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.
There used to be large farm on the south side of High Street called Poplar Farm. The farmhouse is now Starlings / Clock House. It was sold in the 1950s to become a family home, as shown in this photograph from the Estate Agent's sale catalogue.
Until 100 years ago, just about every house in the village, no matter how large or small, was owned by the Draycot Estate. All the houses and all the farms were rented from the Lord of the Manor. There used to be six main farms in and around the village, and most villagers worked on a farm or on the Draycot Estate itself. One of the farms was Poplar Farm, which was basically all land south of the High Street.
The farmhouse for Poplar Farm was, until the 1930s, the large house on the south side of the main road now divided between the two houses known as ‘East Starlings’ and 'Clock House'. The gateway from the High Street between 'East Starlings' and today's 'Starlings' is the same as the original driveway into the farmyard. Poplar Farm was merged with Manor Farm in about 1930; the farmer used Manor Farm as his only farmhouse.
The Poplar Farm buildings were sold, originally as one substantial property with large gardens. The house was known as 'Stradone' at first, and was rented to a 'breeder of cocker spaniels' in the 1930s. It then became known as 'Starlings' and was leased to various people, including (for a couple of years) Eric Gardener, of French Gardens.
Lady Maureen Margaret Methuen, the aunt of Lord Methuen of Corsham Court, used to live in the house 50 years ago.
Wheelers End was one of the first houses to be built in the redevelopment on the south of the village in the 1960s. The photo shows the Poplar Farm buildings in the background.
Opposite Starlings, on the north side of the road, are three pairs of estate cottages; two are dated 1889, while the third building (28/30 High Street) is probably older. The three buildings can be seen on the left in the postcard view of the High Street from the early 1900s.
The other photograph, from the Draycot Estate Sale Catalogue of 1920, shows 36/38 High Street.
200 years ago there were three or four inns in the village, providing food and drink and overnight accommodation for people travelling through the village; There were also several smaller 'malthouses' and 'beerhouses' which mainly catered for the villagers. One of the inns was called The Cross Keys. It was probably opposite Poplar Farm, on the north side of the High Street, but was replaced when the estate cottages were built in the later 1800s.
Can you help? Cany you provide an accurate date for the photo of The High Street, perhaps from the cars on the road?
Contact us at hello@bengertrails.co.uk
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