BEYOND BRISTOL - 24 COUNTRY WALKS

August 2026. Walk 4, Point J – Blockages Removed, Waymarking Restored

Following reports to the Highway Authority by a user in July 2026 and subsequent clearance of overgrown vegetation by the author, the footpath access through to the main road and across into the opposite parkland has been greatly enhanced, including fully restored waymarking.

May 2026. Walk 11 – Estate Management Works Completed/ Necessary Short Diversion between D and E (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

22.05.26. Author re-checked as he has been doing periodically since disruptions caused by estate management/ forestry works on the Hazel Manor Estate were first reported on 04.09.23.  The major works appear to be finally complete, with any related site notices now removed. The amended route shown in the April 2025 imprint can be reaffirmed. This notification is only relevant to the pre-April 2025 imprints.  

The ‘hunting gate’ referred to in the earlier inprints just after point D, has been entirely removed.  Furthermore, there is no longer any sign of the removed stile through the (now!) electric fence ‘at the fourth tree’ on the right along the driveway. At this point, the landowner has permanently closed off the permissive footpath previously relied upon.  Instead, therefore, continue straight along the driveway for about 200 metres. Turn right along the enclosed track. Proceed for about 400 metres until reaching a major field gate on your right. Take the opposite track off to the left and proceed to the gate at the end and then on towards the farm buildings, where you revert to the original instructions.

January 2026. Walk 3 – Temporary Footpath Closures after D due to Water Main Installation

07.01.26.  Author found temporary ‘closure’ of the route just beyond point D and onwards into Hinton village, likely to be for the next two to three months. Obvious alternative footpath routes also appear to be affected.  A simple diversion is recommended along minor roads.  From D, turn left, first right and right again. Follow along the main village street through Hinton, rejoining the main route at the Bull Inn.

July 2025. Walk 12 – Overgrown Footpath / Minor Modification. (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

After point G and emerging from the wooded track after Prospect Stile – the permissive footpath off to the right, created between the hedgerow and the paddock has become increasingly overgrown. The matter has been reported to the Highway Authority, who are in discussions with the landowner.  In the meantime, it is expedient to follow the adjacent track on the other side of the hedgerow and rejoin the recommended route upon reaching the stile exit from ‘the stable yard’ out on to the ‘lane’.

Immediately before point K, after passing the ‘house over on the right’, instead of turning ‘left’ at the field corner as originally directed, turn right and through the gate on to the driveway. Proceed straight downhill and out on to the ‘lane’, where you ‘turn right’ (as originally directed).

January 2025. Walk 5 – Minor Temporary Diversion after F

03.01.25. Just beyond point F, the very start of the signed elevated footpath above ‘the very narrow enclosed lane with steep banks’ is completely blocked by fallen trees, following the recent storms.  Instead, continue up the lane for about a further 100 metres. Immediately after the farm driveway entrance opposite, take the obvious path up the embankment. Upon linking back into the elevated footpath, continue as instructed. Blockage reported to Highway Authority 04.01.25.

April 2025. Walk 5 – Clarification of Route between I and J. (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

Between points I and J, additional Cotswold Way signage within Westridge Wood has caused a slight complication. Just beyond having taken the ‘central of three options’, you should continue to follow the yellow Cotswold Way signs – thus ensuring that you pass the Iron Age hill fort, Brackenbury Ditches.

January 2025. Walk 3 – Slight Change/ Incorrect Indication of I. (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

Beyond point H, after exiting ‘the field by a gate’, proceed for less than 100 metres (rather than the ‘about 150 metres’ indicated) to reach the ‘crossing path’.  Take the gate in the right-hand fence, descend through the scrub and take the further gate.  Continue down the long field towards Doynton, visible ahead.

Although the text reads correctly otherwise, point I is incorrectly shown in both the text and on the map.  It should be where you ‘turn left to join a green lane’.

January 2025. Walk 18 – F Incorrectly Shown on Map. (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

Point F is incorrectly shown on the map.  It should be shown at the south-west corner of Maes Knoll fort. The text is correct.

September 2024. Walk 7 – Slight Route Variation between F and G. (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

After following ‘along the fence’ beside the ‘further quarry’, take the gateway into Healls Scars wood and on to the crossing path.  You no longer cross to the ‘chain gate’.  Instead, bear left along the crossing track for 30 metres (as now waymarked) and then take the right-hand turning. Descend for almost 150 metres, in the process ignoring the initial right-hand fork. Upon reaching a T-junction, bear ‘around to the right’ and back uphill to reach the edge of the woodland. Exit on to the ‘open plateau’ as per the original instructions.

April 2024. Walk 13 – Minor Permanent Diversion after E. (As amended in April 2025 reprint)

‘The disused farm buildings’ referred to have been converted into residential accommodation.  Consequently, as indicated, the footpath which previously followed straight through ‘the farmyard’ has been diverted around the left-hand edge of the whole property curtilage.  Follow through the new gate into the field, continue along the property edge and ultimately exit by the field gate at the far end of the field – to rejoin the route of the original path.

Point H and the precise route of the walk in its vicinity are shown slightly incorrectly on the map.

September 2021. Walk 2 – Diversion. (As amended in April 2022 reprint et seq)

07.09.21. New path has been provided, avoiding the necessity to pass directly through the concrete works. Although not essential, use of this ‘permissive’ path is now recommended. Before D, instead of turning right off the disused railway path by the container, turn left and follow the gravel path into the woodland, within the rear boundary of the works. Reconnect with the the main route by crossing the stile out into open countryside after point D, as stated.

April 2025. Walk 2 – Refreshments. (As corrected in April 2025 reprint)

Suggested refreshments on p12 of the April 2022 reprint only have been incorrectly printed.  As per all five previous imprints and the corrected April 2025 reprint, these remain the Talbot Inn, Mells or the Bell Inn, Buckland Dinham.’