Bath over Christmas

moneylover

We have a cottage booked in Wellow, four miles from Bath over Christmas. We are three generations from youngish grandparents through to grandchildren aged 3 to 6. Any thoughts about nice parks, walks etc eg up hills or along canals/old railway lines, bike hire etc that we could do with the children? Child friendly pubs with nice food? Any cosy village pubs if anyone wants to go out as a couple in the evening? All suggestions very welcome. We know about the 'sights' and will do a few of those where open, its the more everyday activities we are after. Many thanks.

dazzer68

you could go into bradford upon avon, which is a beautiful little town, very dickensian looking so lovely this time of the year, and go to the tithe barn which is an old medievel barn where farmers paid their taxes and behind that is the canal, which is a lovley walk, and will probably be frozen! go left and a short walk to a pub on the lock, turn right longer walk to another cafe, pub, and old watermill.
wrap up warm as the wind whips along the canal, but its a lovely relaxing walk after the hustle and bustle of bath!
not sure which side your staying ? you could go to the white horse by trowbridge fantastic views http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/things-to-do/attractions/history-and-heritage/white-horses the westbury one!

WestonDave

The kids will love Victoria Park right in the centre of Bath (there is parking but it tends to get filled up so try the surrounding roads) - massive play area with loads of different things to play on for all ages. This is the jewel in Bath's play areas and a lot of money is spent making it really top notch. There is also a duck pond in the other parts of the park.

An alternative if you come in towards Bath on the A367, you will come past the Red Lion pub and then down a hill (was dual carriage way but is due to be redesigned so don't necessarily look for that). At the bottom of the hill the roads all open out and join on an area called Bear Flat. If you turn right here up the residential streets, at the very top is another smaller park called Alexandra Park - you should find it easy enough to park in here. Along one side of the park is a steep drop called Beechen Cliff - you can walk along here (not really a problem with vertigo and its got good railings etc for safety) and look down on Bath. If you are feeling brave you can walk down into Bath following one of the paths but be warned its a hard slog back up.

You can hire bikes at Dundas Aqueduct near Limpley Stoke which will then enable you to cycle along the canal towpath either into Bath or out to Bradford on Avon (see above).

I believe there are parts of the old Limpley Stoke to Camerton railway line that you can walk which would pass near to Wellow but its the wrong side of Bath for me so I'm not personally familiar. This of course was the line used in the making of the Titfield Thunderbolt film!

I'm sure you'll find plenty to do, the pubs out that way will almost certainly be welcoming and pretty decent otherwise they wouldn't survive with Bath on the doorstep to compete with.

Snakeeyes21

Bath over christmas?


No I prefer not to, I like to be able to get rid of my annoying relatives with my stentch

mac2008

Bath-Bristol railway path is nice for a walk or cycle - nice & flat. About 5 miles out of Bath on the path is the Bird in Hand pub. The walk down the canal from the city to Bathhampton & the George pub or Bathampton Mill is also great in the winter & not too long if you have young children. I believe Wellow also has a trecking centre - don't know about winter opening though. Think they have a website.

Prior park gardens (walkable from city centre) and Dyrham park (on A46 out of Bath towards M4) are both National Trust and well worth a visit. Dyrham has hundreds of deer and some spectacular views. Lackock Abbey also not too far away.

If you want a fantastic (but very expensive) meal for two, The Wheatsheaf at Combe Hay is a good bet. Also very nice just for drinks or lunch, and good walks nearby. Could walk there from Wellow.

Other good pub/restaurants for adult meals in the evening you might not come across easily in Bath are the King William (London road, fantastic food, good review by Giles Coran in the Times etc.), The Garricks Head (by the theatre Royal) and the Raven (Quiet street) for legendary pies & Mash if you're on a budget.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

redpete

I'll second the recommendation for The Raven. Also worth getting to the Cross Guns on the canal at Avoncliff, great location, good food and beer.

redpete

I'll second the recommendation for The Raven. Also worth getting to the Cross Guns on the canal at Avoncliff, great location, good food and beer.

So good he said it twice

Doh

RLH33

If you are staying in Wellow then there is the Fox and Badger in the village which is a supposed to be a nice pub, then there is the George Inn at Norton St Philip, really lovely and famous for being in many films.

If you want a walk then a cosy pub then you can walk along the Colliers Way which runs right through the village. There is a car free bit that runs from Wellow Trekking Centre all the way to Midford, passing along the old Somersetshire Coal Canal and railway, and in Midford is the Hope and Anchor Pub which is really nice.

There is also the stoney littleton long barrow in Wellow which is a short walk across the fields.

Good luck with the weather though, we have been hit with the snow at the moment and to be honest Wellow is not somewhere that I would like to get out of in the snow - too many hills and accessed only by lanes:D

shopndrop

Food is excellent in Fox & Badger and George Inn. Both lovely old fashioned places and definitely recommended.