Somersetshire Coal Canal

The towpath along what remains of the Somersetshire Coal Canal makes for a proper slice of industrial archaeology, just outside Bath. This 22-mile waterway connected the Somerset coalfields to the Avon, and while most of it has vanished into fields and roads, you can still walk stretches of the original route and spot the occasional lock, bridge, or basin that survived the demolition crews.

It's not a destination that'll keep you riveted for hours - more a decent afternoon walk if you're canal-minded or interested in how Georgians shifted coal before the railways arrived. The towpath near Bath itself is gentle going, with enough historical markers to make sense of what you're looking at. Families with energetic kids will appreciate the flat walking and the novelty of spotting old canal infrastructure, though there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of.

Walkers and local history enthusiasts will get more from it, especially if you piece together the canal's story beforehand. The stretch near Tucking Mill is worth seeking out. There's no charge for walking the towpath itself - it's just a matter of knowing where to access it and what you're looking at.

If you're staying at somewhere like Widbrook Barns nearby, it's a logical add-on to a Bath visit rather than a standalone outing. Allow an hour or two depending on how far you fancy walking. Go in decent weather - boggy patches appear after rain.