Batheaston to Monkton Combe
This includes a pleasant walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath.
Distance: 8.4 km.
If driving to Batheaston, parking is available in the public car park in London Road East, opposite a pub and local shops.
Historical information
A. Batheaston
Batheaston originally grew up on the west side of the brook above marshy ground, and modern houses have been built on the east side. The monks of Bath held an estate here too. Coming down the street, see Eagle House which John Wood the Elder partly rebuilt in 1729; see also Middlesex House and Pine House, late 17th century buildings.
As with many of the churches along the 'Link', the church at Batheaston, although an old foundation, is mostly Victorian apart from its tower. Several inns were built on the London-Bath turnpike, the A4, including the 'Lamb & Flag' dated 1770. In the time of Beau Nash passengers had to endure a long and dangerous journey in an un-sprung coach to reach Bath. How glad they must have been to rattle down the hill into Batheaston, their destination within sight. Batheaston House may be seen from the river path, an imposing mansion, dated 1712.
B. Bathampton
In the church, rebuilt by Ralph Allen in 1754, is buried Captain Arthur Phillip RN, who in 1786 was appointed Governor of the new colony of New South Wales with orders to form a penal settlement at Botany Bay. Sailing in May 1787, his company arrived there the following January. He decided that Botany Bay was unsuitable and took his party ashore at Sydney Cove, establishing the first settlement in Australia. The Australia Chapel and Philip Memorial may be seen in the church.
C. The Kennet & Avon Canal
The Kennet & Avon Canal was built to link Bath with Newbury on the R. Kennet and so join Bristol to Reading on the R. Thames. It was 57 miles long, with a staircase of 29 locks at Devizes - now restored - and cost £950,000 to build. John Rennie was appointed Engineer and the canal was completed in 1810. It was a broad canal, taking not narrow boats but vessels up to 80 ft. long and 21 ft. wide each carrying over 50 tons - heavy goods such as coal, stone and lime. From the beginning it was very successful, by 1839 carrying 342,000 tons of goods a year. There was a dramatic drop in receipts between 1841 and 1842, when the railway began to compete. It was bought out by the railway in 1852 and gradually declined.
D. Claverton Pumping Station
Claverton Pumping Station was built between 1809 and 1813 to supply the Nine Mile Pound, that is, the canal between the top of the locks at Widcombe (Bath) and the next lock at Bradford-on-Avon. The design was by John Rennie and the station was built on a site where river and Canal are close. There had been a mill here since Saxon times and a weir and leat still remained.
The pumping station is waterwheel-powered; each wheel, with 48 buckets, has an overall diameter of 17’7". One lockful of water per hour can be pumped into the canal. Restoration work started in 1969 and now it is open to the public on summer Sundays and is working on certain weekends.
E. Claverton Manor
A new manor house was built on the hill above the village in 1819-20 by Sir Jeffry Wyatville. It now houses the American Museum and may be reached by crossing the canal by the pumping station and walking through Claverton village. It is open on summer afternoons: if you wish you can walk in the gardens and have tea on the terrace without going into the museum itself.
F. Dundas Aqueduct
The beautiful Bath stone Dundas Aqueduct which takes the canal over the R. Avon was named after Charles Dundas who was largely responsible for the canal's success, and designed by Rennie. The 64 ft. arch is dated 1800. Just before the aqueduct there is a basin with a crane by Acraman of Bristol and a landing stage.
At this basin the K & A was joined by the Somerset Coal Canal at a lock, and this junction can now be seen, as the beginning of the SCC has been restored. The SCC and Railway will be described as a whole later on.
Map of Route
Download route:
Route description
[1] From the car park, walk towards the river close by. (Unfortunatley the footpath longside the river has a closure order due to flooding undermining the bank. The local authority have posted an alternative route (marked Y on the map),by walking along the main road towards Bath. After Victoria Gardens take the first footpath on the left, (which is before the bus stop). At the bottom of the footpath turn right and reach the road, angle right and then turn left over the toll bridge.) A pleasant walk can be had by crossing the footbridge from the car park and following the Batheaston Meadows Riverside path on the opposite bank of the river. (Marked X on the map). This path emerges onto Mill Lane, turn left and follow directions from *
[800 m]
[2] Notice the old tariff board on Toll Bridge House. *Along the road to Bathampton, crossing over road and railway bridges, as far as St Nicholas’ church on the left and The George Inn on the right. The road bends left here, and just after the pub courtyard, go right through a wooden gate and turn left onto the towpath of the Kennet & Avon Canal.
[+-700 m]
[3] Walk along the canal towpath for a total of 5 km to Dundas Aqueduct, passing the following landmarks:
a) Bridge 183;
[50 m]
b) Village primary school; cottages; excellent view across the railway to Brown’s Folly in the woods. A water tap and Bathampton swing bridge (182);
[1000 m]
c) Bridge (181); Warleigh Manor across the valley on left.
[1500 m]
d) Claverton pumping station (below the towpath, screened by bushes), see information board on left.
[650 m]
e) Bridge (179) - access to Claverton Village and American Museum.
[50 m]
f) Millbank swing bridge (178). There is a small farm shop here.
[1100 m]
g) Footbridge (177) over canal on arriving at Dundas Basin. Cross over and continue on opposite bank of canal.
[700m]
[4] On reaching Dundas Basin close by Dundas Aqueduct, go behind building to crane - the aqueduct is to the left. The bridge in front is the start of the Somerset Coal Canal. There are some information boards around the basin. Go up track on the right through gate to main road (A36). Turn left on road, pass garage, to traffic lights.
At the traffic lights, turn left down Lower Stoke (B3108). This is a busy road with no footpath, so proceed with caution.
Just off our route is Brassknocker Basin (signposted as Canal Visitor Centre), with information, cafe, boat hire, cycle hire etc. This can be reached on foot from Dundas Basin, or from Lower Stoke (B3108). Pay and display parking is also available here.
Passing the entrance to the Visitor Centre and the cycle route to Monkton Combe, follow the B3108 as it bends right at bottom of slope, then immediately, just before you reach the bridge, go through metal pedestrian gate by field gate on right hand side.
[700 m]
[5] The path doubles back under the A36. Keep to right hand side of Monkton Combe School playing fields; near the end of these, take short track bearing right up to metalled lane.
Rather than following the road, keep to railings on the left, then almost immediately, before gate into a yard, turn right up a path behind a stone wall, and proceed through woodland just above the lane. At the end of the path, cross the lane and up steps opposite to the remains of a kissing gate below a new school building.
Follow the footpath up the slope with main school buildings on the left, through the wooden gate at the top, and onto road.
[750 m]
[6] Turn left and go through Monkton Combe village towards the church.
[500 m]
[7] A fuller description of Monkton Combe is provided in the next section. Parking is available at the Village Hall, almost opposite the church.