Iron Acton’s Hidden Lanes

A lovely walk along Frampton End Lane and across fields to meander the charming back lanes of Iron Acton. Wonderful views across the pretty Frome Valley. Couple of stiles and a few steps. Can be muddy and slippery after rain so sturdy footwear advised.

Start opposite Church Rd café, approx 3.5 miles.

1. Walk along Frampton End Rd for approx 200 metres. Turn Right beside house number 36 onto signed footpath and follow between houses. Turn Left to go along edge of field behind houses: over stile and along back alleyway to its end (another stile); continue straight across field to road.

2. Turn right into Frampton End Rd and follow its meanders. Alternatively (to avoid some of road and if footpath is not overgrown) there is an unsigned footpath at gap in hedge on left, opposite next road junction, continue in same direction (as road) along edge of field & come out further along Frampton End Rd. Exit footpath over banked gap on Right and a metal farm-gate is opposite.

3. EITHER turn Left along Frampton End Rd OR if metal farm-gate on Right (or opposite footpath exit from field) is unlocked, go through gate and Turn Left to follow edge of field to corner, where you exit via a kissing gate, a short path and a 2nd kissing gate. Turn Right onto Frampton End Rd.

4. Follow road, across bridge across the River Frome and round to left, passing Algars Manor on your right and crossing railway.

5. Take the SECOND signed footpath on Right (just after T junction) along surfaced path and straight through metal farm-gate to walk past allotments.

6. Go over stone stile in wall ahead. Then straight along short path and over 2nd stone stile.

7. Turn Left into field and follow hedge to exit field via wooden stile beside wooden farm-gate.

8. Go straight ahead on surfaced track to Iron Acton High St, where you Turn Left, cross road and continuing to end.

9. Turn Right at end (in front of White Hart pub) and Turn Right into side road – when road goes left, TURN RIGHT to find a small footpath between houses.

10. At end of footpath, turn Left into side road and look on RIGHT for long metal gate to enter wide grass walkway (if you reach end of road you've gone a little too far).

11. Follow grass, keeping Right as it opens out beside Tennis courts; go over tiny stone bridge between tennis courts & play area, Turning Right to follow hedge to a footpath on Right.

12. Follow footpath that leads into a side road. At end of side road, Turn Left into High Street.

13. Cross High Street and go into Church yard. Follow Church path and Turn Right to go down path and under church tunnel (MIND HEAD!)

14. Continue on path to go over stile, follow path over 2nd stile into playing field.

15. Walk straight across playing field to another narrow path opposite.

16. Exit path over stile and turn Left into road – TAKE CARE and keep on grass verge – Turn Left almost immediately into Frampton End Rd.

17. Go over railway lines and continue past Algars Manor and bridge. Turn Right up track beside house (as road bends left) and keep left of the house to climb stile into field.

18. Continue to follow trodden path diagonally across field, over stile and straight on through horse fields, over another stile and through kissing gate to Turn Right down hardcore track on edge of field

19. Exit at end of track beside farm-gate (Alternatively, if passable, veer left to follow hedge to exit via kissing gate in hedge)

20. Turn Left into Hover’s Lane and follow this to end. Turn Right to follow Frampton End Road back to café. TAKE CARE crossing Church Rd to café.