Bradford on Avon
Bradford on Avon
This lovely Wiltshire village is instantly recognised by its unique bridge spanning the river Avon. On the bridge there is a small chapel that was also once used as a lock-up this is open to the public.
The word Avon means River and there are other River Avon’s in the UK, the word Bradford derives from the name broad ford which means that there was a Ford here before the bridge.
The chapel on the bridge was used by pilgrims on the way to Malmesbury and Glastonbury.
There is a nice weathervane on top of the chapel, the Wiltshire antiquary John Aubrey remarked, a strong and handsome bridge in the middest of which is a little chapel for mass as at Bath.
The town of Bradford on Avon grew rich on the wool trade and the many fine buildings reflect this, being built in locally quarried Cotswold stone. In the centre of the town there is a nice park or festival garden that was redesigned in 2000 along with a new statue affectionately known as Millie.
In its heyday, Bradford-on-Avon had 32 Mills, testament to the importance the River played in the development of the wool industry in Bradford on Avon. Later on this industry moved North and the town declined slightly.
The fine houses of Tory and the Abbey Mill also built in the lovely mellow Cotswold stone again demonstrate the past opulence of the town; the mill has now been converted into fine apartments.
The town has been important from the earliest times, as can be seen by the nave of the Anglo Saxon church of St Lawrence. The historic narrow streets known as the shambles and markets are well worth a visit the town has some nice little areas and plenty of shops to explore and it is well worth taking a camera when you pay the place a visit.
Activities in Bradford on Avon
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