Jane’s Walk 2026 – Day 2

We leave the Lock Keeper pub where we finished last night and continue along the left bank of the Avon going east. It’s a lovely day with a cool breeze so perfect for walking. The path is quieter now as the walkers of yesterday are no more.

This stretch is through very pretty woodland although Moses is very unhappy having to walk over a long footbridge with metal slats pointing upwards, which is very uncomfortable on his feet. Very unfriendly to dogs, and he creeps along it looking miserable.

The river is lined along this stretch with numerous barges and motor launches, and behind is an untidy industrial area, but it is not clear what was happening there. Leaving this behind us, the river begins to flow through farmland with the hills of the Cotswolds to our left. They must have recently had much more rain than we have had in Oxfordshire, as the farmers have planted winter wheat which is visibly growing. The river is no longer a dark muddy brown as seen yesterday and looks clear and healthy. Whatever was being pumped into it downstream is behind us.

After a pleasant couple of miles, we meet up with our fellow walkers at the point we are meant to cross over the river by a disused railway line, which is in the process of being renovated. Unfortunately, we have to climb on to the line to cross the river, but there is no access down to the river path on the other side. After consulting cyclists and a couple working on the line, it was clear we will have to continue along the old railway, which would eventually meet up with the river further on at Salford.

We rejoin the river path, passing close by the gardens of a number of fixed houseboats. Brassware was made at Salford, and the Copper Mill at the edge of the river is now a museum. It was in production from 1750 to 1925 and were one of the many such mills along this stretch of the river. The Great Western Railway runs close to the river here, so our passage is a bit noisy. Eventually, the river bends and we leave the railway line.

Across the river on the top of a hill is the imposing Georgian Manor House of Kelston Park, which must enjoy incredible views. Here, Moses is able to get down the steep banks of the river for a much-needed drink. We are also pleased to be stopping at the Boat House for lunch.

After lunch, we all feel much refreshed and make good progress towards Bath on a well-maintained footpath. Entering the outskirts of Bath, we pass Dutch Island, an artificial island known as the cut and later named Dutch Island after the skilled Dutch workers brought to work in brass mills all along this stretch of the river. We finish our walk for the day soon after.