A walk around Bromham [28]

Image: © Michael Dibb Taken: 26 Feb 2023

Turnpike Cottage on The Turnpike. What is now a minor road to the left and a byway to the right was once the main road from London to Bath. In the 17th century this road diverged from the London to Bristol road at Beckhampton, crossed the flat downland and ran over the summit of Beacon Hill before descending towards Sandy Lane. It declined in importance from the mid 18th century when London to Bath traffic began to use the Bristol road through Calne, and it was disturnpiked in 1790. From the car park in front of the Greyhound public house, the route leads through fields and along Highfield to cross the A342 road. The next path leads past Bromham House Farm to Turnpike Farm and on to Wick Farm. Then paths through fields to Chittoe Heath and along minor roads to Nonsuch Nurseries. Another path through fields leads to a surfaced path at the edge of Wyatt’s Wood, this leads to the High Street and back to the starting point. Almost exactly 4 miles.

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