3
BATH TO BRADFORD ON AVON îA loop up to the Cotswolds, a visit to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum and drive on the ancient Fosse Way… Route three starts in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath. Historic and beautiful with its honey-coloured stone, it’s located within a valley of seven hills. Our journey takes us north out of Bath on the A46. Before you know it, you’ve crossed the border from Somerset and into South Gloucestershire. Stay on the A46 and before crossing over the M4 look out for the village of Pennsylvania, which is said to have been named after the American state by Quakers. There are more intriguingly named villages as we head further up the A46, with its fast stretches of open road. There’s Petty France and the slightly smaller hamlet of Dunkirk - both are believed to have been Huguenot (Protestant) settlements after thousands fled (Catholic) France during the 17th century. Just past Dunkirk we take a right fork onto the A433 for the short drive to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum in South Gloucestershire. With 15,000 specimens and 2,500 species of tree from all over the world it’s the perfect place to escape, relax or have an adventure. Soon you’ll be back on the A433 where you need to cross over onto the Tetbury Road towards Sherston. Carry on south, turning off onto a section of the Fosse Way just after Ladyswood. Stretching from Exeter (Isca Dumnoriorum) north-east to Lincoln (Lindum), today’s Fosse Way follows the course of a major Roman Road. Now continue over the M4 through the pretty villages of Yatton Keynell and Biddestone before crossing over the A4 Bath Road and into Corsham. The historic market town is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area, including the picture postcard villages of Lacock and Castle Combe. Corsham, where some of the hit TV period drama Poldark was filmed, is also home to a number of historic buildings including Corsham Court. The art collection at Corsham Court contains important paintings by such masters as Fra Filippo Lippi, Van Dyck,
Carlo Dolci and Joshua Reynolds. The mirrors and tables in the Picture Gallery were specially designed by Robert Adam, while ‘Capability’ Brown was responsible for the layout of the park and gardens. The 20-minute final leg of the drive takes us on the A4 west, forking off down the B3109 to Bradford on Avon. Occupying a unique position on the edge of the Cotswolds facing the River Avon, Bradford on Avon’s ancient bridge in the centre remains the town’s natural focus and still retains two of its original 13th century arches. Stroll southwards and you can walk along the Kennet & Avon Canal or visit the spectacular Tithe Barn for free. It’s been described by English Heritage as “one of the largest medieval barns in England, and architecturally one of the finest”.
Did you know? You can fly to Bristol from over 60 destinations. Find out all you need to know, including the £7 Airport Flyer Express Link, from GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/air/from-uk
PLANNER
îDRIVE YOUR DREAM CAR
Fancy driving an E-Type or an Aston Martin or Austin Healey 3000 or perhaps you’ve always hankered after an Audi ur-quattro? Beautiful memories are available to hire. vintage-classics.co.uk
îBOOK A DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The West Country’s home of motorsport Castle Combe Circuit offers a range of driving experiences for different abilities. castlecombecircuit.co.uk
îGENERAL CAR HIRE
Some recognisable brands operating in the region are Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Sixt and Hertz. You can arrange in advance to pick these up at any of the nearby airports. GreatWestWay.co.uk/explore/car-hire
GreatWestWay.co.uk
53
