Brown's Folly Walk
This walk visits Brown's Folly near Bathford and Monkton Farleigh on the Somerset/Wiltshire border.
The 19th century tower is surrounded by a nature reserve with woodland, wildlife and countryside views.
There is a public car park just below the tower where you can start the walk. The route then takes you along Bathford Hill where you can enjoy some wonderful views over the surrounding countryside and the nearby city of Bath. The surrounding reserve includes flower-rich grasslands, ancient woodland and the remains of old Bath stone quarries.
Browns Folly Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Browns Folly Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Browns Folly OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Browns Folly Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Bathford Hill, Brown's Folly. The tower was constructed in 1845 by Colonel Wade Browne, the squire of Monkton Farleigh Manor, to provide employment during an agricultural recession.
View from Bathford Hill. Taken from open ground near Brown's Folly. The local TV transmitter near the left hand edge is at the top of Bathampton Down ST7765 which has Bathampton at its foot. The higher of the two roads in this area is the A36 to Beckington and Warminster. The lower is a local road going to Batheaston via a toll bridge over the River Avon. The hill to the right is the bottom of Lansdown hill, and the countryside between is north Somerset looking toward Farmborough and Pensford.
Bathford
Phtoto taken from a clear patch on Bathford Hill. On the distant skyline in the centre is a row of trees planted along the top of Freezing Hill. ST7271 Immediately beneath them, and just below the skyline is the top of Little Solsbury Hill. ST7667 Moving left we can see the northern end of Lansdown, where the battle of Lansdown was fought in 1643. Lansdown Hill continues to the edge of the picture. To the right of Freezing Hill part of Charmy Down appears, there is a disused airfield at the top which is still put to good use by model aeroplane and glider enthusiasts. About half way down we have part of Batheaston, the railway line out of Bath and the Batheaston bypass are almost hidden by the trees at the bottom.
Woodland on Bathford Hill
Open patch on the side of Bathford Hill