nigel vile’s walk

MAP

OS Explorer 156 Chippenham & Bradford

Terrain

A flat and easy walk

DISTANCE 5 miles

Time

Up to 3 hours

START

Somerset Arms in Semington (GR 898607 or postcode BA14 6JR)

Semington is an altogether better place since 2004 when the village finally got its much deserved bypass. Until that time, the A350 trunk road running from the m4 to the south coast ripped through the heart of the place. 18,000 vehicles, including many articulated lorries, passed along the village’s High Street every day. the residents could barely hear each other speak, never mind the issues with crossing the main road. today it is an altogether more peaceful scene.

the architectural expert nikolaus Pevsner was much taken with Semington’s Church with its bell-turret, as well as manor Farmhouse that dates from 1698. He also noted a group of georgian houses on the High Street, and commented on one of ‘about 1800 with tripartite

windows and a porch of two pairs of ionic columns.’ there was also St george’s Hospital, now the independent Living Centre, which is housed in the former melksham Workhouse. erected in 1838 and based upon the Poor Law’s Commissioner’s standard cruciform plan, up to 70 inmates could be housed in the building.

A fieldpath running alongside the K&A Canal brings the walk through to Whaddon Lane before a slightly elevated footpath with views continues through to marsh Farm with its various business sheds. these include a glassworks and a picture framer, a classic car concern and a stone mason. that elevated path brings views that encompass Bradford-onavon and Holt, Whaddon and Bowden Hill above Lacock. the other dominant landmark visible from this vantage point above West Wiltshire is the Cereal Partners factory at Staverton, where breakfast cereals Shreddies and Shredded Wheat are produced.

the return to Semington follows a lengthy section of the K&A Canal towpath, with a remoteness and solitude seemingly miles away from the ‘m25 feel’ of the towpath between Bradfordon-avon and Bath. As well as a rich array of wildfowl, look out for a winding hole where barges can turn, the diminutive aqueduct where the canal crosses Semington Brook and the canal’s former junction with the Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal that ran through to the River thames near Abingdon. And a slight detour towards the end of the walk will bring you to the two locks at Semington known as Buckley’s and Barrett’s.

Back in Semington, a visit to the Somerset Arms is almost obligatory. in fact, arrive here early and you could enjoy a pre-walk breakfast, served between 9 and 11am, where the options extend from a ‘Build Your own Brekkie’ through to ‘the mighty Breakfast.’ Check the website for the usual food serving times and to find quite an excellent array of food choices. Despite being ‘by-passed,’ the village pub continues to thrive and it is good to see youngsters being encouraged to be more adventurous in their tastes, with smaller children’s portion options from the main menu.

GETTING There

Follow the A361 from trowbridge for 2½ miles before turning left into Semington village. Drive down the High Street and park in the vicinity of the Somerset Arms.

1. THE SOMERSET ARMS

With your back to the Somerset Arms, follow Semington’s High Street to the right. in 400 yards, turn right into St george’s Road and walk along to the former melksham Workhouse, now the independent Living Centre and a residential development. turn right in front of the former workhouse and follow a footpath down to Pound Lane. 2. POUND Lane turn left and follow what soon becomes a track for 400 yards until it enters an open field, ignoring a bridleway on the right along the way. Follow the right edge of this field, and three further fields, through to Whaddon Lane, the path bordering the K&A Canal for most of the way.

3. WHADDON Lane turn left and walk uphill for 250 yards before passing through a gateway on the right into a field – there is no footpath sign. Follow the farm track ahead across the left edges of three fields to a gate and the access road to marsh Farm. Follow this road to the right down to a complex of business units and across a field to the K&A Canal.

4. CANAL TOWPATH

Cross bridge 165 at this point and follow the towpath to the right for 1½ miles to bridge 160 in Semington. Follow a path to the left immediately before this bridge up to a road, turn right and follow the road back to the Somerset Arms.

Contact via vilewalks on Facebook or email nigelvile@gmail.com

» Clockwise from top right: the former workhouse; the Somerset Arms; the Kennet & Avon canal. Photos by Nigel Vile