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Just a short hop east from the historic city of Bath, you'll find a lovely stretch of the Cotswolds where the River Avon and Kennet and Avon Canal create a natural focal point for the area.
In Bathampton, the water really is the heart of things. You can take gentle walks along the canal towpath, watching boats work their way through the lock, or hire one yourself for a peaceful journey towards Bath or across to Bradford-on-Avon. The village pub sits right by the canal and makes an ideal spot to rest between activities, and St Nicholas church is definitely worth stepping inside.
Head a little further up into the hills and you'll reach Monkton Farleigh, which offers a quieter atmosphere with sweeping views across the valley. The impressive Monkton Farleigh Manor stands here, originally built as a monastic grange, and its presence speaks to the deep history embedded in these villages. The area also has a more recent and rather unusual past – it was home to a vast underground quarry that played an important military role during the twentieth century, though these spaces aren't accessible to visitors anymore. Both villages serve as excellent launching points for countryside walks, giving you a genuine sense of rural Somerset at the Cotswolds' edge. They're easy to reach from Bath, making them perfect for a day trip or as a base for exploring the wider region.
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