You don’t have to live in Bath – many of our members live outside the city in towns and villages of Wiltshire, Somerset and even further afield.

Our walks go anywhere in and around Bath; Wiltshire with occasional forays into Oxfordshire and Dorset; Somerset with visits to the Yeovil area and Somerset Levels; and of course Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, and sometimes, Herefordshire.

As well as our walks, short group holidays are arranged twice a year to destinations across the country; recent ones have included visits to the Weald in Kent and Shropshire.

We are a friendly group with no age limits and non-members are welcome to come along for 2/3 walks before becoming members. Visitors to Bath are also welcome. If you feel you need further information it is a good idea to read the Walks Programme or contact the walk leader for precise details.

We have walks on Sundays and most Wednesdays ranging from 4 -14 miles.

Some walks are over fairly flat terrain but others will involve some hillwalking, as you would expect in areas such as the Cotswolds; although the views in some places are compensation for any extra effort. Each walk is led by an experienced member and no-one gets left behind.

GETTING STARTED

Your First Walk

If you’re not already a member, do come along and join one of our walks for a free trial.

From February 2022 onwards as a result of changes to our walks programme Bath Rambling Club walks will in future be graded in this way:

Sunday Walks:

Longer walks: > 9 miles
Meet 9.00am - consult Walks Programme for details.

Medium walks: 7 – 9 miles.
Meet at 9.30am at Laura Place.

Shorter walks: 5 – 7 miles
Meet at 9.30am at Laura Place.

Wednesday Walks:

Wednesday walks: 7 – 9 miles
Short Wednesday walks: 4 – 5 miles
For all Wednesday walks consult Walks Programme for details.

We recommend that new members contact the club at least two days before any walk to confirm the precise arrangements.

The midweek (Wednesday) walks rely on public transport and will often start at the bus station in Bath. As a result the starting times in the morning will vary.

It is a good idea to turn up at the starting point 10-15 minutes before the starting time and make yourself known to the members waiting there. The walk leader usually gives a brief description of the walk before setting off so you will know who she or he is, and will answer any questions.

Remember to bring a packed lunch and something to drink, ideally a rucksack or similar. Walking boots or shoes are a good idea especially in muddy conditions although trainers may suffice. Likewise, a waterproof jacket may be needed to counter both rain and wind; and remember the weather may change over the duration of a walk.

For more detailed advice see our Members page.

Bath Rambling Club walks before February 2022

Before February 2022 Bath Rambling Club walks were graded in a slightly different way which dated back to the foundation of the club many years ago.

It has been decided to keep these walks on the website as they are a valuable source of ideas for walks by new and existing members.

Before February 2022 Bath Rambling Club walks were graded:

Sunday walks:

B walks: 11–14 miles
C+ walks: 7 – 10 miles

Midweek walks:

Normally on a Wednesday these were 7– 10 miles in length but included some shorter C walks which are only 4 -5 miles in length.

Writers, Walks and Journeys

FOUNDED IN 1955

Club History

Bath Rambling Club had its origins in the move of civil servants to Bath from London in 1939, many of whom worked for the Admiralty. Some of them formed the nucleus of members when the Club was founded in 1955 on the initiative of Ray and Margaret Little (Chairman and Secretary) who were active members of both the Rambler’s Association and Youth Hostels Association.

Initially, the Club depended on public transport but by the early 1960s cars began to be used as well. Since that time the membership and walks programme has grown considerably and included short walking holidays as it does today.