Once famous for woolen mills and latterly the rubber industry, Bradford on Avon lies just north of Green Farm. In 1991 the Cotswold area of outstanding natural beauty was enlarged to include Bradford as well as the Avon and Frome valleys. The ancient houses still line its streets and jumble together along its lanes and alleyways. They are built from the local stone Jurassicoolitic limestone. One of the best known sites is the Saxon church. St Aldhelm founded a "monasterium" (minster church) here somewhere around 700 AD. The little building still contains parts of the original church, although the church was rebuilt when King Ethelred gave the Manor of Bradford (some 5000 acres) to Shaftesbury Abbey in 1001. This was so the nuns might possibly bring the bones of his murdered brother, Edward the Martyr, to be kept safely at Bradford well away from the marauding Danes.
Shaftesbury Abbey continued to hold the Manor until the dissolution of the monasteries. The centre of their flourishing estate at Bradford was Barton Grange Farm on the south side of the town. This medieval farm buildings, including the magnificent fourteenth century tithe barn is 168 feet long and 30 feet wide. I would recommend you visit this group of buildings off Pound Lane at the entrance to the Country Park.
The centre point of Bradford on Avon is the remains the bridge. It has two Norman arches on the upriver side. The so called "blind house" is its most dominant and unusual feature. It has been described as a chapel but it was used as the town jail. I think it was a simple toll house to raise money for bridge repairs.
The Shambles lies at the foot of Coppice Hill. Its name suggests that it was originally full of Butcher shops and even now it remains as it always has been - the natural shopping centre. Try the Bridge Tea Rooms (01225 865537).
Iford Opera and Jazz Festival is held in June - August in Lower Westwood (01225 448844)
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