Discover Wickwar: History and Walking Trails

Wickwar combines a distinctive historic character with varied opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot. For a trip catering to different interests, the village therefore offers both cultural and historical points of interest and routes through the countryside. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Wickwar can use their desired blend of local history and days spent walking as the basis for choosing their location.

Historic Wickwar between the High Street and Town Hall

Wickwar’s distinctive character dates back to its medieval origins in the 13th century as a planned settlement. The medieval street layout and Wickwar’s historic character as a former market town have largely been preserved. The historic centre of the medieval village includes the High Street and the associated back lanes. Anyone who would first like to get to know the village at a relaxed pace will find a clear impression here of Wickwar’s evolved structure, without limiting their visit to a single attraction.

The widest section of Wickwar High Street lies opposite the Town Hall. This is where the market cross is believed to have stood. Wickwar Town Hall on the High Street also has a clock that is considered to be the oldest still-functioning clock in a public building in England. These two details make the High Street a particularly interesting reference point for a tour through the village’s history. Holy Trinity Church stands high on a hill and overlooks Wickwar. Until the 18th century, Wickwar prospered through the wool industry, providing another perspective on the village’s historical development.

The historical surroundings also include the Roman small town of Wickwar, which lies 2 km south-west of the village of Wickwar and is designated as a Scheduled Monument. This creates a field of interest for history-minded travellers that extends from the Roman past through medieval settlement planning to the former market and wool industries. The individual locations should be considered as separate aspects of the village’s history.

Walking trails for different day plans

The countryside around Wickwar can also be incorporated into your travel plans. In the area between Wickwar and Hawkesbury Upton lies Lower Woods, an ancient woodland designated as an SSSI, with three marked walking trails. Anyone wishing to spend a day in the woods can put this location on their list as a separate excursion. The exact plan for the day remains flexible and can be adapted to personal interests and the desired pace.

Within Wickwar, the Wickwar Nature & Remembrance Trails begin at Wickwar Town Hall on the High Street. The two walking maps are suitable for all age and ability groups. In addition, public rights of way, including public footpaths and bridleways, run through the Parish of Wickwar. For families or travel groups with different preferences, it may be helpful to alternate between the historic impressions in the village and an active stay on the trails. This allows one day to focus more on culture, while another leaves more room for nature and physical activity.

Which location suits your accommodation

When looking for holiday accommodation in Wickwar, it is worth making a clear decision about your preferred focus. If you are particularly interested in the High Street, the Town Hall and the historic village centre, choosing a location near the centre may be a factor in your selection. If walks and nature experiences are the priority, you should assess the accommodation’s location in relation to your planned activities for the day. When choosing accommodation in Wickwar, you can set your personal travel focus individually between local history, woodland landscape and marked trails. For the specific selection, rely on the accommodation features stated in each listing and the location that suits you.

Compare other destinations

If you would like to compare other places before booking, you can also view Tortworth, Chipping Sodbury, Acton Turville, Falfield, Pucklechurch, Almondsbury, Winterbourne and Chippenham.

For the overarching travel overview: South Gloucestershire.