Twerton · Bath

Things to do in Twerton

Twerton is Bath's western working neighbourhood, sitting in the Avon valley below the hills. The Two Tunnels Greenway starts here — the reason most people outside the neighbourhood know it exists. The river towpath is quiet and direct. Twerton Roundhill is a genuine SSSI nature reserve on the southern slope, unknown to almost everyone who does not live nearby.

Five places worth your time in Twerton

Two Tunnels Greenway

Frome Road, Twerton, Bath BA2 1EQ

Free

The Two Tunnels Greenway begins at the western edge of Twerton and runs 13 miles south through two Victorian railway tunnels toward Radstock. The Combe Down Tunnel at 1.6 miles is the longest cycling tunnel in Britain — internally lit throughout, silent except for tyres on tarmac, cut through solid Bath stone. The route is shared walking and cycling, traffic-free, and surfaced well enough for road bikes. The northern trailhead is 10 minutes' walk from Twerton High Street.

River Avon towpath

Newbridge Road, Twerton, Bath BA1 3LP

Free

The Avon runs through the southern edge of Twerton, and the towpath connects west toward Saltford (4 miles, mostly flat) and east toward Bath city centre (2 miles along the canal). The Twerton section is quieter than the Bathwick stretch — narrowboats moor here, dog-walkers use it daily, and tourists have not found it. The Newbridge Road access point gives the flattest route in or out of the city for cyclists living on the western side of Bath.

Twerton Roundhill

Twerton Hill, Bath BA2 1DW

Free

A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the hill immediately south of Twerton. The chalk grassland on the south-facing slope supports rare plant species and the views north across the Avon valley toward Bristol are better than anything you can see from the tourist circuit. The footpath access is via Twerton Hill — a short, steep walk from the valley floor. Completely unvisited by tourism. Worth knowing.

Newton Park campus walks

Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN

Free to walk the surrounding footpaths. Campus buildings closed to public.

Bath Spa University's Newton Park campus sits 2 miles west of Twerton in a landscape garden setting. The public footpaths around the campus edge give access to parkland, a Grade II-listed estate, and views south across the Avon valley. The campus itself is not open to the public, but the surrounding paths (accessed from Newton St Loe village) connect to the Limestone Link walking route.

Twerton High Street

High Street, Twerton, Bath BA2 1BZ

Free

Twerton's own high street runs along the valley floor — independent shops, a hardware store, a post office, a community pub. It functions as a working local high street with no tourist infrastructure. The Crown Inn has been at the bottom of the High Street for generations. The area has a history as a cloth-milling village before Bath's expansion absorbed it; a small amount of the industrial heritage is visible in the older buildings on the river side.

When to visit Twerton

The Two Tunnels Greenway is at its quietest on weekday mornings. The Combe Down Tunnel is lit and accessible year-round. Weekends bring more cyclists, particularly on summer mornings when the trailhead is busy from 9am. The northern end of the route is better accessed from Twerton than from the city centre on busy days.

Twerton Roundhill is best in late spring (May–June) when the chalk grassland wildflowers are at their peak, and in autumn for long views across a clear valley. The access path can be slippery after rain — good footwear is useful.

The river towpath is excellent year-round at any hour. The Twerton stretch is least busy before 9am and after 6pm on weekdays.

Staying near Twerton

Twerton is primarily residential. Visitors staying in Bath for cycling or walking access to the Two Tunnels Greenway typically base themselves in the city centre and cycle out. Budget hotels on the Lower Bristol Road are closest.

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