A wonderful way to Seend an afternoon
The village of Seend enjoys an enviable location on a ridge, with fine views in all directions. From Holy Cross Church, the outlook extends across the Vale of Steeple Ashton towards Salisbury Plain, whilst to the north the views encompass the Avon Vale. Those rather grand houses on the hilltop date back to a time when the village was a weaving centre, and an earlier wave of European migration when Flemish wool workers were encouraged to settle in the area. Holy Cross Church can boast a fine stained glass window with scenes that depict the history of this corner of Wiltshire. There are images of the nearby K&A Canal, local agriculture, a former iron works and the weaving industry. Iron deposits were found in the area with the antiquary John Aubrey recording how the local ore was of such a quality that it could be smelted on a blacksmith’s forge far more easily than Forest of Dean ore. A series of bumps in a field are all that remain of this chapter in the village’s history. The K&A Canal between Bath and Bradford-on-avon has become a victim of its own success, with cyclists and walkers, young families with buggies and fishermen all vying for positions. The canal at Seend is altogether more peaceful, although even here things can get busy at peak times! There are locks and swing bridges, narrow boats and a rich array of wildfowl that could well include a rather tame heron that has made his home on this stretch of the waterway. Thankfully, the old bargees were a pretty thirsty and hard- drinking bunch, which meant that there were a good number of watering holes along the way! At Seend, it is the Barge Inn – what else!? – one of the most picturesque hostelries along the canal. With a terrace overlook- ing the waterway, there are few better places to sit and enjoy a beer or glass of wine, with a sandwich or a baguette or something more substantial. It is one of those timeless locations where it is good not to be the nominated driver!