Avoncliff
Coordinates: 51°20′18″N 2°16′56″W / 51.3383°N 2.2822°W
| Avoncliff | |
 Canal Aqueduct |
|
 Avoncliff
Avoncliff shown within Wiltshire |
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| Unitary authority | Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Ceremonial county | Wiltshire |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BRADFORD-ON-AVON |
| Postcode district | BA15 |
| Dialling code | 01225 |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Westbury |
| List of places: UK • England • Wiltshire | |
Avoncliff is a village in Wiltshire.
It is the point at which the Kennet and Avon canal crosses the river and railway line via the Avoncliff Aqueduct, which was built by John Rennie and chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801. The aqueduct consists of three arches and is 110 yards long with a central elliptical arch of 60 ft (18.3 m) span with two side arches each semicircular and 34 ft (10.4 m) across, all with V-jointed arch stones. The spandrel and wing walls are built in alternate courses of ashlar masonry, and rock-faced blocks.[1] The central span sagged soon after it was built and has been repaired many times.[2]
There is also a picturesque weir on the River Avon. This is a popular starting point for walks along both the canal and the river, and also to Barton Farm Country Park.
The Cross Guns Inn was built in the late 17th century and is a Grade II listed building.[3]
[edit] Rail Link
Avoncliff has a tiny railway station, boasting just a one-carriage-length platform in each direction, and used to be called a halt since it was a request stop, requiring people on the platform to wave down the trains. It has become, as of 2011, a regular stop. Services are hourly, run by First Great Western, and generally continue on to Portsmouth, or Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ "Avoncliff Aqueduct". Avoncliff. http://www.avoncliff.co.uk/history/aqueduct.htm. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
- ^ Allsop, Niall (1987). The Kennet & Avon Canal. Bath: Millstream Book. ISBN 0-948975-15-6.
- ^ "The Cross Guns Inn". Images of England. English Heritage. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=314672. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ^ National Rail Enquiries - Station Facilities for Avoncliff
Avoncliff - the Secret History of an Industrial Hamlet in War and Peace, McCamley, Ex-Libris Press 2004
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Avoncliff |
