This is a 1.3 mile route taking in a lovely stretch of Abberd Brook, past a spring-fed pond and two play areas. The route will then take you through the underpass at Prince Charles Drive and the fantastic mosaics. Coming back along the other side of the brook, the route will take you past the Coleman's Farm Learning and Community Centre and around the Recreation Ground, which was given to Calne by Thomas Harris. Finally, you'll walk past the house that Joseph Priestley lived in during the time he discovered Oxygen at Bowood before finishing at the point where Abberd Brook meets the River Marden.
Important Information:
There is plenty of free parking in the car park at the start point of this route.
There are shops nearby, including Sainsburys. There are also public toilets available at The Pippin.
This route is fantastic for kids, as there are plenty of ducks close to the start point and often at the pond, so bring along some food for them, if you like. There are also two play areas along the route and another at The Recreation Ground, just off the route.
The route can be made accessible by missing out the pond, which can be seen from the main footpath.
I have done this route with a pushchair with no problems, however depending on the pushchair, you may struggle at the concrete weir that allows access to the bank between the brook and the pond. Returning back around the pond to the bridge will allow you to continue the route.
Directions
1) This route begins where the Abberd Brook flows into the River Marden, at the free car park close to Sainsburys.
Take a moment to read the information board that was installed by the Friends of the Abberd Brook (which is now Friends of the Marden Valley). If you've brought food for the ducks, you'll often find a raft of ducks from her all the way to the pond.
2) As you walk along this route, you'll notice that the brook is very straight. In the 1960s, with the building of Coleman's Farm Estate, the brook was straightened greatly between Prince Charles Drive and the River Marden.
The pond, which you are approaching was also created at that time. It is fed by springs that had made the ground marshy and has since become an important area for wildlife.
3) Take a right, crossing over the bridge, to explore the pond in greater detail. There are two options, one is taking the lower route, using the wooden platform. The other is taking the upper path around the pond. Both routes meet at the grass near the bench on the other side of the pond.
If you find that this part of the walk is not accessible to you, please continue along the brook at direction number 6.
4) Upon reaching the far side of the pond, you'll have the chance to rest on the bench. Perhaps you'll be watching the wildlife for a few peaceful moments, or perhaps watching your children feed the ducks. This pond is a fantastic nursery for ducklings between mid-March and July.
5) This concrete weir (for want of the better word), allows access to the bank between the brook and the pond. I've found that my children enjoy this part as it's the most adventurous point of the route. However, if this isn't accessible to you, please return around the pond the way you came, crossing the bridge back to the path along the brook.
6) After crossing the bridge, turn right to continue along the brook. Soon you'll reach the two play areas, which are separated into age groups. Just a short distance from the play areas, keeping to the path along the brook, at the back of the houses, you'll reach the stepping stones, which are fun for all generations! After a quick play, return to the route and continue along the path.
7) The brook, which is home to much wildlife, provides many opportunities for interaction. Each bridge is a chance to play pooh sticks. Each drop in water level, a chance to stop, listen, and watch the mesmerising movement of the water on its journey to the Bristol Channel.
8) These mosaics, placed in 2011 and 2014, are an excellent example of a community project. Friends of the Abberd Brook, along with artists, Gill and David Reeves, and children from Priestley Primary School created these wonderful mosaics. Further along the route, you'll see even move colourful mosaics at the community centre.
9) The path along the brook goes as far as the bridge near Brook Way. Take a right to cross the bridge, but as you do, look along the length of the brook. Interestingly, no natural river will run straight for more than 10 times its width. Even the straightened brook is starting to meander within its narrow course.
Take a right as you leave the bridge, to come back to the underpass at Prince Charles Drive.
10) As you reach the underpass, follow the path to the left. At Prince Charles Drive, feel free to cross over wherever you find it safe to do so.
To reach the accessible crossing, cross Falcon Road and continue up Prince Charles Drive a short distance.
11) Now on the other side of Prince Charles Drive, follow the route back towards the underpass. Cross Forman Street, to the path on the other side of the street, then take a left to walk westwards along it.
After a short distance, you'll reach the Colemans Farm Learning and Community Centre, which in 2013 was brightened up with a mosaic. The mosaic comprising of birds and flowers was created as part of a community project spearheaded by ceramicists, David and Gill Reeves.
12) Continuing along the paths, take a left in between the housing, just before you reach Baily House. This short alleyway will lead you to Calne's Recreation Ground.
After a few metres, take a right, to walk along the path.
The Recreation Ground was given to Calne by Thomas Harris, of C&T Harris, on Friday 21 August 1891, as a way to celebrate his silver wedding anniversary. Having been in the unfortunate position to lose his first two wives, you can imagine that he never expected to celebrate 25 years of marriage. His wife, Elizabeth, gave a drinking fountain, however this has since been replaced.
13) Upon reaching a junction, follow the path to the left. Walking past the copper beech trees, perhaps taking a moment to sit on a bench.
14) The Recreation Ground was given to Calne by Thomas Harris, of C&T Harris, on Friday 21 August 1891, as a way to celebrate his silver wedding anniversary. Having been in the unfortunate position to lose his first two wives, you can imagine that he never expected to celebrate 25 years of marriage.
For a long time, the ground were home to a cycle track, but as recreation tastes changed, the track was removed.
15) As you continue along the path, you will reach an area known as Hillcroft, which was owned by the Calne Methodist Church and was leased to Calne Town Council for close to 60 years before it was put up for sale. Worried about the loss of recreation space, eventually, the Council would acquire the land, part of which became a small development of five red brick houses, which were built c. 1999 – 2002, with the rest remaining as recreational ground.
As you reach the enclosed play space, keep to the right path at the trees, heading towards the Calne Bowls Club, which was established in 1914.
16) After passing the Bowls Club, you will reach the pavilion, which operated as a Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital during WWII.
When Thomas Harris gave the town the Recreation Ground, his wife, Elizabeth, gave a drinking fountain. However, as time passed, the fountain deteriorated and became beyond repair by the early 1920s. The drinking fountain that is currently in place was originally located at The Square in Calne was moved to replace it.
Continue out of the gates, taking note of the Catetakers Cottage that was provided with the Recreation Grounds.
19) After a short distance, you will reach Calne Mill, which was a corn mill, closing in around 1966.
20) When you reach the end of the bridge, you've reach the end of the walk. However, take a moment to turn back around and notice where the Abberd Brook meets with the River Marden. These waters will meet with the River Avon on the east of Chippenham in a few miles time. Eventually, they will flow as far as Avonmouth before joining the Bristol Channel.
18) You will now be at the junction between Mill Street and Anchor Road. Cross to Mill Street, this time keeping to the path on the right-side of the road.
The house pictured, 3 Anchor Road, was originally the caretaker's cottage. This was part of Thomas Harris' gift to Calne when he presented the Recreation Ground to the town.
19) After a short distance, you will reach Calne Mill, which was a corn mill, closing in around 1966.
Take a right, following the path and bridge along the River Marden back towards the car park. Across the river you'll see the building that used to house the Co-op, which was closed in April 2020.
You'll also see the plaque affixed to a stone proclaiming the area to be Doctor's Pond. The actual pond is said to have been in the area where the car park that served the Co-op. It is named for Joseph Priestley, who experimented a lot in the pond, which is how it got the name. Priestley is most well known for discovering Oxygen, which he first discovered in his laboratory at Bowood House.
Thank you for using this route!
Words and Photographs: Tim Havenith
Map from the lovely folks at OpenStreetMap. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Map from the lovely folks at OpenStreetMap. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
