How to enjoy a day out with friends or family when the sun is shining outside? Cycling is one of the coolest activities because you get to exercise and have fun simultaneously. The Bristol-Bath Railway Path is one of the best trails to enjoy a safe, traffic-free cycle ride.
When was the Bristol-Bath Railway Path built?
The Bristol and Bath Railway path is an off-road cycleway built between 1979 and 1986 that stretches for about 24km. The Sustrans, a UK charity that first developed the National Cycle Network, created it. They invest in traffic free-paths and encourage active travel. It is possible to walk, it’s wheelchair accessible and also for cycling. The National Cycle Network stretches for about 20,540Km of cycling routes in the UK, and about 8,486 km is traffic-free. Pretty cool and safe, no?
The Railway path is flat and relatively wide, so it is perfectly safe to cycle even if it’s crowded, or you can walk the whole way. It can be a great day out with family or friends, especially with good weather.
Where to start the Bristol-Bath Railway Path?
We started our trip from Bristol, Lawrence Hill. There’s an entrance to the left right before Croydon Street meets Church Road. It’s a tiny and narrow entrance. From there, follow the signs for the Railway Path to Bath or the National Cycle Route 4.
The Bristol-Bath Railway Path passes through Staple Hill, Mangostfield, Warmley, Bitton, and Saltford villages and ends in Newbridge, Bath. You can join the path from any of these villages.
How long does it take to Complete the Bristol-Bath Railway Path?
Time to complete the path cycling: 1h20mins
Distance: 24km, 15 miles.
The Staple Hill Tunnel
You can enjoy the scenery, quirky bridges, and tunnels like the Staple Hill tunnel along the path. The tunnel is less than 500 metres long and takes less than 1 minute to cross, but it is cold and feels like it was raining on us. There is enough lighting, but make sure you have your lights on if you are on a bike.
Mangotsfield
We stopped at Mangotsfield to check the ruins of an old train station that closed in 1966.
Warmley
We had a quick stop at Warmley for a snack and toilet.
There is some art to enjoy along the way, from cute sculptures to colourful graffiti on the walls.
Newbridge
We ended the trip Bristol-Bath in Newbridge and had lunch in a pub called “The Boathouse”. The pub is fantastic and cosy, decorated with rowing boats and wooden tables, and you can enjoy the outside sitting area.
The River Avon Trail
On the way back, we decided to go off-track and cycle in the fields to join the River Avon trail. Follow the railway path in the direction of Bristol. Cross the Avon Valley Railway (Avon Riverside Station) and take the next left towards Bitten Picnic Area. That will take you to the River Avon walking Trail that, as the name says, is right next to the river.
Be aware that this is not an official cycle path. It’s fields. Since it had been raining, it was very, very muddy. Be prepared to lift your bike above your chest to cross a few walking gates. Yep, that was hard, but Tomas did all the work.
It takes about 30 minutes to reach a small and quirky riverside village with a few pubs in Hanham. We did not stop for a drink, but we will try the food and drink next time.
From this point, there was an easy cycle way that led straight to Bristol Temple Meads. The trip takes about an hour and is a pleasant ride along the river Avon.
We have done at least 65km round trip, and with a one-hour break for snacks and lunch, it was a 5-hour trip. We were exhausted from carrying the bikes at some points, but it was a very entertaining day.