Local Walks in Freshford and Limpley Stoke Area

Freshford is located on the Somerset/Wiltshire border, six miles south east of Bath, at the confluence of the Rivers Frome and Avon. It is a perfect starting point for a number of walks that take in this secluded location of the southernmost end of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The West Country landscape setting within a valley, framed by hills and woodland, gives particular character to the area which has featured in various historical dramas including an ITV production of Robin Hood.

In both villages you will find a variety of traditional building materials, including remnants of the industrial past; in Freshford there is Dunkirk Mill, Freshford Mill and former weaver’s cottages and the familiar landmark of the brewery chimney.

Bath stone cottages and villas, and gardens with climbing roses, and an old coaching inn make this a popular destination for visitors from Bath, not least because the train line stops in the village.

In fact it’s possible to get from the Thames to the Avon in less than two hours and be in glorious countryside enjoying some of these walks below.

Freshford Galleries is the perfect place to start or end your walk or cycle with the car park just a minute off the A36, and the shop and cafe for supplies or a snack or lunch.

There are toilets and a water station, a childrens playground behind the village hall, and free wi-fi. Ring ahead to book tables for a group of friends or a club.

Freshford Galleries features on the Komoot website where you can find lots of walks and runs and cycles starting from the shop and cafe. Or you can click on a few of the routes we have set up below.

By downloading Komoot on your phone you can follow the map quite easily.

2 hours, 4.5 miles – Tour map and description

Arriving in Freshford by car you can park at Galleries and buy some drinks and snacks, or arrive by train and head directly to the hamlet of Friary by walking to Sharpstone and down a small path (or down Rosemary Lane) to Dunkirk Mill where the path continues to this idyllic place.

From here the path continues to follow the edge of the woods all the way to Iford Manor which is well worth a visit and a stop at the cafe or restaurant.

From there follow the narrow lane back to Freshford and through the village back up to Galleries.

2.5 hours, 5 miles – Tour map and description

Starting from Freshford Galleries head over the field behind the hall and up the hill to the church, cross the road to a path that cuts through to Crowe Hill and walk down the hill to Limpley Stoke.

Pass through the village and turn right under the railway bridge and over the river and start up Winsley Hill a short way before taking a path on the left which runs alongside the Kennet and Avon canal.

The canal takes left into Dundas Wharf and along to Brassknocker Basin where there is a cafe and facilities.

Crossing briefly onto the Lower Stoke road, take the path across the playing fields and cuts through to Monkton Combe and then climbs through the woods to cross the Warminster Road onto Woods Hill and through Middle Stoke back to the church and then back down to Galleries.

This is an intermediate hike with one or two busy roads to cross.

2.5 hours, 5 miles – Tour map and description

This is a great country walk crossing fields to reach the English Heritage site at Farleigh Hungerford Castle.

From Galleries Shop and Cafe walk through the village past Sharpstone and down the path to Dunkirk Mill and onto the Old Friary where you can buy some local honey.

Carry on through the forest and across the big field to Iford, cross into the next set of fields heading straight towards Farleigh Castle which you will see ahead.

From the Castle take the path that cross the streams and ends up meeting the road where you cross an old stone bridge and then take the lane to the left which goes uphill and then look for the path on the left that cuts across to Iford where you can get refreshments at the Manor cafe and restaurant and then follow the lane back to Freshford via the Inn.

1.15 hours, 2.85 miles – Tour map and description

This is an easy walk from Freshford to Avoncliff along the River Frome and then the River Avon to see the famous aqueduct.

The hike starts at Galleries and goes through the village to Freshford Inn, crosses the bridge out of the village and almost immediately goes over the stile on the left and then crosses the field to the stile.

Follow the path along directly to Avoncliff where you can have further refreshments at the pub before heading back the same way.

The St Edith of Wilton Way

This winding trail over 40 miles is a pilgrimage route through the Cotswolds National landscape and beautiful rolling countryside mostly classified as of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Wilton and Bath, and it follows a number of historic sites along the way including several churches named after St Edith.

The pilgrimage relates to the 10th century St Edith of Wilton, daughter of King Edgar the Peaceful, a princess who became a nun at 15 years old and although asked to take over as queen after her brother’s martyrdom, remained in the nunnery until her death at 23.

She founded St Magdalen’s hospital in Wilton, caring for the poor and the lepers and outcasts, giving alms and shelter for this in need, and after her death in 984 was promoted by the Kings of England (Ethelred, Edmund, Canute and Edward the Confessor) to be venerated as a saint and became one of the most venerated female saints of England, known for her piety and generosity.

St Edith’s Way was launched in 2021 and full details can be found on the British Pilgrimage Trust website and on AllTrails. The start point locally would be St Mary’s Church in Limpley Stoke, which was first dedicated to St Edith in the Saxon era and remained so for 500 years until being renamed during the Reformation. Some who worshipped there would no doubt have made a pilgrimage to the nunnery at Wilton where St Edith spent most of her short life. Nowadays the site of the nunnery, which is the end of the pilgrimage, is on the grounds of Wilton House which is well worth a visit.

Summary of route:

Stage 1 – Limpley Stoke to Dilton Marsh (9 miles)

Stage 2 – Dilton Marsh to Heytesbury via Warminster (8 miles)

Stage 3 – Heytesbury to Wylye (8 miles)

Stage 4 – Wylye to Baverstock

Stage 5 – Baverstock to Wilton (5 miles)

Download the GPS file from the British Pilgrimage Trust website here, and the route description here.