Whether it be driving down Widcombe Hill into the centre of Bath, strolling along Bristol's Park Street or walking the hilltops above the Westbury White Horse in Wiltshire, Kelston Round Hill always seems to crop up in the distance.

This ubiquitous landmark, with a small spinney on top of its summit, is arguably the best-known physical feature in the Bath and Bristol region.

The views from this lofty perch are as one would expect. Not only does the outlook encompass much of Bath and Bristol, there are also the Mendip Hills to the south, the Brecon Beacons to the west and the Wiltshire Downs away to the east.

Below the Round Hill we find Kelston itself, where the church was the subject of inevitable Victorian "improvement".

The village also boasts Tower House, a very private residence with a somewhat bizarre claim to fame. It was here that the water closet was allegedly invented.

Sir John Harington, godson to Queen Elizabeth I, set about making a "necessary" for his godmother and himself in 1596.

A rather accomplished inventor, Harington ended his career with this discovery, for he was ridiculed by his peers for this absurd device. He never built another one, though he and his godmother both used theirs.

The Old Crown Inn is a cosy low-ceilinged hostelry that was originally an 18th-century coaching inn. With its flagstone floor and church pew seats, as well as a beer engine in the main bar, this is an inn with a truly traditional feel and atmosphere.

Being a Butcombe hostelry, Butcombe Bitter and Gold are two of the fine real ales that are available, in addition to other local ales such as Bath Gem and Wadworth 6X.

The home-cooked meals are well known locally and the Old Crown is a busy and popular inn. Children under 14 are not allowed inside. Opening times are 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5pm to 11pm on Monday to Friday; 11.30am to 11pm on Saturday; noon to 10.20pm on Sunday. Telephone: 01225 423032.

1.

Return to the main road, turn left – passing the Old Crown Inn – and in 250 yards turn right along a cul-de-sac lane by Mill Barn Farm. Follow this lane uphill for 600 yards to a left-hand bend. At this point, bear right across the verge to a stile and follow the permissive footpath uphill to Kelston Round Hill.

Follow the fence to the right around the clump of trees on the hilltop to a stile, and continue ahead to the trig point. Drop downhill to a stile in the bottom field boundary, and join the Cotswold Way. Follow this enclosed path to the right for three-quarters of a mile.

2.

Just before reaching a property, turn right along a gravelled track for 100 yards, cross a stile and follow the left edge of a field to the next stile in the corner of the field by Dean Hill House. In the following field, head across to a stile in the far left corner, where the field narrows. Head across to a gate in the next field, just to the left of a barn. Follow the grassy path beyond this gate to a fork, then bear left downhill to the next gate.

Keep straight ahead, walking between a brick building and a spring, to a gate and stile opposite, before continuing along a field path to a gate on the far side of the field. Continue along a track down to the A431, before turning right back into Kelston.

Places of interest:

Bath is a World Heritage Site best known for its Roman Baths and fine Abbey, as well a plethora of magnificent Georgian architecture. For further information, telephone the Tourist Information Line on 0906 711 2000.

The Avon Valley Railway, a five-mile return train ride along the former Mangotsfield to Bath Green Park branch of the old Midland railway, is based at Bitton Station just a few miles west of Kelston.

The former Midland railway station has been painstakingly restored from a derelict site to provide visitors with refreshment and toilet facilities, a railway shop, a pleasant garden and outdoor seating.

A wide variety of main line and industrial steam and diesel locomotives can be viewed in the former goods yard, along with carriages and wagons.

Telephone 0117 932 5538 for more details or vist the website at www.avonvalleyrailway.co.uk