Discover the beauty on your doorstep with a circular walk from Knowle to Barston Ford, one of Knowle’s hidden gems. This peaceful spot, where the river Blythe gently crosses the lane, has long been a favourite for locals seeking a quiet escape into nature. Whether you’re up for a longer ramble or a shorter stroll, we’ve got two lovely routes to choose from – both offering fresh air, countryside views, and a perfect reason to explore.
3.5 Mile Circular walk to Barston Ford:
Looking to stretch your legs a little further? This 3.5-mile route takes you on a rewarding circular walk through Knowle’s surrounding countryside, with plenty of open views and peaceful paths along the way. It’s a gentle adventure that gives you time to soak in the scenery before reaching the tranquil spot at Baston Ford.
One section of the walk is along Elvers Green Lane, which whilst quiet, does have some traffic. The lane is narrow so you’ll need to take care. You can avoid walking on the lane by reversing the route, (walking down the canal & across Waterfield farm towards the ford first) and then coming back the same way.
- Start from any car park in Knowle although the one by the Primary School and the Church is particularly convenient.
- Proceed to the corner of the car park, by the entrance to Knowle Primary School and join the path that leads between the school grounds and the churchyard. This leads into the Childrens’ Field. Walk directly across this, following the hedge to your left, to exit, turning left, onto Kixley Lane.
- After a third of a mile along Kixley Lane, you will reach, and cross, a canal bridge.
- By the entrance to Kixley Farm, proceed onto the footpath straight ahead and follow it, across a footbridge, over a small field and into the field beyond. Here, proceed up the slope following a hedge on your right. This eventually brings you to metal gate where you can exit and turn left onto Elvers Green Lane.
- Continue along Elvers Green Lane, taking care for sometimes fast moving traffic, especially by the sharp bend at the bottom of the hill, until you reach the ford, the River Blythe, and the footbridges.
- At the end of the second footbridge there is a metal gate. Pass through this, into the field and follow the path between the field and the river until you reach another metal gate with a footbridge beyond, over which you cross the river into the field beyond.
- The path here briefly doubles back along the river and then crosses the field at an angle towards the far left corner (There is a pylon on the hill almost directly behind the corner that you are making for). At this corner, cross the stile by the gate into the next field, where a track leads up the field towards a group of trees and a distant house beyond on the hill.
- Then, at the top of the field, turn left for some 50 yards or so and then right again into a pathway alongside the converted barn, before crossing its driveway and through a gate into the field beyond, to follow the further path along its left hand hedge.
- As you head for a tall pylon at the top of this field, you join a farm track. This passes through a gateway and on past the left side of the pylon. This track eventually leads between the buildings of Waterfield Farm and to its entrance gate, where you turn left along the driveway to join Hampton Road and left again to, almost immediately, reach the canal bridge.
- Here, a fairly steep path leads you down onto the towpath where you continue in the same direction.
- Follow the towpath until you come to a high metal footbridge, which you cross into the field beyond the canal. Follow a clearly defined path leads up and left across the field and through a wide gap into a further field and eventually leads to a metal gate. Pass through this to a fork in the paths, at which you turn right to cross a wooden footbridge over a brook and then emerge into Godwin Lane.
- Proceed alongside the cricket and football club grounds, turn left into Hampton Road, Left again by the Wilson Arms, onto the High Street to return to your car.
2.5 Mile Circular walk to Barston Ford:
Short on time or just fancy a lighter stroll? This 2.5-mile version offers a shorter route to Baston Ford while still giving you a taste of Knowle’s charming rural landscape. Ideal for families or casual walkers, it’s a relaxed way to enjoy a bit of nature close to home.
- The start is from the car park by the canal on Hampton Road. Join the canal and walk in the same direction of the downwards slope towards Knowle.
- Continue walking along the canal towards Knowle until you get to Kixley Lane Bridge. Come off the canal, turning right
- By the entrance to Kixley Farm, proceed onto the footpath straight ahead and follow it, across a footbridge, over a small field and into the field beyond. Here, proceed up the slope following a hedge on your right. This eventually brings you to metal gate and exit onto Elvers Green Lane, where you turn left.
- Continue along Elvers Green Lane, taking care for sometimes fast moving traffic, especially by the sharp bend at the bottom of the hill, until you reach the ford, the River Blythe, and the footbridges.
- At the end of the second footbridge there is a metal gate. Pass through this, into the field and follow the path between the field and the river until you reach another metal gate with a footbridge beyond, over which you cross the river into the field beyond.
- The path here briefly doubles back along the river and then crosses the field at an angle towards the far left corner (There is a pylon on the hill almost directly behind the corner that you are making for). At this corner, cross the stile by the gate into the next field, where a track leads up the field towards a group of trees and a distant house beyond on the hill.
- Then, at the top of the field, turn left for some 50 yards or so and then right again into a pathway alongside the converted barn, before crossing its driveway and through a gate into the field beyond, to follow the further path along its left hand hedge.
- As you head for a tall pylon at the top of this field, you join a farm track. This passes through a gateway and on past the left side of the pylon. This track eventually leads between the buildings of Waterfield Farm and to its entrance gate, where you turn left along the driveway to join Hampton Road and left again to, almost immediately, reach the canal bridge.
- Continue along Hampton Road back to the Hampton Road car park.
A well earnt refreshment
After a lovely walk across fields, along canals and rivers, you’ll want a little refreshment. Grab a coffee and cake at one of our fabulous cafe’s or something stronger at one of our bars. If you’ve worked up an larger appetite, take a look at one of our fabulous restaurants. For hot days, why not grab an ice-cream from Knowle Traditional Sweet Shop?
If your walk to Barston Ford is with your four-legged friend, you can check out which of our members welcome dogs in our blog featuring dog friendly businesses in Knowle.
We hope you enjoy your walk to Baston Ford – a peaceful and pretty spot on Knowle’s doorstep.