This is a short family-friendly route around the heart of Sutton Benger village, pointing out places of historical interest.
This trail provides more information about places that are listed on the two 'Welcome' signs, one located on the Village Hall and one in Draycot Cerne.
This is a circular cross-country walk from the Village Hall, to Gate Farm and then to Chissell Brook, and back via Sutton Lane Meadows to the Village Hall.
This is a walk from the Village Hall, to the Draycot Park entrance, to Draycot Cerne, and return.
This is a walk from the Village Hall, to Sutton Lane, back along the High Street and Seagry Road to La Flambé, then along the footpath (the old Barrett Lane) to the B4069 bridge over the River Avon, and then into Christian Malford. Return via the Christian Malford meadows to the Avon Weir, back across the Avon to Sutton Lane, and along Sutton Lane to return to the Village Hall.
This walk takes you past various locations associated with the Romano-Saxon history of Sutton Benger; but note that there is no visible evidence of this history. Also, close to the walk, are remains of pillboxes from World War II; but please remember to stay on Public Rights of Way at all times.
This a long walk, uphill from Sutton Benger along Seagry Road, to cross the M4, left along the footpaths to Harding's Farm, into Upper Seagry along Scotland Road and Henn Lane, to Goss Croft Hall, then back through Upper Seagry along the roads to Seagry Hill, returning to Sutton Benger Village Hall.
As an alternative, you could start this walk from Goss Croft Hall, to Sutton Benger, returning to Upper Seagry via Harding's Farm.
Sutton Benger church was built in the 12th century, nearly 1000 years ago.
Sutton Benger church was dedicated to St Leonard, but renamed All Saints in 1763. In the time of the Civil War (1642-1651) the Roundheads stabled their horses in the church, damaging statues and windows. Legend has it that the church bells were hidden in the Bell House for safety and one was stolen. During World War II, the church tower was used as a look out by the Home Guard.
The 1808 image of All Saints’ Church was originally a watercolour by John Buckler (1770 – 1851), who was an artist and occasional architect. The Wiltshire Museum at Devizes has a small collection of his work.
For about 100 years, throughout the 1900s, the house on the corner of High Street and Seagry Road was a shop that became known as The Corner Shop, with an entrance on the High Street. At one time, in the 1940s, it also served as the Post Office. There were two entrances, one for the shop and one for the Post Office.
Mrs Gertrude Annie Ball was the shopkeeper and postmistress from the early 1930s into the 1940s.
In the 1700s and 1800s, the High Street through Sutton Benger was a main road, with horse-drawn coaches travelling from Bristol and Bath to Oxford. There were at least three blacksmiths in the village; one was possibly in the Corner Shop, or next door at 54 High Street.
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