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View of the grass at Bathwick Fields with Bath city centre beyond, bright blue skies.
Early spring on the Bath Skyline at Bathwick Fields, Bath | © National Trust/Rachel Beaumont
Bath & Bristol

Walk to the view at Bath Skyline

This short circular walk has stunning views, hidden waterways and Georgian history that can be completed in 1½ hours. It's a perfect walk for families or anyone needing to get outdoors for a while. See great views over the Bath Skyline in this green space.

Traffic

Watch out for traffic when using the pedestrian crossings and along roads.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Bath Abbey, Kingston Parade

Step 1

From Bath Abbey, Kingston Parade, turn left into York St. Turn left at the end of York St, then soon after turn right over two pedestrian crossings to the stone balustrade above Parade Gardens.

Step 2

Turn left along Grand Parade then right over Pulteney Bridge.

Step 3

Continue straight on to the end of Great Pulteney Street. Cross the main road at the pedestrian crossings into Sydney Place with the Holburne Museum on your left and in 40m turn left into Sydney Gardens. During museum opening times, you can enter Sydney Gardens through the museum grounds.

Step 4

Follow the tarmac path towards a stone ‘temple’ to meet a wide tarmac path and turn right over railway bridge. Immediately before the next canal bridge turn right beneath a large tree. After 10m go through a white iron gateway on your left onto the canal towpath and turn right. Follow the towpath through the tunnel, up a ramp to cross the canal. Turn right to continue on the towpath. At the boat basin go up cobbled ramp and cross road named Bathwick Hill. Turn right, over bridge then sharp left by the supermarket. Go down steep steps to continue right along towpath.

Step 5

At lock 13 cross canal footbridge then go up slope and steps to Sydney Buildings. Cross the road, walk up two flights of steps and continue 300m on the path beside Bathwick Fields. Pass two kissing gates until you reach the end of the black railings. You will see a wooden bench in the field on your right and a magnificent view to reward your efforts.

Visitor flying a kite with a view of the Bath Skyline
Visitor flying a kite with a view of the Bath Skyline | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Step 6

Just beyond the end of the field turn right down narrow footpath with hedge on right. Pass gateway on the right; shortly after, turn right over a small footbridge and stile in the hedgerow.

Step 7

Walk straight across field and through two kissing gates in close succession (into and out of Richens Orchard). After the second kissing gate turn left keeping the field boundary on the left and then go through the kissing gate adjacent to a wide gateway.

View over Richens Orchard, Bath Skyline
View over Richens Orchard, Bath Skyline | © National Trust Images/Ruth Newell

Step 8

From the gateway continue straight ahead for 90m to a dip in the field, and then left downhill to a kissing gate. Go onto Sydney Buildings road and turn right. Shortly after turn left retracing your route back to canal tow path and turn right. After 80m turn left onto the footpath going downhill. Continue straight, to the end of cul-de-sac (dead end road), until reaching Pulteney Road beneath the railway bridge. Cross straight over at the pedestrian crossing onto North Parade.

Step 9

Continue along North Parade until the junction with Pierrepoint Street. Cross straight over onto Terrace Walk and shortly after turn left into York Street, which leads you back to Bath Abbey.

End point

Bath Abbey, Kingston Parade

Trail map

Walk to the view trail map at Bath Skyline
Walk to the view trail map at Bath Skyline | © National Trust

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South East of the city of Bath, Bath and NE Somerset

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

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