(Up the) Swanney River where the counties meet

Thursday, 31 March 2011 18:28

Now we are moored at Lechlade we had a few things to do and a supper date with Richard (as mentioned in last blog). But first we had to explore the town, top up the larder and pick up my prescription. After exactly 6 months in Oxfordshire we were finally in another county!

Moored at Lechlade - on Wiltshire side of the river!

A dry afternoon yesterday meant that we set out, camera in hand, to explore ....

We walked to Halfpenny Bridge - once a toll bridge - and under and over it towards the town, entering yet another county: Gloucestershire. The lorries thunder over the bridge - it is a wonder Lechlade residents put up with the traffic going right through the heart of the town.

Halfpenny Bridge

The bridge replaced a ferry at Tidford Ford in 1792. Tolls were levied until 1839 - a half penny, hence the name. The toll house is still there.

Toll House on Halfpenny Bridge

Lechlade was an important Cotswold market town, involved in the wool trade and a staging post for goods such as iron, cheese and coal, with links to London and the River Severn.

The Crown Inn is an old coaching Inn, first recorded in 1696. Lechlade was on the main coach route to London. It has its own micro-brewery, so it now sells its own beer. it stands on the High Street amongst other old buildings.

The Crown Inn on left

We were tempted in to browse the amazing collection of "antiques" and objects that are other peoples junk, but someone's "must have" in the Lechlade Antiques Arcade. The building itself is amazing and must be one of the oldest in the town.

Lechlade Antiques Arcade

We made for St Lawrence Church - a 15th century landmark from the river and a view from our portholes! It is most attractive from this aspect I think.

St Lawrence from river

Sadly, it was closed so we were unable to look inside - but we had a wander around the graveyard! We then returned to the small Londis supermarket, which supplied all we needed, and to the pharmacy for my prescription. Wandering back to Epiphany, I thought that this was a good view of the moorings below the bridge. You can see the Thames meandering towards St John's Lock in the distance.

Moorings on the Thames at Lechlade, Epiphany is the furthest away!

Later in the evening we met up with Richard for a meal at the Riverside pub at Park End Wharf, just above Halfpenny Bridge. It was, as they say, "good craic" and the food was good too! We were treated to an amazing sight - as darkness fell about 80 swans (yes we did a rough count!) gathered by the bridge, outside the pub terrace - they swanned up and down, snoozed, preened and generally gave a wonderful sight. A photo would not have done the scene justice - and I didn't have my camera anyway! During the day, the same swans gather on the meadow by the moorings.

Riverside Inn

More about Lechlade and its environs to come as we explore further upstream towards the actual "limit of navigation" unless you have a draft of less than 2ft or so!