Browne’s Folly – Conkwell 13km Circular

Distance 13km, 8mile circular walk, steep beginning, then undulating and downhill.

Take in views of Bath from the lofty heights of Browne’s Folly, then walk along the ridge through shady ancient woodland and back along open valley via the Dundas Aqueduct. The route has easy to follow footpaths and quiet roads taking in spectacular views and finish with a pint in The Crown.

MAP & DIRECTIONS

Walking Map & Directions – below is a fully interactive map with directions, elevation & distances. Download the plotaroute app to follow the route with a few simple steps.

THE WALK

• We prefer to start our walks with a steep hill and finish on a downhill, so parked opposite The Crown pub in Bathford.

• Weave your way up through the very picturesque village of Bathford. If you’re walking during late March, early April, you’ll witness the most magnificent magnolia trees in flower. There’s one in particular in the churchyard that is spectacular, having grown low to the ground and over stone graves.

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• A steep hill climb takes you to the entrance of Browne’s Folly. Go through the small car park and take the path to the left and follow it up to the folly. The incredible views across Bath from the top are what makes this part of the walk so popular.

• Browne’s Folly nature reserve covers 100 acres of ancient woodland and flower-rich grasslands on the remains of old Bath stone quarries. On the lower elevations several rare plant species can be found including Bath asparagus, bird’s nest orchid and white helleborine. The old mines are home to six species of bat including the rare greater horseshoe bat, and the reserve is also noted for its butterflies and fungi.

• The folly itself, a square-based stone tower built by local quarryman Wade Browne in 1848, supposedly to promote the quality of his building stone. There’s nothing to stop you climbing the stairs apart from common sense, they look distinctly lacking in any real support!

• The path continues to the left along the ridge along uneven rocky paths, through shady Rowbarrow Woods and Bay’s Wood. As you start to descend you’ll see wild garlic and bluebells growing. Walk left along a section of the very fast Bradford Road A363 and cross into Sally in the Woods. There are spectacular carpets of wild garlic growing which should flower late March, early April.

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• The path is lovely and flat through the woods then joins Warleigh Lane, through Warleigh Wood and Blackberry Lane. Shortly after Conkwell Farm take the footpath on the right which descends steeply down to the spectacular Dundas Aqueduct. The Angelfish Cafe is nearby and a handy halfway lunch spot.

• Just before crossing the aqueduct there are stairs which we took down to the rowing club. We sat on the steps near the pontoon for a drink and a snack. We then headed right along the river, through several lush green fields and over a few stiles. We then rejoined Warleigh Lane and followed it back past Warleigh Manor house to Bathford.

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• TERRAIN: mixture of dirt footpaths which can get very muddy after heavy rain and quiet roads with one short but busy road section.
• PARKING: plenty of free parking near The Crown and in Bathford. Option to park at Brown’s Folly.
• LENGTH: 13km / 8miles
• DURATION: 3hrs
• ELEVATION: 315m of climbing, almost all at the beginning
• PUB & CAFE: The Crown pub and the Anglefish Cafe at the Dundas Aqueduct
• DOG FRIENDLY: some animals on the route