Detailed route description - Bristol to Glastonbury

Here is a detailed route description from Bristol to Glastonbury. This is all based on the notes Mark made when doing his test run. This is broken down into 4 sections, the end of each is suggested place for those who want to be part of the main group to catch up. Others, for example those going out and back in a day should find this useful for making their own way. But, first some notes on the two big descents:

On the route to Glastonbury the descent to Wookey Hole is narrow and can be busy with traffic coming up the hill.

On the route to Bristol the descent to West Harptree is not as steep but ends at a T-junction on the main road so control is needed.

Part 1: Queen Square to Chew Magna – approx. 15KM

·        Head out of Queen Square towards Temple Meads Station go right at the roundabout and onto a short cycle track and then onto the path, across the zebra crossing and past the casino.

·        Cross two more pedestrian crossings into the centre of the road – where there are a couple of run-down buildings – stay in the central part and bear right so that you are in the middle of the dual carriageway.

·        Cross the road in front of Temple Meads Station and immediately across its entrances heading for Bath. Keep on shared path and then go left under the railway bridge (a bit dark – so be careful of other users).

·        Having emerged from the tunnel you need to cross the road and get onto the real start of Route 3 – this is the 'Whitchurch Way'.

·        The 'Whitchurch Way' is indicated by the stencil of a bike on the route with a green rectangle underneath.  Look out for this for the next few miles.

·        The path follows the River Avon. Watch out for tree routes that have created natural speed ramps!

·        Close to Arnos Court the path goes under a bridge and up a ramp with a hairpin bend in it.  On reaching the path go left staying on the footpath across a side turning and onto the road (Sainsbury’s is on the right).

·        After a few hundred yards take the pedestrian crossings and go into Arnos Park – cutting the corner off to the exit onto a road.

·        Turn right and follow the road. Stencils on the road.  Go over the crossroads and at the end  at the T-junction go straight over and follow the allotments to Tesco (you are now in Brislington).

·        Stay on the path. Be careful where the path crosses side roads as the side road traffic has priority.

·        Go around to right and then left under the bridge. On emerging from this bridge go right (this is not clear) under another bridge and then right again.

·        Follow the brook very briefly before turning left through a housing estate.

·        On reaching the main road (again it's not too clear signage) get onto road and go left and right at the first roundabout (there may be an option to use the paths instead).

·        Continue along the road for a hundred yards and then turn right into a housing estate and onto an old railway line.

·        Stay on this narrow track to Whitchurch.

·        On reaching the main road go left onto the road and then right at the roundabout which comes out at the main A37.

·        Cross this and follow signs for Chew Magna. The route is now mainly on quiet roads.

·        Having left the A37 behind you may catch a glimpse of the Clifton Suspension Bridge to the right over the hedge rows.

·        After several miles you enter Chew Magna village take a left and then a right, the church will be on your left.

·        This leads to the main road where you turn left.  It took Mark an hour or so to reach to this point. There is a cafe on the left which may be a good place to regroup.

·        After this turn right onto a side road.

Part 2: Chew Magna to Priddy – approx.. 17KM

·        After you come out of the village turn right (DO NOT follow the road and signage for route 410).

·        This quiet road heads towards the Chew Valley Lake.  At the T-junction is the Chew Valley visitor centre and cafe is almost directly in front of you.  Another (probably better place to regroup).

·        At the junction go R and over the dam of the lake and into Chew Stoke.

·        At the next T-junction go left toward West Harptree (the route signage is missing at this junction).

·        At some point after the village a cycle track/shared path appears on the left. Get on this and head towards the lake.

·        There is a large layby by the lake – which on a sunny day would be a place to regroup (and the almost the last such place before The Mendip Hills).

·        After the layby continue on the path – this eventually ends and you need to get onto the road.

·        Pass the Blue Bowl Inn  and follow the road around to the right (do not turn towards West Harptree)

·        Head up to the main road – where you turn right and immediately left.

·        This is the start of the main climb of the day.  It is a steady gradient.  When you get to the Wellsway Inn (only open for booked functions).

·        Turn right.  At this point, whether you have walked or cycled up the hill you may want to stop for a bit of a recovery.

·        Take the first left – towards Cheddar (avoid the huge pothole).

·        Straight over at the main road.  This is a very nice part of the route, right on the top of The Mendips.

·         After about a mile or less the road starts to go down and your speed picks up.

·        There is an Army rifle range on the left. Start to slow down as there is a sharp left at the cross roads – and you immediately go up a steep hill, so you need to be in the right gear. This left turn is not clearly sign posted or expected.

·        Follow the road and at the next Main Road,  go right and immediately left to Priddy. There is one open pub in Priddy and one boarded up. The village green - with its burnt out bus shelter may be a place to regroup!

Part 3: Priddy to Wells Cathedral – approx. 10 KM

·        Having gone past the boarded up pub on your right – take the first R (not very clear).

·         After about a mile the southern edge of the Mendips appear with views across the Somerset levels – including the first glimpse of Glastonbury Tor.

·        There is a long steep (and dangerous) descent just after this. Stay in control of the bike.  Avoid loose gravel.

·        Eventually you arrive at Wookey Hole

·        Pass the blue policeman figures – look out for the tourists.

·        Follow the road to Wells.

·        As you get into Wells there is a set of traffic lights at the main road – just before these turn right across an area where there are cars parked, head towards a pedestrian Crossing.

·        Cross the road here.  Straight on and then left at the T-junction and straight on at the roundabout (there is Waitrose being built on the left).

·        Carry on up the road and turn right – this takes you pass the cathedral.

Part 4: Wells Cathedral to the Isle of Avalon camp site in Glastonbury – approx. 13KM

·        Turn left at the roundabout and up across the cobbled high street/market place (several cafes here).

·        The route goes through the archway to the Bishop’s Palace and then immediately right alongside the mote.

·        At the end of the path turn right and follow the route back to the main road.

·        At the main road turn left, and then onto the path before the roundabout; and then turn left on reaching the roundabout.

·        The shared path goes past Morrisons via a crossing.

·        Eventually take the right and under a bridge, then left onto quieter Road.

·        Take the first right (this is not very well sign posted)  onto a rough lane, potholed, gravel and grass in the middle.

·        Left at the next junction and then straight over at a crossroads (Launcherley Farm).

·        After a short while go right onto a long straight road (this turning is not very well signed).

·        Go left at the main road onto a shared path/track.

·        At the roundabout continue on the path as if to go straight over the roundabout.

At the roundabout there are three options:

1.      Head to straight to the Isle of Avalon campsite – turn left just before the roundabout down a minor, at a T-junction after about 1KM turn left, follow another minor road for about 1KM passing a staggered junction to a cross roads of minor roads, turn left and the Isle of Avalon campsite is just along the road on your right

2.      Head into Glastonbury – go straight ahead along the old road into Glastonbury town centre

3.      The long route – head off around Glastonbury Tor

·        Go left at the roundabout and follow the road. It takes you away from Glastonbury at first.

·        After about 3KM turn right up a short lane which becomes very rough and steep; head towards the tor.

·        The track eventually turn to asphalt - after a further climb a gate is reached where you can walk up to the tor.

·        Otherwise carry on and take the first right and follow this road down into Glastonbury.

Glastonbury to Bristol

Reverse the above, however, there is a one way system in wells so can't retrace steps exactly.