A Wiltshire town has been hailed as a “miniature Bath” with fewer tourists, celebrity residents and a growing food and shopping scene.
Bradford-on-Avon has been featured in The Telegraph, with its historic architecture, independent businesses, restaurants and countryside among the reasons singled out for praise.
Travel writer Gavin Haines visited the town for the feature, published on Wednesday, November 5, highlighting its medieval streets, riverside setting and historic buildings.
He described Bradford-on-Avon as having a “fairy-tale quality”, pointing to its stone church spires, hillside cottages and medieval bridge as some of its architectural highlights.
The feature also turned the spotlight on one of the town’s best-known residents, former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies.
Davies, who moved to Bradford-on-Avon from Cirencester, said she had been won over by the town’s architecture, setting and community.
She told The Telegraph: “It’s just a really lovely town. There’s a great sense of community; everyone knows each other.
“It’s basically a miniature Bath with parking. We do suffer from not having a bypass, though.”
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Traffic was one of the few drawbacks highlighted during the visit, with the writer noting the difficulties of modern cars navigating a town built long before them.
But much of the feature focused on Bradford-on-Avon’s character, from its medieval bridge and historic buildings to the cottages climbing the hillside above the town centre.
The Ranks were singled out as a particular highlight, offering views across the town after the steep walk uphill.
One resident, named only as Caroline, told the newspaper tourists could easily miss the area despite it being one of the town’s attractions.
She described Bradford-on-Avon as offering “gentle delights”, particularly when its buildings are illuminated during winter evenings.
The feature also looked at how the town has changed, with newer businesses adding to its established independent shopping and hospitality scene.
Jeremy Knight, owner of Silver Street Antiques, said he believed Bradford-on-Avon was “becoming a bit trendy”.
Long-time resident and artist Andre Le Corre also told the newspaper younger people had taken over some shops and given the town “a new feel”.
Several independent businesses were highlighted, including Pipit bakery, Sweetpea Kitchen and Italian restaurant Ravello.
The Stumble Inn and The Bunch of Grapes were among places picked out for a drink, while shops along The Shambles also earned a mention.
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Bradford-on-Avon Museum and the town’s weekly Thursday market were also recommended to visitors.
Woolley Grange was meanwhile highlighted as a “destination hotel” following a six-month renovation.
Despite the praise for places to eat, drink, shop and stay, it was Bradford-on-Avon’s historic character and sense of community which remained at the heart of the feature.
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