Gate Cottage is a Grade II listed building, dating back to the 1700s. Although it was probably two dwellings originally, during much of the 1800s it was the village draper’s shop and family home. In 1861 the draper was Charles Pomroy, and living here with him were his wife, 2 daughters, a shop assistant, two apprentices and a servant. Charles moved his shop to Sutton House in the centre of the village and was replaced here by George West, a tailor.

In the 1700s there were two natural surface ‘green roads’ heading south of the village to Langley Burrell, leading to Chippenham. Sutton Lane, in the east of the village, eventually became the preferred road and was given a proper surface. The route you are now following was the alternative, leading south from Gate Farm. The black and white photo shows Gate Farm in 1920, when it was sold in the Draycot Estate auction.

The 'green road' from here fell out of favour and was never given a hard surface, possibly because it takes a few dog-legs around field boundaries, and because it can also get quite muddy after rain. However, the route is still well-marked all along this walk. It starts between Gate Court and the new houses at The Shearings.