For some of us, we found so much to do when we visited Bradford on Avon that we ended up living here! Allow as much time as you can for the many pleasures this town has to offer.
One of England's loveliest towns
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Bradford on Avon is a hidden gem that has been described as the 'South of France' plonked in the South West of England! Only, it's not. It's Bradford on Avon - full of magic, surprises, wonderful characters and rich opportunities for enjoyment in and around it. It is one of the Cotswold's friendliest, most beautiful, bustling and unique, historic towns. You can explore the many-stepped alleyways, hidden corners, ancient buildings (Saxon church, ancient tithe barn, lock-up/chapel on the bridge, hermitage) and you can take a break in one of the profusion of cafes. While in town you could find yourself admiring the fantastic views across to Salisbury Plain from the heights of the Tory, buying wrought iron coat hooks or ice-cream from a colourful barge along the canal, or wandering in and out of the art and craft stalls by the Tithe barn. While in the centre of town it is not unusual to see the flashes of
torquoise of kingfishers or herons fishing in the shallows of the town
river. Swans are a regular feature. You can even rent a canoe and pop down
the canal to The Cross Guns pub for lunch and back! It would be possible to have a wonderful stay of some weeks without
leaving the town, but if you want a change, there is a huge range of
other things to do and see in the area. |
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Tourist Office The extremely helpful volunteers at the tourist office are the real experts on how to help you enjoy yourself in Bradford on Avon. They will be only too happy to tell you where to go and let you know the latest on the ever changing calendar of activities in Bradford and the surrounding area. The information below is to whet the appetite a little. |
Ten excellent reasons to come to Bradford on Avon
| 1 | It is truly unique with its multiple attractions and stunning beauty, and what memories visitors store up of it will also be very personal. |
| 2 | It is steeped in history, starting with an iron age fort, evidence of Romans, centuries of the wool trade etched in many of its buildings and several ancient monuments of historical importance. |
| 3 | It has beautiful and distinctive architecture, especially from the Georgian period, with many examples of wealthy merchant houses. |
| 4 | It has an extraordinarily beautiful valley setting with both a canal and river passing through, and has vibrantly colourful barges along the footpath. |
| 5 | There is excellent shopping opportunities that can produce very individual finds among the art, craft, antique and food shops. |
| 6 | There are very good quality eating out venues, with many cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from in town, and many more in the surrounding villages and towns (including England's oldest pub). |
| 7 | There are ample walking and cycling choices. You might wander through the verdant Barton End Park by the river, take a towpath, go the Cotswold Way, or do the Bath Skyline Walk etc. |
| 8 | You can give you car a holiday and take a vacation from driving as you can take the train. There's a sweet little station right in the town centre, which connects up to several cities, many towns and villages and even the Dorset coastline. |
| 9 | The sports enthusiast is well provided for, with the town possessing tennis courts, a gym, swimming pool and good jogging paths. There is also a golf club on the outskirts of town and horse trekking facilities within easy reach. |
| 10 | Bradford on Avon is the photographer's dream, with its special light, beautiful stone, the buildings and amazing panoramic views. It is highly photogenic and with two important and easily accessible photography museum and society in the area. |
Ten more reasons why Bradford on Avon is lovely!
| 1 | World heritage Site, Bath Spa, is between 15-20 minutes away by car or train, and Cheltenham, Gloucester, Wells, and Bristol take less or just over an hour to reach. |
| 2 | There are many historic houses to visit within easy reach, including Bowood, Corsham Court, Dyrham Park, Lacock Abbey, and even some with ghosts: Westwood Manor, Longleat and Littlecoat. |
| 3 | Bradford on Avon is a gardener's paradise, opening up its garden throughout the summer, and being so near to some of the country's finest gardens (all the afore-mentioned houses, plus Iford, Stourhead, Prior Park, Abbey House Gardens, Stourton, Westonbirt Arboretum etc). |
| 4 | There are many top class cultural activities in the area, with the Bath Theatre Royal, the Wiltshire Music Centre, art museums, the American Museum, outdoor opera and theatre in beautiful gardens etc. |
| 5 | There are some spectacular cathedrals to visit, including Bath, Wells, Gloucester , Salisbury and Bristol. |
| 6 | Film lovers can visit the many film locations for TV dramas and big screen movies, including Pride and Prejudice, Lark Rise to Candleford, Wolfman, Harry Potter, Creation, Dr Doolittle, The Duchess, Many Returns of the Day, Vanity Fair, Persuasion etc. |
| 7 | There are many local tourist attactions in the surrounding area, such as Longleat, Stonehenge, Kennet and Avon Canal, The White Horses and Avebury Circle and crop circles (Telegraph report) etc. |
| 8 | There are several historical towns to visit, such as Frome (very art and crafts), Corsham, Devizes (with it's locks, dray horses and markets) Tetbury (see the woolsack races, and antiues shops) and Cirencester (Roman city and museum and wonderful art gallery) and Malmsbury. |
| 9 | You can easily get to many pretty villages, including Lacock, Castle Combe (voted England's prettiest), Freshford etc. |
| 10 | There are just such wonderful picnicking sites within the town, along the river and at the many sites described above, with the most fantastic deli and wholefood outlets to stock up on picnic food and drink (see shopping page on this website). |
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....not to mention the markets, of which there are some very good ones locally, Christmas in Bradford on Avon, which is very special, and for a bit of fun, ghosts, which it appears Wiltshire has its fair share! More on these and the above themes in the drop down menu on this page and also under 'useful stuff'. In short, Bradford on Avon is a holiday destination that cannot fail
to delight at any time of the year. There is so much to do you
might need to return season after season and year after year. In fact,
you will probably want to live here! Planning a visit The following links might add yet further enjoyment for your visit to Bradford on Avon: |
| gardens |
| markets |
| events |
| Christmas in Bradford on Avon |
| ghost hunting! |
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Further intended links: For in-depth and sometimes, insider information and recommendations of places to eat, shopping, beauty and health and courses, etc click here. WISHING YOU A GORGEOUS TIME IN BRADFORD ON AVON! |
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