Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

70 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

7 Lacock 8 Bradford-on-Avon
Wiltshire; SN15 2LG Wiltshire; BA15 1LF
Meticulously preserved by its owners, Rising up from the river, this engaging
the National Trust, this village has half- town deserves a visit. The wealth
timbered houses and a predominantly earned from the cloth trade is evident
sleepy flavour. Its unspoiled air has in the historic buildings, such as the
led to many appearances in TV and Anglo-Saxon Church of St Laurence,
film productions, including The Other possibly founded in AD 705, and the
Boleyn Girl and the Harry Potter films. early 14th-century Tithe Barn, used
At one end of the main street is the to store food owed to the church.
cloistered Lacock Abbey (open daily), See the Norman bridge – with two
founded in 1232 and gracefully original pointed arches but rebuilt in
converted into a home after the 16th- the 17th century, and enjoy a stroll
century Dissolution of the Monasteries. along the River Avon and the Kennet
Above Half-timbered houses lend charm to the It includes a museum (open daily) and Avon Canal or go for a trip on the
picturesque village of Lacock featuring the work of photography narrowboat MV Barbara McLellan
pioneer William Fox Talbot (1800–77). (Apr–Oct: Wed, Sat & Sun; Wharf Cottage,
VISITING BATH ª From Lacock turn left onto A350 BA15 1LE; 07503 445 393; www.katrust.org).
Parking to Melksham. Take B3107 to Bradford- ª Exit west on B3108, turn right on A36
There are car parks off Charlotte Street on-Avon. Cross the bridge, bear and left to Claverton Down. Turn left,
and Avon Street. Or use the “Park and right, and park by the tithe barn then right down Widcombe Hill into
Ride” and leave your car on the outskirts on the right. town. Cross the river and go left to park.
and catch a bus into the centre.
Tourist information
Bridgwater House, 2 Terrace Walk, 9 Bath
BA1 1LN; 01225 614 420; www. Somerset; BA1 1SU
visitbath.co.uk
With its golden-hued terraces around a vast natural amphitheatre, Bath
Thermae Bath Spa
Hot Bath Street, BA1 1SJ; 01225 331 is one of England’s most congenial cities. At its heart, the Roman Baths
234; www.thermaebathspa.com; and the Abbey are the most compelling of the many attractions to be
9am–9:30pm (last entry 7pm) daily appreciated on a stroll. Its maze of lanes lined with smart boutiques will
tempt shoppers; gastronomes will savour the range of great restaurants,
WHERE TO STAY and culture addicts will enjoy the year-round programme of festivals.
BRADFORD-ON-AVON
The Swan Hotel moderate A two-hour walking tour piazza is grandly overlooked by the
Stylishly refurbished rooms offset the From Avon Street Car Park, walk along tall façade of Bath Abbey 1 (open
traditional exterior of this cosy hotel, Broad Quay and Dorchester Street, Mon–Sat & Sun pm), mainly 16th-century
which has broadband and flatscreen past the railway station and up with a magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling.
TVs. There’s a good restaurant, too.
1 Church Street, BA15 1LN; 01225 868 Manvers Street to reach Orange To one side are the Roman Baths 2
686; www.theswanbradford.co.uk Grove. Turn left here down York Street (open daily), built on natural hot
for Abbey Churchyard. The small springs between the first and fifth
BATH
Apsley House Hotel moderate Below Pulteney Bridge, designed by Robert Adam, spanning the River Avon
Just over 2 km (1 mile) west of the city
centre, this stately home offers rooms
with four-poster beds. There is also a
garden suite and a good restaurant.
Newbridge Hill, BA1 3PT; 01225 336
966; www.apsley-house.co.uk
Leighton Townhouse
moderate–expensive
Three of the ten rooms in this
luxurious B&B near the city centre have
four-poster beds. Book in advance.
139 Wells Road, BA2 3AL; 01225 314
769; www.139bath.co.uk
Royal Crescent Hotel expensive
Stay in the best address in Bath – the
Royal Crescent. Rates are high, but a
luxurious stay is assured, and the facilities
and restaurant are rightly acclaimed.
16 Royal Crescent, BA1 2LS; 01225 823
333; www.royalcrescent.co.uk
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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