I’ve done most of this route many many times, but always cycling. This time I decided to walk it, inspired in large part by the fact that I can now walk the 11 miles from our house in Bath to youngest son’s house in Bristol almost entirely off road.
Using the Two Tunnels Greenway and the Bristol to Bath Railway Path, only a small section joining the two and a couple of miles from the Railway Path to their house are on the road (about 2 miles in total). I find this astonishing – whilst this might be common-place in other European countries (especially Germany and Denmark), it is rare indeed in the UK.
When you’re walking you see things at a different pace.
Which meant that I was able to read every sign post along the way telling me about the history and natural history of the route. I learnt that a certain point is home to a colony of glow worms and so the night lighting is turned off from May to September to support their habitat. I learnt more about the industrial history of the route (very interesting, as it happens).
I was also able to spot all sorts of flowers, butterflies and fungi that I might otherwise have missed.
As I walked and saw so many different flowers, I was reminded of the Flower Fairies books, particularly the spring one.
I stopped to enjoy some of the sculpture.
Refreshments were needed and taken
Oh, and I stopped for a lovely cream tea along the way at Warmley Waiting Room Cafe (quirky, delightful, highly recommended). Well, I’d (probably??) earned it, what with all that walking.
the magic jug 