An enjoyable and interesting rural walk which also takes in some of the industrial heritage of the area. Ram Hill Colliery site is of special interest on route as is Bitterwell Lake, an artificial lake formerly used by the local coal mining industry and now used for angling, and the Dramway which was used to transport coal in horse drawn wagons to the River Avon near Bitton. Optional walk round Lake (please don't disturb anglers) where there are seats. Next to Bitterwell Lake is a children’s play area with lovely wooden play equipment. Can be muddy so sturdy footwear advised. A few stiles. Refreshments in either the Village Hall/Miners Arms or either pub (check opening times).

Start at Village Hall/Miners’ Arms, Badminton Road.

1. Turn Left from Village Hall and immediately Left into South View Crescent.

2. Go straight ahead to follow path next to Manor Field and Manor Hall.

3. Turn Left up road (Roundways), passing pub on your Right & school on Left; cross both Roundways and St Anne’s Drive to enter field on corner of St Anne’s Drive. (At far side of field can be seen small mounds that are the spoil tips from past coalmining.)

4. Walk straight toward gate ahead. Continue through it, following footpath signs straight ahead to next gate where you turn Right, as directed by footpath sign.

5. At corner of field, go through bushes to cross over railway (Ha'penny Bridge) and continue to end of path (You can visit Ram Hill Colliery site through gate on Right, opposite old railway houses).

6. Turn Right past houses and then Left down Ram Hill (road).

7. Continue down road, passing Serridge Lane on your right and Turn Left down long lane/track, marked ‘SOUTHWOOD’.

8. Continue down lane and go through gate/stile straight ahead (as lane turns sharply left).

9. Follow path through woods, over stile and straight across field, then between hedges toward Boxhedge Farm, turning sharp right to go through farmyard.

10. Turn Left out of farm/B&B and then Right to walk down road for approx 500 metres.

11. Turn Right along signed Dramway path beside house and through gate into field.

12. Follow straight edge of field, past bluebells (in April/May) till reach road (Ram Hill Rd).

13. Turn Right and then Right again into Bitterwell Lake recreational/fishing area. (You may wish to walk round lake quietly - please don’t disturb fishermen - or just sit and admire the view. The children’s play area is beyond end of path that’s above lake.)

14. Return to road and follow path opposite signed ‘Dramway’. This follows the hedge, curving round to the right (can be muddy or churned up by horses at stiles/gates).

15. Cross road and continue on path beside sports club (home of “Paul’s Place”). (Look for holed stones along path where old dramway sleepers were once attached.)

16. Continue along path through kissing gate and, at end of path, Turn Left along road (Ram Hill – passing old station gate posts on Right)

17. At end, turn Right under Railway Bridge.

18. Follow this, Henfield Rd, back past Ring O’ Bells pub.

19. Cross road to re-trace steps straight ahead along path beside Manor Hall. Then straight ahead to follow South View Crescent back to Village Hall (Check opening times for refreshments here or at Badminton Arms a little further along road).

Using the map. The map shows the main walk in yellow and alternative routes in red. The Start/End point is marked with a yellow diamond and points of interest on the route are marked with a red pin. Click on a red pin to see descriptions and photos.

Use the +/- buttons at the bottom of the map to zoom in or out. Use the icon at the top right of the map to get a full screen image.