Starting and finishing on Batheaston High Street this circular route starts with gentle riverside views before climbing up to the top of Little Solsbury Hill and returning via the shops and cafe of Batheaston.
The top is 191m (625 feet) high and has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1930. The sides are owned and managed by Batheaston Freeholders Association. The two organisations work together very closely to look after the site as a whole. Little Solsbury Hill was occupied as a hill fort during the early Iron Age. Archaeological remains suggest people lived here between 500 to 100BC. There would’ve been about 30 buildings made from timber, wattle and daub. In more recent history, there is evidence of medieval field systems on the hill top, and the summit was still being used for agriculture well into the 19th century.
Mostly unimproved limestone grassland, in the spring and summer, it is covered in wildflowers, including early purple & pyramidal orchids. Keep your ears open for the remarkable song of the skylark, a groundnesting bird which breeds here (so please keep dogs to the main paths).
The hill was also the inspiration for Peter Gabriel’s song “Solsbury Hill”.
Best avoided in the winter or after prolonged periods of wet weather as the slope below the trig point is very muddy and slippery.
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.
