Find common ground
the Wiltshire village of Broughton Gifford is dominated by a vast common. This open space was at one time grazed by cattle, but one guidebook points out that “grazing ceased after the cattle exercised their rights in ways unapproved of by some local people”.
During the spring and summer, much of the common resembles a grassy meadow that is later used for hay-making. Part of the common is reserved for sporting activities, with the sound of leather on willow creating an archetypal english scene in the cricket season.
The walk heads down the length of Broughton Gifford’s lengthy main street, obviously called The Street, passing the local manor house before reaching St Mary’s Church, a Grade I-listed building that dates from the 13th century. A bridlepath follows, crossing a series of fields to reach Great Chalfield.
Along the way, you will no doubt encounter a field of cattle belonging to Church Farm in Broughton Gifford. They could well be inquisitive but are normally just that, unless you get nervous and run, in which case the cattle will get excited and do likewise!
Great Chalfield Manor was built in the 15th century by Thomas Tropenell, a wealthy lawyer and landowner. At the heart of the manor is the Great hall, flanked by unusually symmetrical gable cross wings and oriel windows. Behind the manor is a romantic Arts and Crafts garden with topiary houses, a rose garden and a spring-fed pond.
The manor is a National Trust property whose opening days and hours can be checked on the NT website. The adjoining church, however, with a charming window depicting the parable of the sower, left, is open every day.
The walk heads away from the
manor along a tree-lined avenue that would, in centuries past, have been the grand approach to this stately home. Although now a surfaced road, there is a short section of the avenue in a field which gives a feel for what this approach to the grand house would have been like in centuries past. At the end of this avenue is a lodge designed by Sir harold Brakspear, that originally would have marked the entrance to this landed estate.
having crossed Broughton Gifford’s Common, the walk ends up back at the Bell On The Common, a traditional village pub that will no doubt prove a tempting diversion.
here is just one of the many excellent reviews: “A real rural pub that serves the community and provides excellent pub food. They have a beautiful
and well-kept garden, plenty of parking space, very good Covid prevention measures and an excellent selection of beers, ales and lagers.”
■ NOTE: The Bell is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Getting there
■ Leave the B3107 Bradford to Melksham road just east of Holt and follow the road signposted to Broughton Gifford. In 1½ miles, park on the edge of the common opposite the Bell.
■ 1. With your back to The Bell On The Common, follow the road to the left for 50 yards before turning right at a junction on a road signposted to Holt and Bradford. Follow this road, it is called The Street, for ¾ mile to reach St Mary’s Church, ignoring a left turn along the way by the local manor house signposted as Mill Lane. Follow a path through the churchyard to a gate, cross the access road to Church Farm to another gate before crossing to a gate in the far right corner of the paddock ahead.
■ 2. Walk across the following field to a gate opposite before crossing the next field to a gateway opposite. In the next field, walk across to a gate in its far left corner. Drop downhill in the following field before following its left edge alongside a stream for 300 yards to a stile and footbridge on the left. Cross the stream and walk up the left edge of the field ahead to join a lane. Turn right, pass
in front of Great Chalfield Manor, before turning right by the entrance to the manor.
■ 3. In 250 yards, where the road bears left, pass through the gateway ahead and follow a path between an avenue of oak trees to a gate and stile and road. Follow the road ahead for a little over ½ mile to a junction by a lodge. Turn right, signposted to Melksham, and follow an occasionally busy road for 350 yards to Broughton Gifford Common. Follow the pavement ahead alongside the common for ¼ mile back to the Bell.