburne Museum and The Temple of Minerva.

You can download the trail map here (PDF).

Sydney Gardens Jane Austen Trail: If you’re a Jane Austen fan and want to learn more about her life in Bath, I recommend heading to Sydney Gardens and following the Jane Austen Trail. The trail will show you many of the interesting places around the park that Austen is said to have enjoyed. You’ll also get to see the historical Georgian buildings such as the Holburne Museum, and the spot a labyrinth mase was found.

You can download the Jane Austen trail map here (PDF). The PDF also includes tons of information on Jane Austen’s time in Bath so I recommend reading it as you stroll around the park.

Kennet and Avon Canal Path

The Kennet and Avon Canal Path is a beautiful walk that takes you along the canal towpath from Bath to Bradford-on-Avon. The whoe canal path is over 83 miles long!

There’s a few different walking routes that go along the canal (either part of the way, or the whole route) you can follow in and near to Bath such as:

• 3.2km (2 miles) circular walk around The Darlington Wharf
• 5.3km (3.3 miles) out and back walk from Brassknocker Basin to Warleigh Weir
• 4.3km (2.7 miles) out and back walk from Bath to Bathampton
• 5.6km (3.5 Miles) Avon River Short :oop Trail

These walks are all perfect for nature lovers and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Check the links to the walks above for more information on difficulty and accessibility.

Prior Park Landscape Garden

Prior Park Landscape Garden is a beautiful 18th-century garden that is located just outside of Bath. This 6.1km (3.7 miles) walk takes you through the Prior Park garden and Rainbow Wood. You’ll see a variety of plants and flowers, including wild garlic, snowdrops, and daffodils. You’ll also see some of the garden’s historic features, including the Palladian Bridge and the Serpentine Lake.

Two Tunnels Greenway

The Two Tunnels Greenway is a 13-mile walking and cycling trail that runs through Bath and the surrounding countryside. You could consider this route, which is a 11.4km (7.1 miles) out and back route.

The trail follows the old railway line, and you’ll get to see two of the disused railway tunnels; Devonshire Tunnel and Combe Down Tunnel. The trail is considered to be moderately challenging, and should take about 3 to 4 hours to complete.

Royal Victoria Park

A local gem, the Royal Victoria Park in Bath is a 57-acre park that makes for a great day out. There’s tons to see whilst walking around the park, including a beautiful botanical garden, a duck pond, and a children’s play area.

If you follow this trail, you’ll be taken along a route that passes by many of the parks highlights. The trail is 1.1km (0.7 miles), so it’s quite short making it suitable for those with lower mobility and children.

Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way National Trail takes walkers through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers breathtaking scenery and an incredibly diverse landscape and environment.

The trail itself is 102 miles long, with the final section reaching Bath. This final section is called “Journey’s End – The Walk Into Bath”, and is a 9.6km (6 mile) walk that starts near Bath at the Lansdown Park & Ride Car Park and finishes at Bath Abbey.

Local Walking Clubs and Groups

If you’re loca to the area or staying in Bath for an extended duration, you could consider joining a local walking club or group. Not only will you get to meet new people who share your love of the outdoors, but you’ll also have the opportunity to discover new walking routes and trails that you may not have known about otherwise.

Here are some local walking clubs and groups that you can consider joining:

• Bath Ramblers: Bath Ramblers is a friendly group of walkers who organize weekly walks and social events in and around Bath and further afield. They offer moderate pace Sunday walks, that are normally around 8km to 11.2km long (around 5-7 miles).
• Wellbeing Walks with Bath Mind: If you’re looking for a more relaxed walking experience, you could consider joining the Wellbeing Walks with Bath Mind. They run walks on Thursday at 11am. These walks are completely free, and aim to help improve your wellbeing.
• The Bath & Bristol Everything Meetup Group: This meetup group isn’t just for walking, but they hold regular walks throughout the year at diffferent locations in and around Bath. Memership for Meetup.com and the group is free.