Archive for May, 2026
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
Date: 11th – 13th September 2026
Base Location: Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Price: £40
Overview: A weekend of walking and community in September, based in the Wiltshire town of Bradford-on-Avon, and visiting the historic town of Bath, and the fully National Trust owned village of Lacock.
The Saturday is a walk along the Kennet and Avon Canal, with its magnificent views across the top of the Avoncliff Aqueduct and the Dundas Aqueduct, and then over the hill to Bath.
The best way to arrive in Bath, as with anywhere, is to walk there; to see it appear on the horizon across the landscape as the nearby scenery unfolds, and this route will allow us that.
On the Sunday we’ll walk from the beautiful and famous village of Lacock, back for lunch at the Red Lion and a visit to Lacock Abbey.
Both Lacock and Lacock Abbey have been extensively for television and movie filming for such things as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey (see video below).
You’ll need to arrange your own accommodation for the Friday and Saturday nights.
Friday 11th September
It doesn’t really matter what time you arrive in Bradford-on-Avon on the Friday night, but if you’re arriving early enough you can rendezvous to dine and socialize with those from the group who have already arrived, should you wish to.
I’ll be around from 7:00 pm until at least 9:00 pm. We’ll probably gather at The Barge Inn, 17 Frome Road, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 2EA.
Bradford-on-Avon.
Saturday 12th September: Bath
Start Time: 10:30am
Meet Point: The Lock Inn Café, 48 Frome Rd, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1LE
Distance: 7 miles
Parking: As we’ll already be in Bradford-on-Avon we’ll already be parked!
The meeting point for the walk to Bath – and day out in Bath – is The Lock Inn Café on the canal. This is easily found as it’s on the intersection of the Kennet and Avon Canal with Frome Road, part of the main road that goes through the village of Bradford-on-Avon.
The Lock Inn Café.
We’ll return to Bradford-on-Avon from Bath by train, which is a 12 minute train ride, and you can do this any time you wish after we arrive in Bath. We’ll be dining in Bath as a group, so returning with us after dinner is suggested.
The first half of the walk is entirely flat, as it follows the towpath of the canal, traversing both Avoncliff Aqueduct…
…and Dundas Aqueduct…
…after that we cross over the hill and back down again, into Bath, with the city in our sights as we descend.
You’ll then have the rest of the day to explore Bath with us, or doing your own thing, as you wish.
Sunday 13th September: Lacock and Lacock Abbey
Start Time: 10:30am
Meet Point: National Trust Village Car Park, Hither Way, Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2RQ
Distance: 7 miles
Parking: Parking is available in the Hither Way car park. Please display a parking ticket from the machines: members need to show a membership card, while non-members need to pay £5 either by card or using the Just Park app.
The walk takes us first round the beautiful village, via the houses used for filming Horace Slughorn’s hideout and James and Lily Potter’s family home in the Harry Potter movies, and then across the meadows around the village, crossing the River Avon.
After the walk we’ll have lunch at The Red Lion, a historic Georgian pub in Lacock, see the dining room below.
The Red Lion was used as the exterior of the assembly room in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
The Red Lion, Lacock.
And then after lunch is an optional visit to Lacock Abbey.
Video
This video shows Lacock Village, Lacock Abbey and a number of famous film locations to be found in both, from Harry Potter to Downton Abbey.
“Base Camp Bradford-on-Avon”
For snacks, self-catering and packed lunch filling there’s a Co-op just the North side of the river over Town Bridge road, address 1 Bridge Yard, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1EJ
Refunds
Refunds cannot be given except on a first come basis if the full capacity of the event is reached AND someone from the Waitlist pays for the event.
Group Ethos
This is an inclusive, boundaries respecting group. Participants must act in accordance with this at all times. Failure to do so will result in instant removal from the event and group without refund.
What to do next?
Don’t book any accommodation before you’ve confirmed your place with me.
- Speak to me or message me to let me know you’d like to go.
- I’ll let you have bank details to make a payment.
- Then you can set about arranging accommodation.
You can call me on 07758 351 527.
I look forward to seeing you there,
James
