Cricklade: 9th century town on the Thames in Wiltshire

Cricklade is a small pretty town, lying just outside the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is the only Wiltshire town situated on the banks of the River Thames.

What To Do And See

Many of the buildings in the town can be dated back to between the 11th and 16th centuries and the parish church of St Sampson's was built in the 13th century. However, St Mary's church is said to be the older of the two remaining churches and is of Saxon origins.

On the edge of the town is North Meadow, a National Nature Reserve and home to around 80% of Britain's wild Snakeshead Fritillary, a rare flower which only flowers for a short time during April.

The Jubilee clock which was erected in 1898 in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee stands outside The Vale Hotel in the High Street, where the Town Cross once stood.

Interesting Tidbits

St Sampson's church, dating back to the 11th century, has the third longest bell ropes in Britain.

In 2002 the Snakeshead Fritillary was chosen as the County flower of Oxfordshire following a poll by the wild flora conservation charity Plantlife.

Surrounding Area

The market town of Cirencester with its roman connections lies only 12 Km to the North West, and 20 Km away are Kemble and the starting point of the River Thames.

Also nearby is the Cotswold Water Park, Britain's largest with 132 lakes, which offers tranquil walks and exciting water sports.

Ashton Keynes, close by, is a charming village with the main street following the course of the young River Thames. Small footbridges connect the houses to the road, and in the churchyard is an ancient "preaching cross", a cross erected out-of-doors and designating a preaching place.