"We do not remember a more charming place in all our journeying" Arthur Mee writing about Tellisford in the 1930sAt 10.00am a party of walkers, consisting of Paul B, Tony, Gill, Diane, Dave K and first-timers Becki, Ben, Paul R and Judith assembled at the Tithe Barn, Bradford on Avon before heading off to Beckington. Seasoned walker Roly the dog set the pace and able led the way across beautiful English countryside on a mild, but cloudy spring morning.
The first part of the walk took us along the wide towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal where we spotted a stately looking heron sitting on the water's edge. On reaching the pretty hamlet
of Avoncliff nestling in the bottom of the valley formed by the River Avon, we paused on the aquaduct path which carries the canal over the river to watch small brown trout swimming along. The Cross Guns public house, with views of the river, looked extremely inviting; however our organiser Paul B informed me that it was far too early in the day to consider stopping for refreshments! On reflection I feel that a short break at this point may have set us up for the steep winding path edged with wild garlic which took us up through some woodland, but that's only a personal opinion.
of Avoncliff nestling in the bottom of the valley formed by the River Avon, we paused on the aquaduct path which carries the canal over the river to watch small brown trout swimming along. The Cross Guns public house, with views of the river, looked extremely inviting; however our organiser Paul B informed me that it was far too early in the day to consider stopping for refreshments! On reflection I feel that a short break at this point may have set us up for the steep winding path edged with wild garlic which took us up through some woodland, but that's only a personal opinion.We skirted around the village of Westwood passing through a housing development, ap
tly named "The Pastures" before coming to the architectural highlight of the day: Iford Manor, mediaeval in origin, the Palladian facade being added in the 18th century. It was the home of architect and landscape gardener Harold A Peto from 1899 to 1933 and the Italianate style garden is open to the public during the summer months.
tly named "The Pastures" before coming to the architectural highlight of the day: Iford Manor, mediaeval in origin, the Palladian facade being added in the 18th century. It was the home of architect and landscape gardener Harold A Peto from 1899 to 1933 and the Italianate style garden is open to the public during the summer months.
Having crossed the River Frome we kept parallel to the river passing from Wiltshire to Somerset before reaching Farleigh Hungerford where we stopped briefly at the 14th century castle making use of their facilities for a "comfort break" (thanks English Heritage). Having walked along the A366 for short while we turned off onto a minor road passing the Grade 1 listed Queen Anne house, now Farleigh College a residential special school for pupils with Asperger's syndrome.
Our journeying continued towards Tellisford as we chatted amongst ourselves spotting various plants, trees and interesting fungi. On passing Manor Farmhouse Paul B was able to instruct us in the difference between a hornbeam and a beech hedge. At some point we passed back into Wiltshire and eventually came to Rode whose church with two unusual miniature spires is now a private dwelling (is there no end to the amount of useful information contained in Paul B's brain?). Rode is also the village where the 1860 murder of a 4 year old boy took place; written about by Kate Summerscale in the Richard and Judy recommended book "The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: or the Murder at Road Hill House". I think we may have passed the house, now known under a different name, but I can't be 100% sure.Roly continued to lead us on as we carefully crossed the busy A36 heading towards our destination of the Woolpack Inn at Beckington. The two Pauls, Tony, Dave and Roly returned to Bradford on Avon to collect the cars leaving the others to make the executive decision that the Woolpack Inn was not the place for us as they were busy and only serving restaurant type meals. Some helpful locals pointed us in the direction of the Foresters Arms in Goose Lane where we found a warm welcome, a decent pint and a landlady willing to make us some sandwiches; which came with chips and salad - delicious.
A grand walk, thank you everyone for your company, and thank you Paul B for inviting me to be today's guest blogger!
Bird of the day: Mallard
Tree of the day: lilac
Vegetation of the day : rhododendron (I think)
Well with all these fine pictures, I'm afraid this just raises the blogging bar. Talking about the bar, what's happening tomorrow night??
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