A Half-day Walking Tour of Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, Bradford-on-Avon, England (B)

Often referred to as nothing more than “Bath-in-miniature”, Bradford on Avon is a medieval town that’s 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 – Wiltshire rather than Somerset. You won’t 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, Castle Combe, the town’s 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’s name comes from its medieval setting surrounding a ford across the River Avon – hence “Broad-Ford”. And its full name distinguishes it from the larger city of Bradford, in Yorkshire.The town’s 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’ 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. 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’s mills closed, leaving behind buildings that have since been derelict or converted into restaurants, apartments, and even a pub (the Swan Hotel). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).