This walk is an extension of Route 002a - Horsebrook Nature Trail - Linear that takes you through the nature trail, walking along Shelburne Road, before bringing you to the A4, which is the an old Turnpike Road. Then you'll walk along The Green, a very important part of Calne, which will return you to Horsebrook. There's much history along this walk, which comes in at under 1 mile.
There is roadside parking available. There are no benches or toilet facilities. While route 002a is accessible, there are steps at the end of the nature trail, making this part of the circular walk inaccessible for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Beginning at Horsebrook, which has space for on street parking, the first sight of the river is gained from the bridge. Looking further down the street, you will be able to see Horsebrook mill. The mill, also known as Swaddon’s mill, for one of the families that ran the mill, originally dates back to the 1600s as a fulling mill.
The mill was sold and converted a few times before being rebuilt by Joseph Bailey in 1822, who turned it into a five-storey factory, the biggest in Calne at the time. The mill was devastated by fire in 1861 and the 1930s, before eventually being turned into flats.
Facing south on the bridge, you will see a path to the right of the bridge railing, from here we begin our walk along this peaceful brook. Since the path was upgraded in 2018, this walk is now accessible from here to the steps encountered at Brewers Lane.
Horsebrook, a name which was in use by 1828, likely refers to horses that would have used the brook when at the mill. This first stretch of the walk is bordered by wild garlic in the spring, such an evocative scent – and just one of the many plant species that make this trail such a paradise.
2) Horsebrook Trail Plaque
Following the path as it meanders, we come upon a plaque commemorating Syms, who was a local and well-known builder around Calne. He developed nearby Horsebrook Park c. 1954 and it was the remaining land, which couldn’t be used for housing, that was donated to the town.
Further along the path, to the left, is an opening that reveals a cluster of bug hotels, also some young trees, which will make the path even more secluded in time. For now, we can see the housing on Saddleback Close with their gambrel roofs and riverside gardens.
5) Shelburne Road, built from 1890, is named after the Earl of Shelburne, a courtesy title that is now used alternately with Earl of Kerry between the Marquis of Lansdowne's eldest son and heir apparent. As you walk towards London Road, part of the A4, keep as eye out for a builder's stone high up on the side wall of a terrace of four cottages known as Sunny Terrace.
6) Arriving at the junction between Shelburne Road and London Road, look across the A4 to your left, towards T.K. Tackle. In the wall next to the gate is an old milestone stating, '87 Miles from London. 19 to Bath'. This harks back to the days of the turnpike roads.
Calne was served by a turnpike road from the 1700s. The Turnpike Trust ceased on Tuesday, 31 October 1871, with all equipment auctioned off.
7) Turn to the right and walk along this old turnpike road. The row of terraces across the road are called Lansdowne Row, which was built around 1883 for the workers at the Bowood Estate.
At the junction with Thomas Court, cross the road and continue on. Thomas Court is named for the garage run by Cyril Thomas, an all-round good guy in the town, and a three-time Mayor for Calne between 1944-46.
The last cottage on Lansdowne Row is The London Road Inn, which has operated as an Inn since at least 1828. Evidence of a brewhouse has been discovered behind the inn at Back Road.
At this point cross the other entrance to Shelburne Road and continue onwards, enjoying the elevated pavement that allows you to look down on the cars!
8) Coming to the end of our time on London Road, we will walk past one of the oldest buildings in Calne, The White Hart. It was built in the late 16th century, with the first mention of the Hart Inn in 1659 in the Guild Steward's Book. This Inn has been very important, hosting many Mayors dinners, auctions, and many other high profile events.
Unfortunately, the White Hart has been run down over many years. In 2020, planning permission was granted for some conversion into accommodation and renovation of the existing pub. It was then purchased at auction and it is hoped that the re-development of this listed building will commence in the near future.
9) Now we take another right turn, this time onto The Green; an area that's very important in the history of Calne - and a place that could fill a book with its history. As we walk along these, mostly listed, buildings, I'll mention Priestley House. This is the house that Joseph Priestley likely occupied during his time living in The Green with his family. He performed many experiments during his time in Calne, however none parallel his experiments at Bowood, which led to the discovery of oxygen in 1774.
10) Keeping to the right with lead you to Horsebrook, past Maundrell House. This house is named after owner E.W. Maundrell. Edred's Court is built on the land of the original foundry which was built c. 1850s and was managed to c. 1885 by George Gough. Afterwards, the business was run by E.W. Maundrell, and made a wide range of goods, that included manhole and drain covers (one can still be seen on North End). The foundry closed in 1957, while the site was still used for engineering until the late 1990s.
Continue along Horsebrook back to the start point at the bridge, perhaps taking a few extra mindful moments to watch the water flow past and catching sight of some of the trout that populate the river.
Thank you for using this route!
Steps 1-3 originally published at: https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/calne/blog/read/2020/08/walk-walking-the-horsebrook-nature-trail-b457
Map from the lovely folks at OpenStreetMap. © OpenStreetMap contributors
Map from the lovely folks at OpenStreetMap. © OpenStreetMap contributors
