Want to see a different side of Bath? Get involved in the upcoming Bathscape Walking Festival 2021 and experience the glorious countryside, charming villages and hidden valleys surrounding the city.

Bathscape Walking Festival aims to showcase Bath as a fantastic walking destination, bursting with beautiful landscapes and fascinating historical treasures. 

This year’s event will take place across a whopping two weeks, from Saturday 11th September right through to Sunday 26th September 2021. There are lots of events for the whole family to enjoy, including free guided walks, group walks, downloadable walking trails and many other activities. 

Here’s our guide to the highlights:

• Cleveland Pools Trust self-led walk – 11th September, 11am

A chance to visit the Cleveland Pools site as it’s being restored, with volunteers from the project on hand in Kensington Meadows to talk about the restoration and answer questions. There’s also a self-guided 3-mile walking tour to try out, with maps available on site or to download in advance.  The walk also coincides with the Kensington Meadows family fun day, the official launch of the festival. 

• Bath’s LGBTQ History Walk – 12th September, 2.30pm

A guided walk of around 1.5 miles led by Robert Howes and Charlie Beaton from Gay West and OutStories Bristol. The walk starts from a meeting point at the War Memorial in Royal Victoria Park, and explores local sites of historical and social significance from an LGBTQ perspective. 

• Wildlife and Wellbeing Walk at Newton Park – multiple dates

Join wildlife conservation lecturers from Bath Spa University to learn more about the wildlife at the Newton Park campus, including endangered species such as great crested newts and lesser horseshoe bats. This 2-mile walk also focuses on how interaction with nature can improve both our physical and mental health. 

• Hidden Corners of Bathwick – 16th September, 2pm

Join Bath history expert Andrew Swift to explore the remnants of the old village of Bathwick, learning all about its history on a fascinating 3-mile walk. 

• Bat Walk Carr’s Wood – 17th September, 7pm

One of a number of evening bat walks (including walks at Bath City Farm and Kensington Meadows), this is an exciting chance to spot and learn more about the mysterious nocturnal creatures that live in the wood. The walk is family-friendly (suitable for accompanied children aged 5 and upwards) and should last around 90 minutes. 

• The Lost Gardens of Grosvenor – 23rd September, 10.30am 

Bath heritage and walks expert Kirsten Elliot leads a 1.5-mile historical walk outside Grosvenor Place, where the Grosvenor Pleasure Gardens once were. Built on an ambitious scale, the gardens closed to the public after just 10 years. Find out why and explore the former site of the gardens on this brilliantly informative guided walk.  

How to get involved

Many of the events during the Bathscape Walking Festival 2021 are free, but you’ll still need to register to secure your place. Head to the website for the full list of events and details for booking. 

And if you have a full itinerary of walks planned, you’re going to need somewhere comfortable to rest your weary feet at the end of each day. Book yourself a stay at one our beautiful self-catering apartments in Bath city centre, all conveniently located for the meeting points of many of the festival’s best events.