Country Walks from Bath

Andrew Swift and Kirsten Elliott are the founders of Akeman Press and the leading historians on the city of Bath.

Bath is a city surrounded by countryside of extraordinary beauty and diversity – much of it little changed since the city’s 18th-century heyday.

The fourteen walks in their book, Country Walks from Bath, all start in the city centre, and explore our fascinating landscape, following ancient holloways and green lanes to visit civil war battlefields, lost pleasure gardens, country pubs, lost canals, iron age hillforts, Roman roads, abandoned quarries and much more.

Three of the walks explore the course of the disused railway where The Titfield Thunderbolt was filmed over half a century ago, and the final walk tackles the thorny question of whether stone circles once stood on the hills above the city. The book also looks at recent controversies, and explains why local people fought to defend the setting of the World Heritage site.

Now, the local experts and passionate walkers, Andrew Swift and Kirsten Elliott, will be taking us on a country walk starting from the bookshop. The walk will last approximately 2 hours and finish again with refreshments at the bookshop.

Please be aware that it is necessary to wear sturdy walking boots, and that the walk involves some fairly strenuous ascents, uneven paths, and steep steps. Kirsten and Andrew will split into two groups: one for more ambitious walkers, whilst the other will be easier. It’s also worth noting that, though it will likely not be as hot as recent days, we always recommending bringing your own water.

Join us in the bookshop at 9:30am for refreshments before we head off at 10am. Places for this event are limited, so do book early to avoid disappointment!