The Colliers Way is a 23-mile rural walking and cycling route featuring specially commissioned artworks, that leaves the Kennet and Avon Canal at Monkton Combe near Bristol, and meanders through impressive countryside along disused railway lines and quite country lanes.

 

Attractions en-route include the Radstock and Frome museums, Somerset Lavender Farm and the Dundas Aqueduct. The long and fascinating history of mining and life in the North Somerset Coalfields can be discovered at the Radstock Museum. Frome is also steeped in history with more listed buildings than any other town in Somerset.

 

You can hire bikes from the Bath and Dundas Canal Company, which is located near the Colliers Way start point. View a map of the Colliers Way here. 

Colliers Way Artworks

Stone Column by Jerry Ortmans is formed by seven stacked boulders reflecting the geological strata of the area (Chalk, Forest Marble, Freestone, to commemorate the pioneering work of William Smith, the ‘father of geology' who once lived at nearby Tucking Mill and who worked as a surveyor constructing the canal system in the area.  

Fussell's Railings by Jez Pearson commemorates the water force which powered the local Fussill's sharp tool factory. The work is made up of flowing forms that combine artistic and blacksmithing skills.

Enamel Sign Waymarkers by Elizabeth Turrell and Imi Maufe are set into bolders and name each of the fruit trees along the route, others are fixed to bridges along the route and echo old style station signs.

Cycle Sign Waymarkers by Elizabeth Turrell and Imi Maufe were cut from thermoplastic and heat welded onto the path as part of the artists work with local school children.

Genome Stripes (developed by Katy Hallett) are a 70 metre stretch of colour stripes representing the code for the gene BRCA2 laid in exact order along the route. They highlight the pioneering work of Sir John Sulston in decoding the human genome.

Simplicity Bench by Yumiko Aoyagi consists of a series of interlocking green-oak benches that are both ‘simple and practical', reflecting the ancient principles of weaving.

The Colliers Way Address:   

(For office and Information – not route start point)
National Cycle Network Centre
2 Cathedral Square
College Green
Bristol
BS1 5DD

England, UK

The Colliers Way Opening Times:

All year round

The Colliers Way Admission:

Free

T  +44 (0)845 113 0065

 

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W  The Colliers Way

More places to visit and days out in South West England

Bath and Dundas Canal Company Location (for bike hire and near route start point)