Cotswold Voluntary Wardens work with Jess Gay from Julian House to begin installing way markers for the Circuit of Bath route around Bath.
New signage installation has begun last week for a walking route around Bath, as part of the Bathscape Scheme. The ‘Circuit of Bath’ takes walkers on a 20 mile circular route around Bath, taking in the magnificent views of the city itself, local towns and villages, and the spectacular countryside.
Circuit of Bath waymarker close up, image by Nicole Daw
Covering the hills and valleys within and around the city of Bath World Heritage Site, the Bathscape Partnership of organisations, community groups, and conservation bodies oversees the National Lottery Funded Bathscape scheme, to co-ordinate management of habitats and encourage more people to get out and enjoy the landscape. The scheme aims to engage with more than 4,000 people on guided walks and organised nature-based events and to make it simpler for thousands more to access the exciting network of local walks and trails, including the Circuit of Bath.
For a real challenge, the Circuit of Bath can be walked in a day, and local charity Julian House, who support vulnerable and at-risk individuals across South West England, have been doing just that for the last 20 years. The route, which was previously not waymarked, has been central to the charity’s annual fundraising objectives. This year, they have offered two opportunities to complete the route – the first was in April and the second will be on 26th September, which will also coincide with last day of the annual Bathscape Walking Festival. The route can be easily broken down into sections.
Having the route waymarked and included as part of the Bathscape Scheme allows people to explore this walk all year round – enjoying the changing seasons of the countryside around the city, and also helping people stay in top condition for the annual challenge set by Julian House.
Jess Gay, Senior Community & Events Fundraiser at Julian House said: “The Circuit of Bath sponsored walk is a really important event in our fundraising calendar – especially this year. The sponsorship raised by those taking part in the event will be used to help fund our vital services, including our hostel and domestic abuse refuge, which have been in high demand during the pandemic and will likely continue to be as the country continues to navigate a way out of the pandemic.”
Dan Merrett, Bathscape Manager said, “We’re delighted to see the waymarking begin on this fantastic route around Bath, and we hope that by making it more accessible, people will be encouraged and inspired to support Julian House by taking part in their annual sponsored walk of the route.”
The Circuit of Bath way marking discs are being installed with help from the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens – the volunteer arm of the Cotswolds National Landscape, in which the Bathscape is located. Work by the Wardens and the local Ramblers group will continue into the future to maintain and improve the Circuit of Bath route with the aim of keeping it accessible so that people can continue to explore and get to know the beautiful countryside on Bath’s doorstep.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Thanks to the vital support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The World Heritage Enhancement Fund, Network Rail, Bath & North East Somerset Council and partner organisations, the Bathscape Scheme has received funding of £2.2 million to cover its many different activities over the next five years.
- For more information about the Bathscape Scheme, please visit www.bathscape.co.uk or contact Lucy Bartlett at lucy.bartlett@bathscape.co.uk
- For more information about Julian House, please visit www.julianhouse.org.uk or contact Jess Gay at jessica.gay@julianhouse.org.uk
- For more information about the Circuit of Bath sponsored walk to fundraise for Julian House, please visit https://www.circuitofbathwalk.co.uk/
- The Bathscape Partnership board oversees the work of the scheme and comprises: Avon Wildlife Trust, Bath & North East Somerset Council (lead partner), Bath Preservation Trust Bath Spa University, Cotswolds National Landscape, Federation of Bath Residents Associations, National Trust, University of Bath, Visit Bath, Wessex Water. The Circuit of Bath route is a celebrated piece of work from a partner perspective as it crosses several section of land owned by them. The route is a great way to introduce people to the work done by the Bathscape Scheme’s partners.
- The Cotswolds National Landscape was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1966 in recognition of its rich, diverse and high quality landscape. www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk
- The Cotswolds National Landscape is looked after by an independent organisation (officially titled Cotswolds Conservation Board) established in 2004 which has a small employee team along with 37 board members – 15 nominated by local authorities, 8 by parish councils and 14 appointed by the Secretary of State.
- The Cotswolds is the third largest protected landscape in England after the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks and represents 10% of the total AONB area in the UK. It covers 2,038 square kilometres (790 square miles), stretching from Warwickshire and Worcestershire in the north, through Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, down to Bath and Wiltshire in the south.