Bristol & Bath Railway Path

Renting a bike and going to Bath is a great day trip from Bristol. I did have trouble finding the path. Perhaps people more familiar with the area wouldn’t have as much trouble.

I can’t believe I’ve lived in Bristol for years and never once cycled or walked the Bristol & Bath railway path! I was worried that at 13 miles I wouldn’t be able to hack it but I’m pleased to report that cycling the path was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Starting in St Phillips, the path is popular with walkers and cyclists and is a lovely way to explore the countryside between Bristol and Bath. The views are beautiful and there are several pubs along the route if you need to wet your whistle before journeying on!
Depending on your speed the route can take around two hours to complete and if you reach Bath but can’t make it back (or vice versa) then a good idea is to get a train back, which can accommodate your bicycle as well as your tired legs. As the name suggests, the path was once a railway line and there are elements of this left, such as raised platforms and old steam engines dotted about the path. The track does get very busy on weekends but if you are a leisurely walker or cyclist then this shouldn’t be a problem.

When I first walked the Bristol to Bath cycle path I had grand designs of cycling to work (I lived in Bristol and worked in Bath). I have to say, while some people do do that, it was a little ambitious on my part. In fact, I never managed it once — favouring the train which takes just 10 minutes and doesn’t leave you smelling like a damp dog. However, as an occasional jaunt or a day out the Bristol to Bath cycle path is delightful. It passes through the very picturesque village of Saltford and the halfway point of the town of Keynsham. There’s a couple of pubs along the way and you’ll pass the iconic Cadbury’s Factory (though for how much longer no one knows as they’ve just sold out to US food giant Kraft). Most of the cycle path, which doubles up as a footpath, hugs the River Avon and you can expect to see beautiful barges along the way. The graffiti can be pretty interesting too. If you don’t want to walk the whole 12 miles or so, you could always do a bit of it and hop on the Avon Steam Rail which sets off around the halfway point.

Oh this path is an absolute joy, and is such a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day without the possibilty of getting lost in the middle of nowhere — if you ever took part in the Ten Tors challenge you may know what I mean by the middle of nowhere, it ain’t a welcoming place! This path is ideal for both walkers and cyclists, although you are sure to reach the end of it alot quicker if you were to find yourself speeding along on two wheels rather than two feet! The best part is that either end of the path sits two great cities, which when you reach offer up great refreshment points and also fantastic shopping facilities — nothing makes you feel more refreshed than a new pair of shoes!

I’d rather not walk this long stretch between Bristol and Bath (and back again, if that’s your thing), but for cycling, it’s the perfect route. And even if you’re not fit enough to go both ways, you can always hop on a train for the return journey, with your bike, annoying as that is for everyone else on the train). In fact, some people enjoy this route so much that they actually commute to and from Bath everyday via it, which I could understand if we lived in a decent climate. Alas, this is a purely once-​in-​a-​while activity for me. Oh, and to make your journey that little bit more exciting, there’s been a few stabbings up this way, so don’t take it after dark. You have been warned.

The route (if you choose to walk all of it! make sure it’s good weather) is a 13 mile off road route between the cities of Bristol and Bath. The path is easily accessable for walkers and cyclists and access is provided for disabled users. The journey of the path could either be on some people commuting route, it could be a short cut, it’s a widlife spotting point for some enthusiasts, or if your like me, it could just provide a nice little walk, to get some fresh air.
The website is very helpful for providing history behind the path and what you can hope to see on your travels, and of course maps! Because everyone loves a good map!

This is a former railway line that’s been turned into a cycle path linking the city’s of Bristol and Bath. The chief benefit of this is that it’s nice and flat all the way along (trains don’t go up hills, at least not very steep ones). This makes it really good for people like me who like to go cycling but aren’t super fit enthusiasts — if it’s not too warm you can do this ride wearing jeans. Another benefit is that it’s tarmacked all the way along so there’s no risk of getting muddy. Lastly, it means that the route is entirely off road (although you do have to cross a couple).
At 13 miles long you can do a leisurely one way ride or try a bit harder and cycle both ways. Since there are regular trains from Bath to Bristol, and vice versa, going one way is perfectly feasible. It is a bit of a hassle getting your bikes on the train, though. 26 miles isn’t asking too much anyway — you can do one leg in the morning, have lunch in Bath, and get back before it’s dark without being super fit. Leisurely and without hills, the Bristol — Bath cycle offers an easy ride between two great cities.

The cyclepath (and footpath) made local headlines recently when the council unveiled a sinister plot to transform it into … a huge bus lane. Muchos demonstrations ensued, and for now it’s safe from the bulldozers, thank goodness (but for how long?). Dog walkers, kids, commuters in (near) harmony with one another. I live just a stone’s throw away from the path and cycling along it to work is like catching a quiet, chilled commuter train in the mornings (stopping off just near Temple Meads) into the centre.
At weekends, in the Summer, the world and his dog jump on the path and it can be a rather more stressful experience dodging small children on your bike, or getting caught up in a long queue of cyclists. Get ready for leafy and rather scenic surroundings, and just past Fishponds there is a long, damp tunnel which can be rather echoey and fun (although not after 10.30pm when they switch the light’s off).
The whole route to Bath is something you should build up to if you’re not a regular cyclist. It might take 12 minutes on the train, but it takes a helluva lot longer on two wheels, and the majority of the way is ever so slightly uphill (deceivingly so).

I used to use this fairly regularly when I worked in Bath and the odd soaking aside, it was a pretty decent way to travel to work. That and the fact that the first half is almost horseshoe shaped, which adds a couple of extra miles to your journey, though this shouldn’t matter too much if you’re cycling for fun.
The payoff for taking a slightly meandering route is that it’s pretty much flat for the whole journey, which means most people, even those who aren’t particularly fit, shouldn’t find it too challenging. There’s also plenty to see on the way besides the greenery, with the particular highlight being when you pass the Avon Valley Railway before encountering a couple of very nice looking pubs. And the best bit is you’re almost at Bath by this point, so you can always nip in for a few pints and catch a train back.
One point: the Lawrence Hill end has gotten a bit of a reputation for being patrolled by muggers who target cyclists. I never encountered any problems bar the odd water bomb thrown from a bridge, but you may wish to bear this in mind.