Spokes 7 & 8
START: What3Words -bungalows.steps.frames
Add 1.3 miles to the distance to start and finish at Explore BoA (Tourist Information)
This walk follows spokes 7 and 8 of the Bradford on Avon Walking Wheel, linked by a short section of the outer circle. The spokes are waymarked with blue roundels and the outer circle green. Follow in a clockwise direction.
You start at the junction of Magnon Road and Downs Views in the NW corner of the town following the blue roundels of Spoke 7.
Enter the St Laurence School playing fields and cross slightly right towards a large, rounded tree then through the gate into a field to a stone stile. Cross a further field then 2 stiles into a lane. Cross over and negotiate 2 more stiles up into a field, following the fence on your right, go through a wooden gate and follow round the field edge.
Turn left through a gate and cross this field half left, through a wooden gate onto another lane. Turn left then right at the staggered crossroads to follow the lane past the back of Hartley Farm (toilets, shop & refreshments) for about 300m. Turn off left to cross two fields then on to another lane.
Turn right and follow this winding lane to Conkwell where you now pick up the green roundels of the Outer Circle. Follow the lane round to the right and in about 200m turn off left onto another lane that descends between Warleigh Wood and Inwood.
Follow this for about 500m and at the left hand bend go straight ahead into the woods. Follow this path to pass under the A363, up a short path and into a field (don't take the right hand path) which you cross diagonally right to the corner and onto the road.
Follow the road into Monkton Combe, passing the school on the right. At the staggered crossroads turn right to follow the blue roundels of Spoke 8. Immediately after the church climb up onto the footpath that soon bends half left then due South to the A363 at Farleigh Wick. Turn left and cross the road opposite the drive entrance to Inwoods; take the footpath to the left of the gate.
Follow this path through two fields. Turn left to cross another field between two sections of woodland and through a gate to descend between new tree planting to the stile at the bottom.
The next section over several large fields is tricky, so take care.
You bear left uphill aiming for a hedgerow on the rise. Go through the gap to next, small field then aim slightly right to the gap in the next hedge. Cross using the stone steps and keep the short section of hedge on your left.
The route is now unclear (particularly in summer when the crops are growing) as you are heading uphill with no distinct landmarks, eventually looking out for a gap in the line of trees ahead. These trees mark the line of the lane you will soon be crossing.
So, bear left away from the hedge corner and as you climb you will be aware of the main A363 road to your left. Aim for the corner of the field and the gap in the hedge to the right of the third large tree up from the main road (there is a big gap between the third and fourth trees).
Cross straight over the lane and into the next field. You are now on the MacMillan Way all the way into BoA. Although the foootpath crosses the field diagonally, it is best to turnright to follow the hedge on the right all the way round to the opening into the next field.
You now cross four more fields to eventually reach a recreation ground. Cross this half left to the road where Spoke 8 ends and you join the Inner Circle.
FINISH: What3Words - knowledge.headrest.ready