A Half-day Walking Tour of Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, Bradford-on-Avon, England
Often referred to as nothing more than 鈥淏ath-in-miniature鈥�, Bradford on Avon is a medieval town that鈥檚 a worthwhile day trip on its own merit.
Although it sits just eight miles away from its more illustrious neighbour, it actually belongs to a different county 鈥� Wiltshire rather than Somerset. You won鈥檛 find any Roman-era baths to explore here. Nor will you find the need to fight your way through gangs of tour parties.
Instead, much like its Wiltshire compatriot,聽Castle Combe, the town鈥檚 attractions include its historic stone bridge, textile-manufacturing heritage and beautiful old buildings. Which can all be explored in a leisurely morning or afternoon stroll following our walking guide.
Bradford鈥檚 name comes from its medieval setting surrounding a聽ford聽across the River Avon 鈥� hence 鈥淏road-Ford鈥�. And its full name distinguishes it from the larger city of Bradford, in Yorkshire.The town鈥檚 wealth was established during the 17th Century when water from the River Avon was used to power the manufacture of textiles. As a result, lines of weavers鈥� cottages sprung up on the surrounding hillsides. And then, during the Industrial Revolution of the late-18th Century, up to 30 mills were established alongside the river, powered by both water and steam.聽However, the late-19th Century heralded the emergence of the northern counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire as centres for textile manufacturing. And so Bradford on Avon鈥檚 mills closed, leaving behind buildings that have since been derelict or converted into restaurants, apartments, and even a pub (the聽Swan Hotel). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
Although it sits just eight miles away from its more illustrious neighbour, it actually belongs to a different county 鈥� Wiltshire rather than Somerset. You won鈥檛 find any Roman-era baths to explore here. Nor will you find the need to fight your way through gangs of tour parties.
Instead, much like its Wiltshire compatriot,聽Castle Combe, the town鈥檚 attractions include its historic stone bridge, textile-manufacturing heritage and beautiful old buildings. Which can all be explored in a leisurely morning or afternoon stroll following our walking guide.
Bradford鈥檚 name comes from its medieval setting surrounding a聽ford聽across the River Avon 鈥� hence 鈥淏road-Ford鈥�. And its full name distinguishes it from the larger city of Bradford, in Yorkshire.The town鈥檚 wealth was established during the 17th Century when water from the River Avon was used to power the manufacture of textiles. As a result, lines of weavers鈥� cottages sprung up on the surrounding hillsides. And then, during the Industrial Revolution of the late-18th Century, up to 30 mills were established alongside the river, powered by both water and steam.聽However, the late-19th Century heralded the emergence of the northern counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire as centres for textile manufacturing. And so Bradford on Avon鈥檚 mills closed, leaving behind buildings that have since been derelict or converted into restaurants, apartments, and even a pub (the聽Swan Hotel). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
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Guide Name: A Half-day Walking Tour of Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
Guide Location: England » Bradford-on-Avon
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Ian Mackenzie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
Guide Location: England » Bradford-on-Avon
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Article (B))
Author: Ian Mackenzie
Read it on Author's Website:
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
- The Bridge Tea Rooms
- Town Bridge
- The Shambles
- Abbey Mill
- Chapel of St Mary Tory
- Saxon Church of St Laurence
- River Avon
- Barton Farm
- Lock Inn Caf茅
- The Barge Inn
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