Page 107 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

HA MPSHIRE AND SALISBUR Y PLAIN  105

i Corsham It was first converted into a
school. Later it was used as a
Wiltshire. Map F3. * 13,000.
3 Chippenham, then taxi. @ workshop and then a cottage
n 31 High St; 01249 714660. ( Tue. after larger medieval churches
∑ corshamheritage.org.uk were built nearby. It was only
rediscovered as a church in the
Corsham’s streets are lined 1850s, when a vicar recognized its
with stately Georgian houses characteristic carvings and roof.
in Cotswold stone, reflecting The Town Bridge was first
its historic wealth as a wool- built in the Middle Ages but
weaving centre. widened in the 17th century.
Near the town centre is the At one end is a curious dome-
entrance to Corsham Court, a shaped stone cell. Originally a
gracious Elizabethan mansion chapel, it was used as a lockup
that like Lacock has often been for vagrants and troublemakers
used as a film location. Built in A colourful peacock strutting past Corsham in the 18th century.
the 1580s, it has been the home Court’s elegant main façade A short walk away is the
of the Methuen family since 14th-century Tithe Barn. This
1745. The superb picture gallery o Bradford-on-Avon was once used for collecting
contains a remarkable collection Wiltshire. Map F3. * 9,500. 3 @ church taxes (“tithes”) – in the
of mostly Italian, Flemish and n Westbury Gardens; St Margaret St; form of crops or livestock –
English paintings, including 01225 865797. ( 3rd Thu & last Sun from local peasants.
works by famous artists such of month. ∑ bradfordonavon.co.uk Nearby, running alongside a
as Van Dyck, Salvator Rosa series of converted mills, is the
and Joshua Reynolds. Bradford’s quiet, narrow lanes Kennet and Avon Canal, which
The extensive grounds, make it an ideal place for a was once used for transporting
designed by “Capability” Brown leisurely stroll. This lovely town cloth and textile materials to
(see p25), are home to a muster is full of beautiful honey-coloured and from the town. Today,
of peacocks, which roam freely Cotswold-stone houses, which companies offer popular boat
and add colour to the mansion’s were built by wealthy wool and excursions along the waterways.
impressive stone façade. cloth merchants in the 17th and
18th centuries. One particularly R St Laurence Church
P Corsham Court fine Georgian example is the 10 Church St. Open Apr–Sep: 10am–
Corsham. Tel 01249 712214. Open 1770s Abbey House, located 6pm daily; Oct–Mar: 10am–4pm daily.
Apr–Sep: 2–5:30pm Tue–Thu, Sat & on Church Street.
Sun; Oct–Nov & Jan–Mar: 2–4:30pm St Laurence Church is a P Tithe Barn
Sat & Sun (last adm: 30 mins before remarkably complete Saxon Pound Lane. Open 10:30am–4pm
closing). Closed Dec. & 8 7 = church, which was probably daily. Closed 1 Jan & 24–26 Dec.
∑ corsham-court.co.uk built around the year 1000. 7 œ ∑ english-heritage.org.uk

Bradford-on-Avon’s iconic medieval Town Bridge and lockup, set over the River Avon

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