Ford Village

 

NORTH WRAXALL to FORD

Waypoint

Map Reference

Bearing 
START ST 8227 7468

266
WP1 ST 8209 7468

151
wp2 ST 8220 7457

162
WP3 ST 8228 7435

185
WP4 ST 8228 7381

157
WP5 ST 8243 7355

128
WP6 ST 8250 7346

112
WP7 ST 8279 7344

006
WP8 ST 8279 7356

95
WP9 ST 8330 7355

72
WP10 ST 8379 7378

315
WP11 ST8368 7385

15
WP12 ST 8380 7450

15
WP13 ST 8385 7474

76
WP14 ST 8409 7481

271
WP15 ST 8222 7473

160
START ST 8270 7468

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General:- An easy 4.2 mile circular walk in varied countryside; it passes through traditional water meadows, small wooded areas, and open valleys with good views. Generally flat with an excellent pub at the halfway point. Ideal for a sunny afternoon.

The riverside section between waypoints 10 and 13 is ancient water meadow. Water meadow management was a brilliant irrigation idea developed in the early 1500's. Flat meadows flooded during winter and early spring produced lush grass for hay and grazing. Hay yields improved by 400%; sheep and wool got to market earlier when prices were better. A particular feature of the west country these meadows needed careful water level control to get the best results. Secondary benefits came from nutrients in the mud fertilising the soil.

The Old Coach Road just after waypoint 14 is the route taken by Victorian mail coaches travelling from London to Bristol. If you think it is steep to walk up just imagine how hard the horses would have to work going up and the coachman's skill required to descend on an icy track with no brakes. 

How to get there:- A420 Chippenham to Bristol Rd. Park @ ST 8227 7468 in "lay by" on south side of the road close to a turn off to North Wraxall.