This circular walk goes through the older part of Box, up a steep hill on the Macmillan Way towards the hamlet of Henley. Once on the top, looking back, there are magnificent views over the By Brook valley to Colerne. The walk then passes to the West of Blue Vein.

Originally a farm, Blue Vein lies on what was once the principal road between Bath and London. In the 18th century, the road was converted into a toll road, and a turnpike was placed at Blue Vein.

In the 18th century the Blue Vein turnpike marked the end of the Lacock Turnpike Trust’s Road from Lacock, before travelers had to cross the open ground of Kingsdown towards the Bath Trust’s Road into Bathford. This place was renowned for robberies by highwaymen such as John Poulter. In 1737 the Horse and Jockey Inn was built 300 yards down the road to the southeast, where wealthy travelers could stay, and be met and escorted safely to Bath.

Crossing the Kingsdown Road, the walk is then mostly flat as we walk towards South Wraxall across farmland, with wonderful, panoramic views southwards towards Westbury.

Our route swings West just before the entrance to South Wraxall Manor, reputed to be where tobacco was first smoked in England by its former owner, Sir Walter Long and his friend Sir Walter Raleigh. The manor is currently owned by John Taylor, the bass player of Duran Duran.

Our path then approaches Monkton Farleigh Manor House along the mile long avenue lined with beautiful elm trees. The Manor House was built on the site of a Cluniac Priory founded in 1125. Part of the house dates from the 16th century and carved 12th century fragments from the priory have been built into the walls. During the 18th century remodeling was carried out by the architect John Wood of Bath. In 1873 the estate was purchased by Sir Charles Hobhouse and remains in the ownership of his descendants.

Walking west we enter Bathford Hill and the Avon Wildlife Trust Reserve and onto Browne’s Folly. Standing high above the river Avon with commanding views towards Bath, Browne’s Folly boasts flower-rich grasslands and ancient woodland on the remains of old Bath stone quarries, which has been designated as a SSSI.

The folly itself was commissioned in 1849 by Wade-Browne, a local quarry owner, supposedly to promote the quality of his building stone. At the time, the quarrying business was going through a downturn in its fortunes, and Wade-Browne saw the folly as a means of employing idle workers, as well as being an advert for his stone.

We go down into Bathford and then follow bridleways and footpaths on the southside of the By Brook valley heading east towards Kingsdown and back into Box.