Читать книгу Made in Great Britain - Tom Quinn - Страница 35

Maud Heath was an extraordinary woman who in 1474 bequeathed her land in order that a solid path from the village of East Tytherton, where she lived, to Chippenham, the nearest market town 5km (3 miles) away, could be built. She wanted to ensure that the people of her village, could walk comfortably and dry-shod to the town over the marshlands.

The causeway that bears her name goes from Wick Hill through East Tytherton, crosses the Kennet and Avon Canal (not built of course until the early 19th century) and the river Avon, before running on past Langley Burrel to Chippenham. Much of the land along the route was low lying and flooded regularly in the Middle Ages. For much of its length today the causeway is just a raised path but the section at Kellaways – rebuilt early in the 19th century – shows how it must once have looked throughout its length.

Around 1.5m (5ft) high, it was originally supported by 64 brick arches. The causeway is still maintained by a committee of trustees who have met every year for 500 years. Maud Heath had sufficient presence of mind to leave money for maintaining the causeway, and today this investment still brings in something in the region of £100,000 a year. A pillar placed at the river crossing at Kellaways in 1698 explains Maud’s story and there is a Georgian statue of her in bonnet and shawl at Wick Hill.

SECRETS

While you’re there

Don’t miss the pretty village of EAST TYTHERTON, which sits snugly in this ancient and glorious landscape.

Secret place to stay

BEECHFIELD HOUSE HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, Beanacre (beechfieldhouse.co.uk). Delightful and luxurious Victorian country house hotel that is easy to find and just 13km (8 miles) away.

The Kellaways section of the raised Causeway.