Industrial Heritage of the Vale

The history of Crofton and Wilton Windmill is very much connected. When the Kennet & Avon Canal was built, it needed water to be pumped into the canal to keep the levels up, so Crofton Beam Engines was built, at the highest point of the canal, to do this job. Water for the canal was taken from a number of the local streams, which meant that local watermills were unable to operate as the water levels were not strong enough. To subdue the local unrest, Wilton Windmill was built to enable local farms to get their wheat ground into flour.

All these landmarks, together with the Great Western Railway which also passes here, are products of the Industrial Revolution and all of them are still working today!

Wilton Windmill – Roman Road – Crofton Beam Engines – Wilton Water – 2.3 miles

Great Bedwyn – Kennet & Avon Canal – Crofton – Wilton & Bedwyn Brail – 5.2 miles

Information on where to eat can be found on each of the walk links.

Allow mid-morning through to mid-afternoon