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Road directions
Head West out of Bath on either the A36 or the A4. The location is close to where the two roads merge, just west of where the road passes over the railway on a concrete skew bridge. If you go too far, just turn back at the Globe roundabout at the Bristol end of the dual carriageway.
Parking
Use the lay-by on the west bound A4 dual carriageway. Remove valuables from the car, and then follow the field down to the underpass which will bring you out in the meadow. Parking is also available at the Newbridge Park & Ride, just follow the signposts. There is a bit of waste ground just opposite the P&R entrance which can be used for parking. Look for the advertising lorry with a lady in a bath on the back! At the Saltford end of the dual carriageway on the way to Saltford you can park in the Saltford Rugby Club. This parking place has been used numerous occasions with no objections, but if you are asked to move please do so.
Public transport
The Bristol to Bath bus, service number 338, passes the location and the nearest bus stop is Newbridge Park & Ride. Alternatively, the location is about 2 miles from Oldfield Park railway station. You can also use the Bristol Bath Cycle Path.
Amenities
There is a McDonalds along the Lower Bristol Road in Twerton, and decent pubs, which serve food, at both Newbridge and Newton St Loe. Best of all, however, is the reasonably-priced 'Panahar' Indian restaurant on Moorlands Road, Oldfield Park. There is a nice large family pub on the riverside called the boathouse at the Newbridge Park & Ride. At the other end of the dual carriageway is the Globe at Newton-St-Loe, another large family pub.
Accommodation
There are obviously loads of places to stay in Bath but they tend to be on the pricey side, and parking is often a form of gambling. Cheaper B&Bs can be found in Oldfield Park, a respectable suburb with its own station about 2 miles from the location.
The shot, for up trains, is perfectly-lit around mid-morning but is quite acceptable between breakfast and teatime, and beyond if you like an arty 'glint'. A wide-ish lens allows inclusion of Kelston Hall in the background. There is also a shot for down trains from the nearby A4 road bridge. Newton Meadows is good for video as well as still shots. The drawback for steam is the possibility of a signal check for Oldfield Park station. And a badly-timed down train can muck things up quite nicely. The location can be quite stunning when the fields are full of flowering oilseed rape although hayfever sufferers may disagree.