Bradford on Avon Rise to Prosperity

From agricultural beginnings, the face of Bradford on Avon was largely shaped by its growth into a prosperous centre for cloth and wool from the 16th Century. Elegant Bath stone terraces and ancient weavers’ cottages rise dramatically above former woollen mills by the river. As the wool trade dwindled in the 19th Century the rubber industry, driven by demand from war and transport, took over the redundant mills providing ongoing employment in town.

Starting from Canal Wharf, this 1.7 mile circular walking Trail provides an insight into the town’s industrial past. From the superb 14th Century Tithe Barn you’ll cross the river and follow the ancient packhorse way to stone weavers’ cottages and wealthy clothiers’ mansions. See former cloth mills and rubber factories as you circle back to the Kennet and Avon Canal which revolutionised the transport of local stone.

Allow around 1.5 hours for this Trail which starts by the British Waterways Car Park (£1 for 4 hours) at Bradford on Avon Wharf and finishes close by. Shops, tea rooms, pubs and restaurants are plentiful and toilets are signposted. With some steep ascents and descents this Trail is not ideal for those with bad knees and is regrettably unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. On this Trail please take particular care around unprotected waters (canal and river); whilst crossing the railway; on roads without pavements; and on various steps.