Places of Interest

Crofton Pumping Station
On the Kennet and Avon Canal houses two historic Cornish beam engines installed in the 19th Century to pump water, some 12 metres up to the summit level of the canal, form the supply at Wilton water. The engine houses with its engines are in full working order and the adjacent lock flight were common when canals were at their peak as a transport system.

Wilton Windmill
This is the only operating windmill in Wiltshire, and was built in 1821 after the Kennet and Avon Canal company had taken the water out of the River Dun for their canal. This deprived the water millers of the power to drive their mills. The Wilton Windmill Society was formed in 1976 to look after and operate the mill and show it to the public.

The Kennet and Avon Canal
Opened in 1810 was used to transport many products along its route by working barges. The canal winds its way from Reading to Bristol. It provides towpaths to walk and cycle along with changing landscapes, canal features, pretty villages and hamlets. There are also Boats to hire, pubs and tea-rooms.

St Martin’s Chapel
This forlorn and poignant little ruined 13th century chapel built of flint and thatch is situated in a farmyard on the ramparts of Chisbury Iron Age Hill Fort. It is now cared for by English Heritage. The Chapel may be visited by walking up a track of the Chisbury / Little Bedwyn road marked by English Heritage signs.

Bedwyn / Wilton Brail
Savernake was a great hunting forest. Several places around Great Bedwyn bear the name “Brail”; a forest term for enclosed park or wood stocked with deer. Bedwyn Brail contains the site of a former Roman Villa. When Edward Seymour (Warden of Savernake) was executed in 1552, he was building a great mansion in Bedwyn Brail of which a few signs remain. At his death the work was abandoned.

Wild Flower Farm (north off the A338)
With a wildflower collection, interpretation centre, picnic areas, nature trails and adventure playground.

Further Away

Avebury
The largest stone circle in Europe, Avebury formed the centre of one of the most impressive Neolithic ceremonial landscapes in Britain. Nearby is Silbury Hill an enormous earthen mound assumed to be a burial mound but the purpose is unknown as no burial has yet be found and the West Kennet Long Barrow, one of the largest Neolithic burial tombs in Britain. Also the Sanctuary, once linked to Avebury by the stone Avenue, it was a huge circular building.