Riverside Walk… 2 miles

Lacock Village, Wiltshire www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks

Explore the medieval market village of Lacock, with its superb architecture and Lacock remains much as it houses dating back over 800 years. The route opens up to beautiful views of the looked in the 18th century. surrounding countryside and the River Avon, as it follows the river bank through The lively town of two the valley of Snaylesmeade on which stands the historic Abbey of Lacock. hundred years ago, with its

shops, businesses and Start: Hither Way car park Grid ref: ST918682 Map: OS Landranger 173 crowded market, can still be imagined. It has often been How to get here and local facilities used as a filming location for Bike: National Cycle Network route 4 is 1 mile away. See www.sustrans.org.uk period dramas including Pride Bus: Faresaver X34/First 234, Chippenham to Frome, passing Melksham station, and and Prejudice and Cranford, close to Chippenham and Trowbridge stations as well as some of the Harry Rail: Melksham station 3 miles, Chippenham station 3½ miles Potter films. Road: 3 miles south of Chippenham. M4, exit junction 17, signposted to Chippenham (A350). Follow A350 (signposted Poole/Warminster) until you reach The River Avon which runs Lacock, following signs for main car park through the valley has been

There are a number of places to grab a spot of lunch or afternoon tea in Lacock important throughout the village. A picnic area is located opposite the entrance to the Fox Talbot Museum. centuries for both Toilets are located behind the Red Lion pub on the village High Street. communication and fishing. It still remains popular with fishermen today (one day Look out for… coarse fishing permits are t Lacock Abbey: Founded in the early 13th century by Ela, Countess of Salisbury for available from the Post Office in a community of Augustinian nuns, it was converted into a country house in 1540. the High Street). In winter it can The atmospheric monastic rooms include medieval cloisters, a sacristy and chapter rise and fall as much as 3 house. They have featured in two Harry Potter films and The Other Boleyn Girl. metres in a day. t Lacock Village: This unspoilt village stands at the gates of Lacock Abbey. There was a settlement here before Saxon times but it became important as a community The price paid by Sir William for estate workers of the abbey. With its grid of four streets, its architecture is Sharington for Lacock Abbey on th unique with houses of every century from the 13 century onwards. Look out for its dissolution in 1539 was £783. th th the 14 century tithe barn, a medieval church and an inn dating to the 15 century, Sharington’s Tower, which is part reflecting its importance as a staging post between Marlborough and Bristol. Parts of the Abbey, was built at this of King John’s Hunting Lodge beside the church would certainly have belonged to time and was used as a strong one of the more important people in the village, and it is quite possible that the king room and display space for his stayed here on his hunting trips in the forest. treasure. t The Fox Talbot Museum: Lacock is widely known as the home of photography All images ©National Trust/Graham Heard and the abbey was the home of its inventor, William Henry Fox Talbot, who conducted many of his earliest experiments there in the early 19th century. Directions

1. From the car park, cross the road and follow the brown tourist signs into the village, where you’ll emerge in front of the Fox Talbot Museum and entrance to Lacock Abbey. 2. From here, walk toward the High Street and pass the Red Lion pub on the left, where you will see a half timbered house on your right. Walk down East Street to your right, passing the Tithe Barn on your right hand side and then the Village Hall. 3. At the end of East Street, with the bakery in front of you, turn right towards the church. Turn left just before the church at the half timbered house, towards the brook and the packhorse bridge. Walk over the bridge, keeping the weir to your right. Walk up the hill, past allotments on your left. 4. At the top, pass through a kissing gate and onto a narrow tarmac path which leads down to the hamlet of Reybridge. As you approach another kissing gate at the end of the path, you’ll see glimpses of the River Avon to your right. 5. Pass through the gate and walk down the path, past Wicket Gate Cottage. Continue along the path then turn right and then right again over the bridge. At the end of the bridge turn immediately right over the stile and into a field. 6. Keep the river on your right and walk along the river bank. Through the clearing in the trees, look back towards the village for views of St Cyriacs church. 7. Exit the field through a metal kissing gate and wooden bridge. With the river still on

your right, continue along its bank. After the next bend in the river, the path veers off © Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey. All rights to the left. Pass over a stile and along a way marked path through the middle of the reserved. OS licence no. AL 100023974 field. Here you can see your first glimpse of Lacock Abbey on your right. 8. Leave the field by the metal gate and walk along the field edge to a stile and Distance, terrain and accessibility

footbridge. Cross over the footbridge, where you will see your first view of 2 miles (3.2km) circular walk, taking approximately 45 minutes. Sharington’s Tower at the Abbey. With the tower on your right, cast your eye along Generally flat terrain, walking along the banks of the River Avon the river which is marked out by a line of trees in the middle distance. Scanning to the for most of the way; can be muddy in parts over winter. Please be left you’ll see Stone Bridge, walk towards this over the well worn path, which goes aware of livestock and horses grazing in some of the fields. diagonally right across a field. Please keep dogs under control. At this point you could take a small diversion and head straight towards the river where you’ll get better views of the Abbey on the opposite side. Contact us

9. Continue on to the stone stile by the bridge, cross over it and turn right towards the Telephone: 01249 730459 village. Walk over the bridge, onto the footpath and back to the car park. Take care Email: [email protected] as this is a busy road. Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock

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