ST7668 : A stone springboard?
Moderate; steep slopes, steps and mud

Little Solsbury Hill

192m Elevation
67m Prominence
England Country
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ST7668 : A stone springboard?

Neil Owen Photo source

Overview

Little Solsbury Hill

Little Solsbury Hill rises above Batheaston, northeast of Bath, to 191.8 m. Its 67 m prominence makes it a Tump. DoBIH places the natural high point on unmarked rough grass at ST 76792 67954; the trig pillar is a nearby landmark. Primary hill record

Landscape and history

The hill is capped by oolitic limestone, with thin clay beds described in the National Trust heritage record. The open top overlooks the Avon valley and Bath. Iron Age earthworks and later field systems remain visible; treat them as protected archaeology. National Trust heritage record, Historic England

A complete return walk

Use Bathscape Walk 9, Little Solsbury Hill Circular, starting and finishing at Batheaston Riverside Gardens. Its riverside approach leads through Bathampton and Bailbrook before the steep hill climb, then returns through fields and Batheaston. The common-route outline above follows the full published circuit; use the linked guide’s map and junction directions. The optional Tin Church visit is extra. No scalar walking time or independently measured ascent is asserted. Walk guide

This is not an all-abilities gentle stroll: expect steep slopes, steps and mud. Avoid the riverside section during flooding and respect any closure. Keep dogs on a lead around livestock and ground-nesting birds.

Travel and access

Batheaston Riverside Gardens parking has a two-hour limit. Do not assume that is enough for the circuit; use public transport or a lawful longer-stay option. Shops and refreshments are in Batheaston, and toilet availability should be checked locally. Bath Riverline visitor information

Check current buses to Batheaston and the last return journey. On 18 October 2026, First Bus route 3 runs between Bath city centre and Bathford; its continuation to Weston/RUH is suspended until November 2026 because of the Manvers Street closure. First Bus service information

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. The walking guide carries April 2022 and September 2023 check dates; this source check is not an on-foot inspection of current conditions.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Little Solsbury Hill circular from Batheaston Riverside Gardens

Start and finish at Batheaston Riverside Gardens car park on London Road East. Cross the Avon footbridge, follow the river to Bathampton Mill, then cross the toll bridge on foot and take the tunnel beneath it. Continue past the weir, meadows and rugby pitches; cross London Road West and climb via Eveleigh Avenue, Bailbrook Lane and the path beside the A46 to Swainswick Lane. Take the signed field path and steep climb to the hilltop trig. Follow the hill edge to the National Trust sign, descend through the gate and lanes, then follow the signed field paths and steps past the Church of the Good Shepherd to Batheaston High Street and the starting car park. Use Bathscape Walk 9 for junction detail. The 5.3 km total excludes the optional Tin Church diversion and any flood detour; the trig is a landmark rather than the exact natural high point. Source: https://www.bathscape.co.uk/activity/little-solsbury-hill-circular/

5.3 km Moderate; steep slopes, steps and mud
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

100-199m hill

Elevation

192m

629 ft

Prominence

67m

Coordinates

51.4101, -2.3351

ST767679

OS Map

172

Explorer: 155

At the Summit

The natural high point is unmarked rough grass at ST 76792 67954, recorded at 191.8 m by DoBIH. The trig pillar is a nearby hilltop landmark, not the recorded summit feature. Earthworks of the Iron Age hillfort surround the plateau.

Terrain & Geology

A grassy hilltop with steep approach paths. The full Batheaston loop also uses riverside paths pavements lanes and several flights of steps; it is not a step-free or uniformly gentle walk.

Little Solsbury Hill is capped by oolitic limestone. National Trust’s heritage record also describes thin grey clay beds and springs below the summit scarp. Limestone grassland covers much of the hilltop.

Views & Scenery

Views over Batheaston, the Avon valley and Bath from the open hilltop, subject to visibility.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

Little Solsbury Hill is the site of a scheduled Iron Age hillfort, with later field systems and agricultural use. It is also associated with Peter Gabriel’s song Solsbury Hill. The broad hillfort history is better established than precise occupation dates, which differ between visitor summaries.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The described loop starts at Batheaston Riverside Gardens car park on London Road East. Current Bath Riverline information gives a maximum stay of two hours; do not assume the whole walk will fit that restriction. Check signs and choose lawful longer-stay arrangements or public transport if needed. No free hill-base parking on Solsbury Hill Road is guaranteed.

Public Transport

Use current journey information for Batheaston, where the walk guide identifies a bus stop beside the start on London Road East. First Bus route 3 runs between Bath city centre and Bathford; its alert checked on 18 October 2026 says it is not continuing to Weston/RUH until November 2026 because of the Manvers Street closure. Recheck stops and return times before travelling.

Nearby Facilities

Batheaston offers shops and refreshments near the start; the route also passes Bathampton Mill. The guide lists toilets at the starting car park, but check current opening and charges. There are no visitor facilities established on the hilltop.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The ascent and descent can be very muddy and slippery; the route publisher advises against walking it after wet weather.
  • Riverside sections may flood. Follow closures and do not enter floodwater; a detour changes the published route totals.
  • Take care on narrow lanes, at road crossings and on the shared path used by cyclists.
  • Livestock graze the hill and meadows; keep dogs under close control and on a lead around animals and ground-nesting birds.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Little Solsbury Hill?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Little Solsbury Hill through the maps

Are there other walkers around Little Solsbury Hill?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Little Solsbury Hill search or of course create your own walk for Little Solsbury Hill

Can I organise a walk to Little Solsbury Hill?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Little Solsbury Hill?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Little Solsbury Hill here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: ST767679

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