Discover Rode

Rode combines a rich history with a landscape that can be explored on foot, by bicycle and along the River Frome. Between historic churches, a distinctive bridge and fields bordered by hedgerows, it offers a destination for anyone looking to combine culture and activity. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether to focus your trip on the local history, excursions into the countryside or a mixture of both.

Churches, Bridge and Local History

St Lawrence Church is one of Rode’s defining historic buildings. It dates from the late 14th and early 15th centuries and contains numerous memorial plaques and monuments. A particular tradition is the annual “Clipping the church” ceremony, traditionally held on Easter Monday or Shrove Tuesday. Anyone interested in local customs and the development of a place will find a tangible connection to Rode’s history here.

Christchurch on Rode Hill also reflects the former needs of the local population. The church was built because people had to walk two and a half miles to North Bradley to attend church. The religious history of the area also extends beyond individual buildings: John Wesley visited Rode at least four times, on 23 September 1746, 23 March 1749, 12 September 1780 and 13 September 1781.

Rode Bridge is a multi-arched road bridge and is listed as a Grade II Listed Building. Its passing bay contains an upright parish boundary stone inscribed “NORTH BRADLEY/ROAD”, as well as a small county boundary stone set into the bridge surface. Details like these are worth examining closely, especially if you are looking for traces of history not only in museums but directly in the local streetscape.

Further evidence of the past includes The Old Chapel on High Street, built as a Methodist chapel in 1809, and Shawford Mill. In 1516, the mill was recorded as having two watermills, two “stocks” and a corn mill under one roof. The woollen cloth trade in the West Country also had a major influence on Rode from the 16th to the 19th century.

River Landscape and Routes

Immediately west of Rode, the River Frome runs through a tree-lined, meandering riverbed bordered by meadows. Arable land surrounds the village, with small fields separated by hedgerows. This combination of river, meadows and agriculturally shaped landscape gives walks a clear regional character.

There are walking and cycling routes in Rode. The Macmillan Way runs through the village, and Rode is also on National Cycle Route 254. The footpath network around Rode is managed by Somerset Council, which provides the interactive ROAM map. You can use it to set different priorities for your day: a cultural circuit through the village, a walk or a cycling tour on one of the designated routes.

Rode as a Base for Your Trip

Rode lies just off the A36. The nearest motorways are listed as the M4 and the A303/M3. Bus services run from Rode to Bath, Frome, Chippenham and Trowbridge. This information can help you consider your journey and possible excursions when choosing your accommodation, without limiting your stay to a single type of trip.

A holiday apartment in Rode is particularly well suited to a trip planned around historical discoveries and routes through the countryside on an equal footing. If you opt for longer days outdoors, the Macmillan Way, National Cycle Route 254 and the footpath network may all play a role. For days focused on culture, St Lawrence Church, Rode Bridge, The Old Chapel and the historical references to the woollen cloth trade offer several different points of interest.

Compare Other Destinations

If you would like to consider other places for your trip planning alongside Rode, you can also discover Lovington, North Curry, West Quantoxhead, Taunton, Evercreech, Chard, Kingsbury Episcopi and Hatch Beauchamp.

For the overarching travel overview: Somerset.