Making our way out of Corsham down Guyer’s Lane we pass Lower Pickwick Farm to cross the Old Turnpike Road and descend into The Larches where we will follow the byway up past the old Fish Ponds and the now derelict Weavern Farm, that stands adjacent to the By Brook.

The name Weavern is a corruption of Wavering, by which the meandering By Brook was known at this location. The Mill was originally a fulling mill. In 1728 it is described as a Corn Mill and in 1793 as a paper mill. It ceased work in 1834.

Joining the Macmillan Way, we follow the National Trail parallel to the By Brook and past Widdenham Farm and the site of Widdenham Mill.

A fulling mill until 1662 then it lay derelict until the 18th century, when it returned to fulling until 1767, during which it was also a nap mill and had its own shear shop. In 1770 it was also dyeing its own cloth. Between 1817 and 1866, the mill produced paper.

Following the flow of the By Brook the path goes towards Drewett’s Mill. The Mill was in working order as recently as 1990, the mill originally operated an overshot wheel driving three grindstones. In recent times, power to two stones and a saw has been through a vertical turbine.

Entering the Flood Meadows, we continue to follow the By Brook towards Box to emerge at Box Mill, aka Pinchin’s Mill. Described as corn mill and malthouse in 1887, in 1864 it was part of the Box Brewery owned by Pinchins who, in that year, closed their Northgate Brewery at Pulteney Bridge. Bought from Spafax in 1987 by musician Peter Gabriel, it was converted into his internationally famous Real World recording studios.

On to Mill Lane, we take path above the Recreational Ground to then climb the slope up to Middle Hill with its superb view of the Western Portal of Box Tunnel.

The western portal of Box Tunnel is a Grade II* listed building designed in Classical style by I.K. Brunel, the 19th century British engineer. The GWR is the most complete early main line railway in the world. The railway tunnel opened in 1841 and at 1.83-mile, 2.95 km, the tunnel was the world’s longest railway tunnel when it was completed and led to the discovery of extensive beds of fine stone under Box Hill, resulting in greatly increased extraction and distribution.

On to Jamie’s Farm and the unique opportunity to meet staff and hear about the work done at the farm with inner-city youngsters. After the visit we retrace our steps back into Box to finally end the walk.