Avon

The county of Avon has, of course, now been dissected into the four unitary authorities of Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath, and North East Somerset. Whilst this might make sense administratively and politically, for our purposes the geographical region of Avon is more convenient. Bristol, located fairly centrally in the region, dominates the communications and economy of Avon. The other large centres of population are at Bath and Weston-Super-Mare. South of Bristol the region is relatively quiet and unfrequented by holiday makers, giving an air of seclusion to this unspoilt area of undulating farmland and pleasant villages. There is some peaceful if undramatic walking country to be enjoyed in this part of Avon.

In the south east is the beautiful city of Bath from where the Cotwold Way follows the escarpment northwards along the eastern border of the region Both the City and the surrounding area provide excellent opportunities for enjoyable walking.

On the southern border with Somerset lie the Mendip Hills with their characteristic deep gorges, carved over millions of years by rivers flowing through the soft limestone and leaving spectacular cliffs.

The Avon gorge provides some splendid walking including, at Leigh Woods west of Bristol, some Forestry Commission nature trails. There is a riverside footpath along the Avon from Bristol to Newbridge. The famous Avon Gorge bridge, built by Isambard kingdom Brunel, is perhaps the most recognised landmark of Avon, and even today represents an impressive feat of engineering.

Long Distance Paths Traversing Avon
Cotswold Way
Kennet and Avon Walk
Monarch's Way
Southern Coast to Coast

	Guide Books: [Click for further information or to purchase]
	Pub Walks near Bristol and Bath by: Nigel Vile. All the inns in the area are close to Bristol and Bath and are surrounded by excellent walking country. Every walk begins and ends at a particular pub. They vary in length from 2 to 7 miles and each route is described in detail with an accompanying sketch map. There are quiet strolls through woodland and over fields, in secluded river valleys and by lakes, and ascents to spots with magnificent views. You can walk beside the Severn Estuary, climb above Cheddar Gorge, and visit picturesque villages such as Wiltshire's Lacock, Somerset's Nunney, and Litton in the Mendip Hills. There are also walks from the interesting towns of Wotton, on the edge of the Cotswolds; from Chew Magna; and from Clevedon, with its Victorian pier.
	100 Walks in Somerset and Avon compiled by: Geoffrey Allen. Covers the whole of Somerset and Avon. It includes the Mendip Hills, the Quantock Hills and part of Exmoor. The book is ideal as a reference book for residents and for visitors to the region. The wide choice of routes are spread fairly evenly across the whole area. The walks vary in length from 3 to 12 miles, the majority being in the 4/6 mile range. In addition to the route descriptions, details are given of points of interest along the way, places to eat and drink and where to park the car. Sketch maps and route descriptions are on facing pages. Currently out of print but possibly available at libraries
	Cheddar Valley Railway Walk by: Douglas Kidder & Amanda Brading. This book relates the story of the rise and decline of the railway and the campaign for its eventual conversion for walkers. The north-south route, though a mere 10 miles in length, cuts through the Mendip ridge and traverses a remarkable variety of landscape and natural habitat. Topics covered here include the industrial archaeology, geology, and plants and animals that may be encountered along the trackbed and its environs. Finally, there is a full description of the walk between Yatton and Cheddar, plus a dozen circular walks of varying length - two from Yatton, one from Congresbury, five from Winscombe, two from the Axbridge by-pass and two from Cheddar, all of which feature a section of the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk.
	Somerset, Wiltshire and the Mendips Walks compiled by: Brian Conduit. Jarrold-OS Pathfinder Guide. 28 walks: Nunney Combe; Nettlebridge and Harridge Wood; Devizes and Caen Hill Locks; Leigh Woods and the Avon Gorge; Ilminster and Herne Hill; Langport and Muchelney Abbey; Axbridge and Cheddar Reservoir; Salisbury and Old Sarum; Lacock and Bowden Park; Fovant Down; Old and New Wardour Castles; Weston Woods and Sand Bay; Avebury; West Kennett and Silbury Hill; Glastonbury; Lambourne Downs; Uffington Monuments and Vale of the White Horse; Ham Hill, Montacute and Norton Sub Hamdon; Cadbury Castle and the Corton Ridge; Hinton Charterhouse and Wellow; Bradford-on-Avon, Westwood and Avoncliff; Pewsey Downs; Stonehenge; Cheddar Gorge; Tollard Royal and Win Green; Barbury Castle and Ogbourne St Andrew; Wells, Ebbor Gorge and Wookey Hole; Savernake Forest; Burrington Combe, Dolebury Warren and Black Down.
	One Hundred Walks Around Bristol by: Peter Brock. Area includes the Mendips, the Cotswolds, the Quantocks and the Wye Valley. The walk locations include: Bristol; Avon Gorge; Abbots Leigh; the Avon Walkway; Clifton Down; Shirehampton; Stapleton; Oldland Common; Keynsham; Willsbridge; Chew Magna; Wrington; the Mariners Path; the Gordano Valley; Clevedon; Tickenham Moor; Cadbury Camp; Coalpit Heath; Castle Combe; Swineford; Kelston Round Hill; Ubley; Rowberrow and Cheddar; Uphill; Weston-Super-Mare; Kewstoke; Aust; Thornbury; Chipping Sodbury; Hawkesbury; Sherston; Brent Knoll; Brean Down; Burnham-on-Sea; Chepstow; Caerwent; Wells; Holford; Kilve; Nether Stowey; Tadwick; Doynton and many others.
	Pub Strolls Around Bristol and Bath by: Roger Noyce. The 30 short walks, each combined with an opportunity to enjoy a good pub meal, will enable everyone, including families with small children, the not-so-young and the not-so-fit, to discover some of the area's beautiful countryside. Each stroll is circular and under 4 miles in length. The walk locations are: Almondsbury; Henbury; Frenchay; Castle Combe; Hinton; Clapton-in-Gordano; Abbots Leigh; Clifton Village; Bristol Harbour; Clevedon; Lansdown; Lacock; Dundry; Kelston; Bathampton; Bath; Congresbury; Chew Magna; Stanton Drew; Puxton; Limpley Stoke; Blagdon; Radford; Farleigh Hungerford; Norton St Philip; Cheddar Gorge; Priddy; Wookey Hole; Wells.