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North and west of Bath you can find walks through the Mendips and Cotswolds

Blagdon Lake north west of Bath is popular for fishing

Chew Valley Lake, a popular beauty spot around Bath

Chew Valley Lake is also popular for fishing

Around Bath North East Somerset

Bath is in the far north east of Somerset. From here you can explore the Cotswolds by picking up the Cotswold way that wends its way north through some of England's most picturesque towns and villages. Over to the west of Bath are the Mendip Hills and countryside. There are lots of walks over the green, rolling countryside. Chew Valley Lake provides both fishing and birdwatching opportunities.

Just outside Bath is Bath Racecourse at Lansdown Hill - the highest racecourse in Britain. To the east of the centre, overlooking the city and the wooded Limply Stoke Valley is the eighteenth century Claverton Manor and Gardens. The Manor has been converted to house the American Museum which covers all aspects of American history.

Bath Racecourse Lansdown Hill

Just two miles to the north west of Bath's centre situated on Lansdown Hill is Bath Racecourse. It is the highest racecourse in Britain and regularly hosts a programme of flat race meetings both during the week and at weekends.

It is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere although it does offer a range of ticket prices for both Grandstand and Premier Enclosures. The dress code is "smart casual" and there are a range of restaurants, bars and food outlets within the Enclosures.

You can hire the racecourse for private functions and weddings, conferences and exhibitions. Bath Racecourse also offers private hospitality packages. Check their website for more information. For further information contact Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath BA1 9BU. Tel: 01225 424 609. Fax: 01225 444 415. Email: info@bath-racecourse.com

The Cotswold Way National Trail

The Cotswold Way is a long distance walking trail that runs between the market town of Chipping Campden in the north of the Cotswolds and the city of Bath. It takes in some of the best historical sights in Bath and North East Somerset through to the picturesque Cotswold villages. The trail is 102 miles long in total, but you can do as much or as little as you like breaking your journey in local pubs, hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation along the way.

The official Cotswold Way website has a route planning facility and interactive map to help you plan your trip - check the link right.

The American Museum in Britain Claverton Down

Just outside Bath, to the east of the centre, overlooking the city and the wooded Limply Stoke Valley is the eighteenth century Claverton Manor and Gardens. The Manor has been converted to display the collections of two antique collectors, American, Dallas Pratt and Briton, John Judkyn. This makes up the comprehensive collections of The American Museum in Britain which covers all aspects of American history. Judkyn was a Quaker so there are no military artefacts in the collection.

Fifteen rooms have been decorated to replicate how Americans lived tracing the story from the early settlers to the mid nineteenth century. There is a whole host of exhibits relating to America including Native American objects and over 200 American crafted quilts in the Textile Room including some made by Amish people. Downstairs is the American Heritage Exhibition which is a permanent exhibition with touch screens and question boards which acts as an introduction to the Museum and America for adults and kids alike. The Museum also has an Exhibition Gallery in which a variety of exhibitions are hosted seasonally. The Museum also organises a range of events throughout the year like quilting workshops and living history events. Check their website, link right, for up-to-date events and exhibitions.

You can take a stroll around the gardens or take one of the guided tours with members of the gardening staff that will explain some of the inspiration behind the gardens and American Arboretum. There are also two walking trails that either take you through the Arboretum or the Backwoods Trail that takes you through native woodland, Norwood Common.

The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD. Tel: 01225 460503. Fax: 01225 469160. Email: info@americanmuseum.org

Bath Golf Club

Just near Claverton Down is Bath Golf Club. Established at Hampton Down in 1880 it is one of the country's oldest inland courses.

Bath Golf Course is an eighteen hole, 71 par course that hugs the contours of the limestone hills on which it lies.

Bath Golf Club: Sham Castle, North Road, Bath, BA2 6JG. Tel: Managing Secretary 01225 463834. Email: enquiries@bathgolfclub.org.uk

Walks through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Over to the west of Bath are the Mendip Hills. These are a limestone ridge of hills that gives North Somerset much of its character with rolling green countryside dotted with flower rich grasslands, ancient hedgerows and woodlands. This landscape is fantastic for all sorts of wildlife including a huge variety of bat species including the rare horseshoe bats.

The Mendip Hills are a focal point for enjoying the countryside in North Somerset whether it be walking or outdoor activities. As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty activities are managed to conserve the character and protect the landscape and wildlife of the area. The Mendip Hills AONB Service produces an excellent interactive map on their website which pinpoints viewpoints and particular places of historical or wildlife interest. You can also download maps and walk or bike cards from their website to help plan walk.

Mendip Hills AONB Service, Charterhouse Centre, Blagdon, Bristol BS40 7XR. Tel: 01761 462338 Company email mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk

Chew Valley Lake Birdwatching Fly Fishing Somerset UK

Chew Valley Lake, also to the west of Bath, is a popular, easily accessible visitor attraction. It is the fifth largest reservoir in the UK and was created to provide Bristol with drinking water in the 1950s. It is fringed with common reed and is a popular bird watching haunt. In fact it receives national and international protection due to it being an important staging post for migrating waders, terns and warblers. You're likely to see a good range of wintering wildfowl too such as shoveler, gadwall, teal, tufted duck, goldeneye, wigeon, snipe, lapwing and redshank.

The Glebe Trail here is an easygoing walk that is accessible for prams and wheelchairs. You can download a leaflet from the Bath and North East Somerset Council's website, link right. There is also a Visitor Centre at Chew Valley Lake.

Chew Valley Lake is also a world renowned trout fishery where fly fishing is popular. Tickets are available for either boat or bank fishing. Check the Bristol Water weblink right for more information and a downloadable copy of their fishing in Somerset brochure that includes further details of Chew Valley Lake. The fishing season runs from 15 March to 30 November. Permits are available from Woodford Lodge. Contact Tel: 01275 332339. Fax: 01275 331377. Email: woodford.lodge@bristolwater.co.uk.

There are other fishing lakes around this area and the Bristol Water website has more information on these and other activities such as sailing.

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