Beautiful Historic English Village
April 22, 2014 by David Herd
Bradford on Avon
Beautiful Historic English Village
Beautiful Historic English Village Bradford on Avon is a town in west Wiltshire, England with a population of about 9,326. The town’s canal, historic buildings, shops, pubs and restaurants make it popular with tourists. The history of the town can be traced back to Roman origins.
The town lies partly on the Avon Valley, and partly on the hill that marks the Vale’s western edge, eight miles southeast of Bath, in the hilly countryside between the Mendip Hills, Salisbury Plain and the Cotswold Hills.
Tithe Barn in Bradford on Avon
One of the best surviving examples of a monastic tithe barn in England, located in a peaceful setting beside the river Avon on the outskirts of Bradford-on-Avon. A lovely walk leads along the river between the town and the barn.
Tithe Barn
The barn was built in the 14th century by Shaftesbury Abbey, and it formed part of a complex of farm buildings run by the abbey, so if you want to be pedantic you could say that it is not actually a tithe barn at all, but part of a monastic grange. Most of these grange buildings were arranged around a rectangular courtyard, with the barn on one side of the yard. Most of the other buildings are gone now, but the barn still stands as it has done since the very early 14th century.
Tithe Barn
The most impressive feature of the barn is the cruck roof, crafted of thick timbers bent to support the heavy slate tiles. How heavy? It is estimated that the roof weighs 100 tons, so the cruck frame had to be incredibly strong to survive for so many centuries.
Houseboat
The Kennet and Avon Canal is a waterway in southern England with an overall length of 87 miles (140 km), made up of two lengths of navigable river linked by a canal. The name is commonly used to refer to the entire length of the navigation rather than solely to the central canal section. From Bristol to Bath the waterway follows the natural course of the River Avon before the canal links it to the River Kennet at Newbury, and from there to Reading on the River Thames. In all, the waterway incorporates 105 locks.
The Bridge Tea Rooms
The building dates back to 1502 and it has retained its character. low ceilings and exposed beams, you can hear every floorboard creak from the first floor.
Waitress in traditional dress
For local news bookmark this link for the Wiltshire times.
Scones, strawberry jam & cream
Here is my lovely niece Laura enjoying a traditional English afternoon tea.
The Swan Hotel
The Swan is a hotel in Bradford on Avon with the character and charm of an old country inn.
Beautiful Historic English Village
Beautiful trees on the river banks, thanks for visiting my Beautiful Historic English Village photo blog.
Holiday Inn
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.
Counter only started June 16 2020.
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