Avoncliff, near Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

Avoncliff is a small, picturesque village of less than thirty homes and a pub, nestling in the Limpley Stoke Valley, one and a half miles from Bradford on Avon. At this point, the Kennet and Avon Canal crosses the River Avon and the railway line by the Avoncliff Aqueduct, one of the most impressive structures on British Waterways. It was built by John Rennie and John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801. It is 100 metres long and 18 metres wide.

Surprisingly, the village has a railway station, Avoncliff Halt, with trains operated by First Great Western. At one time, it was a request stop, hence the name. Next to the Avoncliff Aqueduct on the towpath, is the Cross Guns pub, dating from the 15th century, with a lovely terraced garden leading to the River Avon. Its name is derived from the rifle range built in the 18th century beside the pub, when the Wiltshire Rifle Volunteers Regiment was formed.

Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, between Bradford on Avon and Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, between Bradford on Avon and Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, between Bradford on Avon and Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal from Meadows Bridge, Avoncliff

Meadows Bridge and Bradford on Avon Swing Bridge, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

The Cross Guns pub, Avoncliff

The Cross Guns pub, Avoncliff

The Cross Guns pub and Aqueduct Cottage, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct over River Avon, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Aqueduct, Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Halt Station, First Great Western Railway, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Halt Station, First Great Western Railway, Avoncliff

Avoncliff Halt Station, First Great Western Railway, Avoncliff

Kennet and Avon Canal, Avoncliff

Old North Mill and Weir, River Avon, Avoncliff

River Avon, Avoncliff

No 10. Tea Gardens, Avoncliff

Garden, The Cross Guns pub, Avoncliff

The Cross Guns pub, Avoncliff

The Cross Guns pub, Avoncliff