Connect with nature while getting your steps in

We are lucky in Bath to have a fantastic range of walking and running routes across the city, on campus, and in the surrounding countryside. Staying active can have a lot of benefits, from increased concentration to improved sleep. With such beautiful and varied routes right on our doorstep, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get moving.

Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk is a lovely route around the perimeter of campus. It is a circuit which can be joined at various points. Some parts of the footpath can get muddy, especially after rain.

On the map below, the main route is indicated by a thick green line, route extensions are in a blue dashed line, and ways to enter and exit the circuit are shown with black dots. 

If walking, you can expect the main route to take around 30 to 40 minutes. If you fancy a longer circuit, Team Bath have a route that strays into some neighbour National Trust land.

Sham Castle

A short five minute wander from campus, Sham Castle is an 18th century folly overlooking the city and surrounding countryside. It offers a lovely unobstructed view of the Bath Skyline, with some seated area nearby if you want to spend some time soaking it all in. 

To get there, first head over to Polden. You'll need to join the path (not the pavement) running parallel to Quarry Road, and follow it south until you see a metal gate on your right. Go through the gate, following the footpath signs, which will lead you to a field with a well defined grass path; this will lead you directly to Sham Castle.

 

Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath

The Kennet and Avon Canal connects the Bristol channel to the River Thames. 

The Canal & River Trust suggest a 3km circular route around the towpath, starting in the city centre. The 12km route to Bradford on Avon is also popular, and there are direct trains back to Bath if you don't fancy the return journey. If starting from campus, you can join the canal path from Claverton, a small village to the east. 

The Canal & River Trust has a helpful Accessibility map, which gives information on gradient, steps, gates, and access points throughout the towpath. 

 

Bath Skyline Parkrun

Parkrun is a weekly running event which is completely free to join. It is open to anyone and everyone, and while you can treat it as a race, it is completely okay to walk or run at your own pace. 

The Bath parkrun takes place on Saturday mornings, starting in the fields near Claverton Down Community Hall. This is opposite the main entrance to campus, and is a short distance from the Oakley bus stop. The route is 5 kilometres long, going through woodland and fields along the Bath Skyline. 

Find out more about the course on the Bath Skyline parkrun page. 

For more ideas, have a look at some recommended routes from Team Bath.