Places to Walk To
Nearby places to visit
within walking distance
westwood manor (nt)
Whilst Iford Manor was the seat of the Horton Family from the late 1400s until 1625, the Hortons also rented Westwood Manor in the neighbouring village of Westwood in the 1500s. Now owned by the National Trust, visitors can enjoy decorative plasterwork, a music room, fine period furniture, tapestries and a modern topiary garden in this charming, small manor house.
Whilst there, enjoy the Parish Rooms tearoom or The New Inn which isn’t so ‘new’ and, according to Historic England, dates back to the mid 18th century.
farleigh castle (english heritage)
This picturesque, ruined castle in the Iford Valley just a short walk along the Iford Manor Estate footpaths, may be peaceful today but beneath its 21st tranquility lies a tumultuous past. Once a towering testament to the wealth of the Hungerford family, over the course of its 700 year history the castle has witnessed immense wealth, scandal, murder, imprisonment and death. The audio guide is a must when visiting here!
Iford Manor and Iford Mill were purchased by Sir Edward Hungerford III in 1625, the parkland from the castle already running up to Iford. After his death in 1648 the Hungerford estate passed to his cousin, but Iford and nearby Corsham House (today Corsham Court) passed to his wife Lady Margaret (nee Halliday), daughter of William Halliday former Lord Mayor of London, until her death in 1672 when Iford passed back into the Hungerford estate.
avoncliff aqueduct & weir
One of the most impressive structures on Britain's waterways, the Avoncliff Aqueduct built by architect and engineer John Rennie, stands at over 100 metres long and 18 metres wide, and carries the Kennet & Avon Canal over the River Avon, as well as the GWR railway. There are no through roads through Avoncliff making for the most charming of villages.
Whilst there, enjoy food and drinks from No. 10 Tea Gardens or The Cross Guns pub.
Walk along the towpath, passing the Barton Farm Country Park and you easily reach the picturesque town of Bradford-upon-Avon.
A beautiful walk through the Iford Manor Estate takes you to the village of Freshford. Passing through the ancient Friary Woods, owned & managed by the estate, you will find the old home for the lay brothers from nearby Hinton Priory, a Carthusian Monastery founded by Ela, Countess of Salisbury, founded in 1232.