In search of Battlefields

It’s a Sunny day in June and we are allowed to meet up in groups of 6 for some outside adventuring. Socially distanced of course.

So where to go .. Claverton Down … check, Banner Down … check, Although not sure I told you about that one yet. Charmy Down … check. So Lansdown it is.

Landsdown is the home of some of the most iconic Bath architecture of the Circus and the Royal Crescent designed by John Wood father and Son partnership but we were after much earlier historical sites of note.

Our timing was perfect after waiting for a short downpour to end and off we went towards the village of Woolley with the plan to loop up and around and end up on the Landsdown Battlefields. On 5 July 1643 this was the scene of a punch up between one time friends Sir William Waller and Sir Ralph Hopton respectively a Roundhead and a Royalist. Neither fella actually won it seems.

Back to the route … a short steep up, down and along to Woolley past lovely flowery fields.

Left turn up what is apparently one of the best running descents in Bath if you are in to that kind of thing as a couple of my companions are.

Past another pretty flowery vista.

And up onto Landsdown and the Monument in memory of Civil War Commander and Royalist Sir Bevil Grenville who was one of the casualties at Landsdown as the head of a force of Cornish Pikemen. Not sure why he warranted a monument built 100 odd years later but it is a strange curiosity.

There are some flags marking the battle locations which conveniently mark our route.

We then popped out adjacent to the Landsown Golf course and the route gets more popular and busy with Sunday afternoon walkers.

There is a group of brilliant sculptures near the Golf course cafe which was serving from a table outside. I need to pop back up there with more time and fewer people and find out more about the Artist. This was my favourite piece an I managed to catch a snap with no intruders.

It seemed appropriate for the battlefield and today’s grim times. Although difficult to be too depressed on such a beautiful day.

Incredible views across to Bristol and looking out onto to the Kelston Round.

Then through the race course, past Beckford’s Tower and round the nose of Landsdown to skirt back down to our starting location … you can just see the roof of our house from here.