Lacock riverside walk
Explore the medieval market village of Lacock, with its superb architecture and houses dating back over 800 years. The route opens up to beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and the River Avon, as it follows the river bank through the valley of Snaylesmeade on which stands the historic Lacock Abbey.
Map
Start:
Hither way car par
1
From the car park, cross the road and follow the brown tourist signs into the village, where you’ll emerge in front of the Fox Talbot Museum and entrance to Lacock Abbey.
2
From here, walk toward the High Street and pass the Red Lion pub on the left, where you'll see a half-timbered house on your right. Walk down East Street to your right, passing the Tithe Barn on your right-hand side and then the Village Hall.
3
At the end of East Street, with the bakery in front of you, turn right towards the church. Turn left just before the church at the half-timbered house, towards the brook and the packhorse bridge. Walk over the bridge, keeping the weir to your right. Walk up the hill, past allotments on your left.
4
At the top, pass through a kissing gate and onto a narrow tarmac path which leads down to the hamlet of Reybridge. As you approach another kissing gate at the end of the path, you’ll see glimpses of the River Avon to your right.
5
Pass through the gate and walk down the path, past Wicket Gate Cottage. Continue along the path then turn right and then right again over the bridge. At the end of the bridge turn immediately right over the stile and into a field.
6
Keep the river on your right and walk along the river bank. Through the clearing in the trees, look back towards the village for views of St Cyriac's church.
7
Exit the field through a metal kissing gate and wooden bridge. With the river still on your right, continue along its bank. After the next bend in the river, the path veers off to the left. Pass over a stile and along a waymarked path through the middle of the field. Here you can catch your first glimpse of Lacock Abbey on your right.
8
Leave the field by the metal gate and walk along the field edge to a stile and footbridge. Cross over the footbridge, where you'll see your first view of Sharington’s Tower at the Abbey. With the tower on your right, cast your eye along the river which is marked out by a line of trees in the middle distance. Scanning to the left you’ll see Stone Bridge, walk towards this over the well worn path, which goes diagonally right across a field. At this point you could take a small diversion and head straight towards the river where you’ll get better views of the Abbey on the opposite side.
9
Continue on to the stone stile by the bridge, cross over it and turn right towards the village. Walk over the bridge, onto the footpath and back to the car park. Take care as this is a busy road.
End:
Hither way car park