Bradford on Avon

Bradford on Avon is a delightful, small, typically English market town. It has several attractions, including an 8th century Saxon church, a magnificent 13th century tithe barn, one of the few remaining lock-ups on the town bridge, and a veritable warren of charming weavers' cottages built up the steep side of the banks of the Avon.

Saxon Church

The Saxon church was re-discovered in the 1870's, when repair work to the building revealed some original stone carvings of 2 angels over what is now known to be the chancel arch. It is believed to have been built in the 700's by St Aldhelm.

River & Canal

The clue is in the name - Bradford on Avon is indeed situated on the river Avon. It is also on the Kennet and Avon canal which flows through the Avon valley to Bath. It crosses the Avon at Avoncliff, over an aqueduct with right-angled bends at each end, causing amateur bargees endless problems when trying to negotiate!

Tithe barn

Located between the canal and the river, the tithe barn was used to store the tithes due to the church in medieval times. (Bradford on Avon was given to Shaftesbury Abbey in 1001). It is large, giving some indication of the wealth in the area at the time.

Weavers' cottages

The north bank of the Avon rises very steeply away from the river. It is covered with rows of cottages, many of which are only accessible on foot. There are staircases up the side of the hill, and narrow roads which make for an interesting climb, providing magnificent views over the town and beyond.

Bradford on Avon is also well-situated for many other Wiltshire and west country attractions. These include Bath (only 7 miles by road, with a regular train service), Castle Combe, Dyrham House, Lacock, Longleat with its grand house and the safari park, Avebury, the Wiltshire white horses, and Stonehenge. It is particularly well-suited as a base for visiting National Trust properties, as there are several within 20 miles.

A more comprehensive list of near-by places to visit is available on the next page, together with links to web-sites which may be of interest.