Sue Gearing enjoys some superb views across Bath and Bristol on this walk taking in stretches of the Cotswold Way

This is a moderate South-Cotswold circle between Bath and Bristol circling a round Prospect Stile viewpoint on the Lansdown plateau. Use OS map 155, Bristol & Bath, ref: 690 692. It is six miles, about three hours' walking. Park in Swineford picnic area, just off the A431 between Bitton and Kelston. Turn down the side of the Swan Inn. Ignore the Swan car park and continue on through a farmyard to the attractive picnic area.

The walk takes you on a steady climb up from Swineford to the famous viewpoint of Prospect Stile. Breathe in the fresh air and absorb the vistas on this delightful walk.

It's flat, high walking through a hillfort and an old British camp and a gradual ascent to Upton Cheyney where there's a farm shop, cafe and a beautiful old pub.

The car park is only half a mile downhill from there. Just by the start is another welcoming pub, the Swan at Swineford.

This is a very good dog circle – walking is on footpaths, old tracks, the Cotswold Way and quiet lanes and there shouldn't be too much mud.

START

From the Swineford picnic area, turn towards the car park entrance and take the footpath on the left through wooden posts down the side of a house. You pass to the right of a stone waterfall and leat and cross a stile into a field.

Head across, bearing very slightly left. There are already good views over this green and undulating countryside. A stile on the far side brings you to another field. Carry on across this in the same direction as before, aiming for the high point of the hedge ahead. Here under the trees find a marked stile.

1. TRACK

Cross on to a path which becomes a sunken stony track under trees and climbs steadily. Reach a slightly open area with a metal gate on the right where the track bends left. Go straight ahead up a very small path to a hidden marked stile. Once over, follow the path along and around a corner following the fence, over a stile, and come out in North Stoke village.

2. NORTH STOKE

Turn right on the lane. Shortly, at the right bend, go straight ahead on a Tarmac track which soon becomes a footpath. Follow this as it climbs and then levels out, going along the side of the hill with great views, particularly across to distinctive Kelston Round Hill and its topping of trees. Down on the right you can see the River Avon snaking its way from Bristol to Bath. Go through a metal gate on the way.

3. JUNCTION

After about a mile, reach a four-way junction. Go left through a tall wooden deer gate, joining the 100-mile Cotswold Way.

Pass a sign for Shiner's Wood and follow the right hedge straight on and then climb for a few minutes and go through a wooden gate and come up to bench seats – a great resting place to soak up some of the views.

Just above is the topograph at Prospect Stile. There are good views and on a clear day you should be able to see the Westbury White Horse.

4. PROSPECT STILE

From the topograph, turn along the hill edge, keeping it on your left, still on the Cotswold Way. Ahead over on the right is Bath Racecourse. Turn right, following the field edge, and with the outer ditch of Little Down Hillfort on your left.

5. FORT

Follow the Cotswold Way left across the centre of the hillfort looking across the Avon Valley ahead. On the far side, carry on through a gate and descend a little on a grassy track. Turn right on the CW, now walking below the hillfort and with the valley down on the left. Go through a kissing gate and continue on across a field. At a crossing track, turn right and go uphill.

6. GOLF COURSE

Go through a gate and continue on the CW with Lansdown Golf Course on your right and Pipley Wood on your left. At tee 7, continue ahead on the main track. Reach a marker post, and continue ahead, still on the CW, which is now a bridleway and could be a little muddy.

Reach another marker post and turn left on the CW, with the golf course on your left and woodland on your right. Go over a crossing track and maintain direction, dropping down a little. Come to the end of the golf course and ahead is a metal gate.

7. GATE

The CW bears off and you go straight ahead through the gate. Follow a track down. A gate brings you on to a stony track which before long becomes Tarmac. All you do now is follow this downhill with views over left to North Stoke, the village you clipped earlier.

Pass the old school and reach a junction on the edge of Upton Cheyney. Carry on and reach Manor Farm, which has a welcoming farm shop and cafe, serving teas, coffees and cakes. At the weekend, you can also get a ploughman's, rolls and soup.

8. UPTON CHEYNEY

Continue straight on through Upton Cheyney, a handsome South Cotswold village of old stone houses, ignoring side-turns. Pass Upton House and reach the very attractive old Upton Inn, open all day, every day.

After a couple more minutes on the lane, at a right-hand bend, go left through an opening on a stony track towards a modern wooden barn with footpath arrows on the gate. Go through and straight on downhill through two solid metal gates. A metal kissing gate brings you into a field. Follow the left hedge ahead and then turn left through the hedge line into the parking area.

The Swan, Swineford, BS30 6LN. Tel: 0117 932 310. The Upton Inn, Upton Cheyney, BS30 6LY. Tel: 0117 932 4489. Manor Farm Shop, Upton Cheyney, BS30 6LY. Tel: 0117 932 8800.