Parking on the narrow roads around Freshford can be a problem. Parking in pub car park by prior permission on Mon/Tue/Wednesday otherwise parking on road. If parking a problem then an alternative is to start/finish at point 8. The walk can be reached from neighbouring towns by bus or train. Bus: Route 94 Bath to Trowbridge alight Freshford. Train: Alight Freshford from Bath, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge.
Navigation
Turn left past The Inn and follow the road up the hill to St Peter’s Church 1 on your right. The church originates back to the 14th century but there have been many changes over the years.
Continue down the hill and turn right along a short path in front of the old brewery whose chimney is a landmark which takes you into a wooded area, on reaching the gate turn left along the edge of the field for 200m before passing through the gate at the end of the field which takes you out onto Crow Lane, look back at the way you have come and admire the views across the Limpley Stoke Valley.
2 Turn right onto Crow Lane and then in 400m turn left up steep steps (the turning is way marked) until you emerge at the top opposite St Mary’s Church. Leaving Church Lane behind you, go up the steps by the side of the church 3 and through two gates into the field, go straight across the field down a steep hill and up the other side to another gate. (At point 3 you may consider a short diversion for refreshments at the Galleries shop and cafe). Continue across the next field to another gate. Keep straight along a narrow footpath to a tarmac track which joins the road 4.
Turn left onto the road, after 50m go straight across the cross-roads. The village pump on your right was installed in 1931 and last used in the drought of 1976. Turn left opposite Pear Tree Cottage – a finger-post 5 marks the way. Follow this path through three gates until you reach the T-junction where just beyond, you turn right,then through another gate. 6
Keep straight on through the field keeping close to the hedgerow on your left. After 375m negotiate the ‘squeeze-stile’ at the end of the field into a lane which leads you onto the road. Turn left onto the road, 7 and then shortly left again, opposite Abbotsleigh Coach House, onto the road through Sharpstone. Continue on this road until you reach the War Memorial on your left, 8 then turn right off the road down the steps and follow the path along to the next gate on the right.
Go through the gate and turn left down the steep path which may be muddy in wet weather, to The Inn at Freshford. The River Frome on your right floods frequently after heavy rain, the bridge was constructed in 1530.
Info
Difficulty
Easy
Length may vary, but the terrain is mainly flat
Moderate
Includes some hills and some rough ground
Strenuous
May be rough underfoot and ascents and descents may be steep
Info Suitability
Mobility scooter
These routes are more likely to be suitable for standard mobility scooters (not all-terrain models). They may feature flatter or smoother terrain.
Pushchair friendly
These routes are more likely to be suitable for prams or pushchairs. They may feature flatter or smoother terrain.
Stile free
These routes do not have stiles. Please note that they may have kissing gates or footbridges, and/or steep, narrow or muddy sections.
Trampers
These routes are more likely to be suitable for all-terrain mobility scooters. Please ensure you have plenty of battery and are well prepared for any routes.
Wheelchair friendly
These routes are more likely to be suitable for standard wheelchairs (not all-terrain models). They may feature flatter or smoother terrain.
