Tithe Barn –Bradford-on-Avon (Image from Wikipedia Commons)
The next Bristol Insight Sangha walk, led by Jill Bird, will be a walk starting and ending at picturesque Bradford-on-Avon.
We will visit the impressive tithe barn and then walk along the canal for a short way before slowly climbing a hill out of the town. Crossing fields we emerge into the hamlet of Westwood with its fine manor house. Passing along a lane and footpaths, we reach Iford Manor house and the river. We traverse the beautiful Avon river valley and Friary wood before emerging at Freshford Mill. Over a few fields to a pub stop at Freshford. After the break, we visit a confluence and follow the Avon back to Avoncliff. We return to Bradford by walking through a nature reserve. If there is a wait for the train, crossing the river in Bradford can take you to the Saxon chapel, which at one time was repurposed as a schoolroom.
The walk is around 6-7 miles and is fairly flat/easy going with only one gentle incline. It should take around 3 hours at our usual gentle pace. Bring a packed lunch, or there is the option of a pub lunch at ‘The Inn at Freshford’.
Meet at 10.10am outside the main entrance to Temple Meads Station (for the 10.22 train), or at 10.50am in Bradford-on-Avon station car park, outside the toilets in the middle of the car park. You will need to pay for parking.
At the end of the walk we’ll get the train back to Temple Meads (trains are every 30 min or so). It’s difficult to predict our arrival time back at Temple Meads, but sometime late afternoon.
Let me know if you plan to come on the walk and whether to expect you at Temple Meads or at Bradford Station.
My mobile number is 0779 6087351
HEALTH AND SAFETY – PLEASE READ
Every Bristol Insight activity is required to have a Health & Safety policy, partly for insurance purposes. Walkers are asked to abide by the following guidelines:
Please wear/bring clothing that is appropriate for the conditions and weather, for example: walking boots; waterproof (and ideally windproof) clothing; drinking water/tea; something to sit on for lunch/tea breaks; snacks; sun cream if the weather requires it; sunglasses.
Children and dogs are the responsibility of their parent(s)/guardian/owner and are not covered by BI insurance. Please be prepared to keep your dog on a lead if necessary (in certain nature reserves, or if livestock are in fields). The walk leader will carry a basic first aid kit.
The walk leader will give an advance assessment of the difficulty and conditions on the walk and will advise if any special precautions are needed. It is up to parents to assess whether the walk is within the capacity of any children. Walks are at a slow/gentle pace – we walk at the pace of the slowest person, and have frequent pauses in walking, so that no one feels pressurised to keep up.
With warm wishes,
Gordon