An easy walk to explore the Beckford’s Tower and its great panoramic views
You don’t feel like climbing steep hills and mountains but you still want to enjoy some great eagle eye views? Then this hike can be what you are looking for.
A typical British landscape characterised by endless valleys, green meadows, an abandoned eerie cemetery and an old tower with a great start and stop at one of the best gastropubs of the area.
Here is the Alltrails map with all the details of the walk step by step:
Facts About the Hike
Distance: 5 miles/ 8.4 km
Elevation Gain: 150 meters ascent/150 meters descent
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Map: You can download it from the Alltrails app to have the detailed directions step by step.
When to go: This hike is best during spring when fields are dotted with flowers or autumn when the leaves and the hills take shades of orange and yellow. This walk is not accessible when the Racecourses meetings take place in Bath.
Bring: Hiking shoes, water, snacks or lunch, a waterproof light jacket (remember you are in UK!), and of course, your camera.
Getting to the start of the hike
By Car: The Hare and Hounds is located on Lansdown Road, about 1.5 miles north of Bath city centre. You can park your car in the restaurant car park. Consider booking a table and to eat in this beautiful panoramic spot serving good quality food in a charming setting.
By Bus: You can take bus 31 or 620 going to Lansdown “Park and Ride” stopping right close to the Hare and Hounds restaurant at “Lansdown Park” bus stop.
On the Trail
This walk starts from The Hare and The Hound, one of the best pubs in the area for delicious home-made food, scenic views and familiar atmosphere. The trail leads you along the natural upland area of Lansdown Hill, with astonishing post-card views all the way.
Heading through hilly pastures and you will approach the Beckford’s Tower, the former retreat of a novelist, before crossing the playing fields reaching the Bath Racecourse. The circular walk culminates in the Prospect Stile viewpoint offering stunning views up to Bristol and the surrounding forests.
The 47m-high Beckford’s Tower was built in 1826 and used to be the study and library of the famous writer William Beckford. It is said that a lantern used to shine on day and night.
The writer is buried in the cemetery surrounding the tower which is now a museum well worth the visit considering the view from the top. If you want more information about this site click here.
After visiting the tower, continue following the path until arriving on the Racecourse plateau. Make sure there are no events organised or you won’t be able to access the fields. A little curiosity: did you know the the first major racecourse event in Bath took place 1811? Originally there was just one racecourse per year, but this grew steadily and there are now around 20 meetings each year. Bath is Britain’s highest flat racecourse, situated at 238 metres above sea level.
Once arrived at the Prospect Stile viewpoint you will be able to enjoy far-reaching views up to Bristol.
You can now turn right and follow the path leading you through different pastures and kissing gates until you get back to the Hare and the Hound pub where you can enjoy some great cup of tea with a lush cake!
More information about pubs walks
If you like walks starting and ending at pubs, this book maybe help you find similar hikes in the Bath area where you can enjoy nature and taste hearty meals before or after your hike!
Guide to Bristol & Bath Pub Walks (Country Walks)
