Swallett Gate

Settlement in Wiltshire

England

Swallett Gate

From a Swindon-Bristol train, fields near Sodom Lane Credit: Nigel Thompson

Swallett Gate is a picturesque village located in the county of Wiltshire, England. Situated in the southern part of the county, this rural settlement is nestled within the stunning countryside and offers a tranquil and idyllic atmosphere.

The village is known for its charming cottages, many of which date back several centuries, giving it a distinct historical feel. The architecture reflects the traditional English countryside style, with thatched roofs, exposed timber beams, and quaint gardens. The local church, St. Mary's, stands as a prominent landmark, showcasing beautiful stonework and intricate stained glass windows.

Surrounded by rolling green hills and meandering streams, Swallett Gate is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking outdoor activities. The village is surrounded by extensive walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the breathtaking countryside. Nearby, the ancient woodland of Swallett Forest offers a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

Despite its rural setting, Swallett Gate has a strong sense of community. The village hosts various events throughout the year, including summer fairs, harvest festivals, and Christmas markets. The local pub, The Swallett Inn, serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, offering a warm welcome and traditional pub fare.

In summary, Swallett Gate presents a quintessential English countryside experience, with its charming cottages, natural beauty, and strong community spirit. It is an ideal destination for those looking to immerse themselves in rural charm and enjoy the serenity of the Wiltshire landscape.

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Swallett Gate Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.525968/-2.0156632 or Grid Reference ST9980. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

From a Swindon-Bristol train, fields near Sodom Lane

Nigel Thompson

Milestone, Idover Lane, Dauntsey

The u/c road is given as Idover Lane, it leads to Idover Demesne Farm and another milestone. The road was administered by the Malmesbury Third District Turnpike Trust in the 18/19ᵗʰ C. The rivet benchmark is almost certainly destroyed with weathering (representing 61.3 m ASL). Inscription: Chippenham / 10 / Miles / Malmesb,y / 5 / Miles Grade II Listed November 1987 No 1022490 see Link

Milestone Society National ID: WI_MYCP05

Tom Blanden

Farmland south of M4 near Dauntsey

Robin Webster

M4 passing under bridge near Dauntsey

A bridleway crosses.

Robin Webster

2011 : B4069 heading west toward Christian Malford

And Chippenham. Just made it round the bend, some of the bends on this hill are easy to misjudge.

Maurice Pullin

2011 : B4069 heading into Lyneham

Go to the top of the hill seen in SU0079 : B4069 towards Lyneham

Maurice Pullin

Insured in Bradenstoke

An ancient house bears an insurance plaque, so marking it out as having some protection.

Neil Owen

Need a lift home?

The Cross Keys Inn is the last surviving pub in Bradenstoke (The nearby Jolly Trooper Inn is now a private residence). Outside is what appears to be a taxi, with graphics. Do they do home deliveries of drinkers?

Neil Owen

The Cross Keys

A large sign outside the pub.

Neil Owen

Providence Chapel, Bradenstoke

The Strict Baptist chapel was founded in 1777 and has a burial ground to the rear of the property. Built by Isaac Turner of Calne, it was adorned with a clock and bell of 1775, provided by John Broom of Castle Combe. The chapel is said to be the only one in Britain that has a bell to summon worshippers. Repair work and restoration was needed and in 1928 £500 was raised to carry out the work; the bellcote rebuilt around 1960. With dwindling congregations, the church shut for a time in 1997 but was re-opened a year later.

Neil Owen

Earthworks by the fishpond

The ancient sites of Clack Mount and Bradenstoke Abbey are physically close, if not historically. Their various extents meet and probably overlap around here, somewhere between the two major centres. The thick vegetation hides what is believed to be a fishpond, associated with the former abbey further to the west. Earthworks surround and link to the older 'castle' of Clack Mount, although the sheep are not that bothered as they can wander freely across the landscape.

Neil Owen

A Barrow and a motte

Clack Mount is an enigmatic ancient site. There are few solid details to draw from, but it appears to be a Bronze Age barrow mound, surrounded by later motte and bailey earthworks. Some writers have labelled the burial mound as Scufa's Barrow, and is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon documents, but this is not fully proven. Its location close to the ruinous Bradenstoke Abbey suggests that some of the earthworks here are much later, even perhaps that the area was landscaped as a prospect in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries. Certainly, there is a small mound that was built as a WWII pillbox.

Neil Owen

Keeping the brothers fed

Bradenstoke Abbey was founded in around 1142 by Augustinian Canons and dedicated to St Mary. It remained in use until the Dissolution in 1539 and to keep the monks in food two fishponds were dug to the east of the main buildings. Now heavily overgrown the two ponds are marked by the greenery and with sheep allowed to graze they are easy to find. The remains of the Abbey tower still stand in the background.

Neil Owen

The tower remains standing

Bradenstoke Abbey was founded in 1142 and continued to operate until the Dissolution in 1539. It then was used mainly as a farm and much of the original buildings altered or indeed became derelict over the centuries. However, the real losses occurred in the 1920s when the owner, American newspaper magnate Raldolph Hearst, took lots of stonework and moved it elsewhere. Some of it ended up at St Donat's in Glamorgan, the rest went to his estate in the States. Fortunately, the tower was not removed and is the principal survivor from the time.

Neil Owen

Still holding water

One of the old abbey fishponds in Bradenstoke stills holds water - as evidenced by the lush growth covering it.

Neil Owen

Bradenstoke Abbey tower

Pretty all that remains of the original Augustinian Abbey is the tower. A Scheduled monument.

Neil Owen

Seat at the end of Hollow Way

To aid walkers a seat has been provided near the abbey ruins, part of which became used as a farm. It bears the engraving 'Friends:Past.Present.Future', and is made from recycled plastic waste.

Neil Owen

Pathways from the Abbey farm

Some of the old abbey buildings became used as a farm and at the southern end are a couple of ways around the countryside. See ST9978 : Seat at the end of Hollow Way for a look at the seat.

Neil Owen

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Swallett Gate is located at Grid Ref: ST9980 (Lat: 51.525968, Lng: -2.0156632)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire