B9 Information

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ODD DOWN to MIDFORD

Waypoint	Map Reference	Bearing (magnetic)
START	ST 7336 6163	191
WP1	ST 7330 6125	94
WP2	ST 7455 6124	76
WP3	ST 7511 6142	45
WP4	ST 7523 6155	86
WP5	ST 7592 6165	83
WP6	ST 7633 6173	147
WP7	ST 7651 6150	209
WP8	ST 7612 6068	256
WP9	ST 7483 6026	305
WP10	ST 7457 6042	316
WP11	ST 7425 6071	222
WP12	ST 7378 6012	276
WP13	ST 7354 6013	303
WP14	ST 7300 6043	38
WP15	ST 7340 6103	340
WP1	ST 7330 6125	11
START	ST 7336 6163	-

General:- This 7 mile route has a bit of everything the Bath hinterland can offer; wooded valleys, streams, derelict canals, yet surprisingly there are no steep climbs. The path passes through a short but narrow tunnel soon after waypoint 14 and a shallow stream shares the route. Large stepping stones make passage easy under normal conditions, although I would recommend a torch, but after sustained periods of rain it is not suitable for children or less able adults; Leave it for summer days is my advice. If you need to avoid this section carry straight on at waypoint 13 to rejoin the route at waypoint 15.

South Stoke is a beautiful village worthy of a film location but I don't recall it being one; it has a very good pub too.

Much of the walk after waypoint 8 follows the Limestone Link route. The path runs alongside the old Somerset Coal Canal; one of the most successful in the country, it was carrying over 100,000 tons of coal per year in the the 1820's.There were two arms to the canal from Midford. Just before waypoint 10 you can see a lonely bridge (actually an aqueduct) in a field over to your left where the canal peeled off to Radstock. The upper arm which our route follows went to Paulton via 22 locks at Combe Hay, you can still see the remains of these locks. If you want to learn more of the canal's history go to www.tjhomepages.users.btopenworld.com/historya.html

Pub at halfway point.

How to get there: Park in the Odd Down park and ride. When it's not open on Sunday's park in Combe Hay Lane. The car park lies on the A367 just SW of Bath. The Combe Hay Park & Ride is well signposted whichever way you approach it.