Malmesbury, Wiltshire and the Avon
- Malmesbury
- An ancient borough, dating from Saxon times, Malmesbury is set on a rocky
hill between the rivers Avon and Inglebourne. So it is not surprising that
6 bridges lead from the market square. The towns past is all around, with
a Norman abbey, the large Market Cross is Tudor, most of the houses are weavers
houses from the 17th and 18th century
- Bradford-on-Avon
- Even by English standards, this is an historic town. The bridge across the
Avon has the original medieval arches, complete with a building on the bridge,
which was built as a stopping place for pilgrims to pray as they journeyed
from Malmesbury to Glastonbury. There is a 14th century tithe barn. The parish
church is Saxon, built before 709 AD. Church House is a 16th century weavers
house. The Hall is a fine Elizabethan building from the early 17th century.
And all around are lovely views of the River Avon flowing by.
- Calne
- An old market town that grew prosperous from weaving. The church is from
1160, with 15th century additions from wealthy wool merchants. Opposite the
church re the old almshouses in Kingsbury Street. Bowood House, the seat of
the Marquis of Lansdowne is just outside Calne
- Castle Combe
- Another weaving town, but it is the pretty Cotswold stone cottages clustered
round the canopied Market Cross, and the stream flowing over a three arched
bridge, and a gaggle of gabled houses, plus a beautiful church, that have
combined to make this one of the most photographed villages in England
- Chippenham
- An ancient market town on the Avon. The oldest building is the 15th century
town hall with its twin gables and wooden turret. The parish church contains
memorials going back to the 13th century. There was a spa here in the 18th
century.
- Lacock
- The National Trust owns much of the village, which tells you a lot about
the place. There are half timbered cottages and half timbered buildings, and
all were built in the 18th century or earlier. Lacock Abbey, once the home
of the photographic pioneer Fox Talbot, is also now owned by the National
Trust
Malmesbury, Wiltshire and the Avon
