Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
Bradford on Avon is a lovely town, like a mini Bath in a way, with impressive town houses on the hillsides and little back streets where lawns roll gently down to the river. It’s unfortunate that the A363 goes right through the middle of the town as it means it can get rather congested and some of the buildings at the top of the main street are blackened, but by no means let it put you off; there are some quirky independent shops in the town centre and some charming streets, like the Shambles where there’s a brilliant bookshop with an old barn full of bargains in the garden out the back.
It’s well worth a wander down to the Kennet & Avon Canal where you can easily while away a few hours; stroll along the towpath, hire canoes or bikes from Towpath Trail Hire Centre, or sit back and enjoy a lazy trip along the waters on the Barbara McLellan narrow boat, and come back to the Lock Inn Café for refreshments. Go and see the 14th century Tithe Barn and find a quiet spot for a picnic, and have a peek inside the incredible Saxon church.
If you’re hungry there are plenty of very good places to eat – Timbrell’s Yard, The George and The Bunch of Grapes are all excellent, and if you like proper job Italian food book a table at Ravello.
All information correct at the time of writing