WALKING WITH ANDREW SWIFT

This eight-mile walk takes in some of the finest scenery that South Gloucestershire has to offer. Starting at Swineford in the Avon valley, it heads north through Upton Cheyney and along the Boyd Valley to Wick before climbing to the heights of Lansdown and walking south along the escarpment. From there, it drops down to the village of North Stoke and along a Roman road to return to the starting point, where a pub with a large garden awaits. Much of the route lies along quiet byways, green lanes and holloways. Although there are some field paths, little livestock is likely to be encountered, although, as this is equestrian country, you may encounter horses. The walk starts at Swineford Picnic Area, off the A431, 50m west of the Swan Inn (BS30 6LN; ST691692). If you want to take the bus, the No 19 runs hourly to Swineford from Bath bus station. The picnic site stands on the site of Swineford Color Works, established by the West of England Ochre & Oxide Company around 1899. In the 1930s it was converted to an iron foundry which closed in 1957, although the fast-flowing leat which powered it still flows through the site.

Just beyond the car park, go through a kissing gate (KG) on the left and turn right alongside the hedge. At the end of the field, go through a KG, cross a footbridge and carry on up a path which leads through a broken KG. Continue uphill and, 100m further on, turn left through a KG. Cross a lane at the end and go through a KG by a bench. Turn right, go through a six-bar gate, carry on alongside the hedge, and at the end of the field, when you come to two KGs, go through the metal one on the left. Continue through two more KGs, turn left along a path, and, after going down steps at the end, turn right then left along a lane past 17th-century Upton Farm (ST691700). After 800m, when you come to a T junction, turn right (along the only busy stretch of road on the walk), and after 170m, turn left along New Pit Lane, its name recalling a colliery that stood hereabouts. The lane leads across the River Boyd, which rises near Dodington and flows into the Avon at Bitton, and, despite being only seven miles long, powered numerous mills, several of which were major industrial undertakings. After 300m, opposite Chilcott House, turn right through two KGs following a sign for the Monarch’s Way (ST686709). Head diagonally across the field, go through a KG in the fence and continue across a double stile, passing the former Golden Valley Mill, which produced paper until 1825, when it was converted to an ochre works. Carry on alongside the hedge and across a stile to follow a path which leads down steps to a lane. Turn right and after crossing the river go through a KG on the left to follow a track beside the river (ST690713). At the end of the field, carry on across a footbridge, through another field, across another footbridge and past a sewage works, before crossing a slab stile and following a stony track. Away to your right you can see the Lansdown escarpment, which you will soon be climbing, and, in the distance, the caterpillar of trees on Freezing Hill. Go through a KG and follow a faint track indicated by a waymark across a field. Cross a stile, carry straight on and after going through a KG turn right along a lane (ST696724). Carry on past two turnings on the left, but after 950m, just past a turning on the right for Oldbury Lane, carry straight on along Coldharbour Farm Lane (ST704720). After the lane swings left past Coldharbour Farm, the caterpillar of trees lies straight ahead. If you look to your left when you come to a gate, you should be able to make out, in front of a row of poplars, two standing stones which formed part of the burial chamber of a ruined long barrow. They are known as Grandmother’s Rocks, although the legend that gave rise to this name is long forgotten. Carry on as the lane grows increasingly rough and continues to climb before dropping down to ford a tributary of the River Boyd. After another 350m, tarmac returns. When you come to another lane, carry on in the same direction, and when you come to a T junction, look to the left for a footpath sign and follow it straight on up a rough and rocky track (ST709705). This is Slaughter Lane, its name a chilling reminder of the desperate battle that took place on these treacherous slopes on 5 July 1643, when Royalist troops stormed –and took – the seemingly impregnable position held by the Parliamentarians on top of the hill.

When you come to a gate, go through it and bear right uphill alongside the fence. A little further on, a gap in the trees reveals the

view westward, before a waymark directs you away from the fence and the climb grows even steeper. Once through another KG, however, the views are unimpeded.

Carry on with a drystone wall (currently under restoration) on your right for 350m. Go through a broken KG, and, a few metres further on, after going through a wooden KG, bear left, keeping a sharp lookout for golf balls. After 125m, when you come to a way into the woods, go through it and carry on with the wall on your right. Carry on across a tarmac drive and at the end bear right to follow a gravel track across the golf course (ST719694).

After passing Pipley Barn, with its sculptures of the grim reaper and his friends by David Michael Morse, you come to the entrance to Pipley Wood. As there is a way out of the wood further along, a detour is possible here – but be warned that the wood, although fascinating, is very steep and very muddy.

Carrying on along the track, you come to a metal gate, where a bench commands a superb view westward. Continue downhill, ignoring a Cotswold Way sign pointing left, and, after going through a seven-bar gate, follow the track as it bears left past Church Farm, with St Martin’s Church up to your left. Bear right through North Stoke village and after 150m, by a wall letter box, turn right down a stony lane (ST701691). Follow it as it bears left, 150m further on, along the course of the Roman road from Bath to Sea Mills, which soon dwindles to a muddy track. After 300m, follow it as it bears right (ignoring a KG on the left) to run down a steep and narrow holloway. Go through a KG at the end, with a view over the Avon valley, and head across a field and two KGs to return to the starting point.

n Distance: 8 miles

n Time: 4 hours

n Level of challenge: Largely straightforward, although with steep and rocky paths and several stiles

n Map: OS Explorer 155

Call or email for further details 01179 466433 • studio@thekitchenpartmers.co.uk

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