This circular walk begins in the small village of Ford where we join the By Brook river and begin our walk, following the river, to the village at Slaughterford that has a 15th century church, weavers cottages dating back to the 16th century and an old brewery from the 18th century.

From Slaughterford we join public footpaths and a short section of road to Biddestone, first recorded in the Doomsday Book in 1086 and hosting a 12th century church, 17th century Manor House and other buildings set around a splendid duck pond. The village was used as a set for the Agatha Raisin Quiche of Death TV film in 2014 and the Christmas Candle film in 2013.

We then leave Biddestone heading south west to our next village of Colerne that sits on a hill 545 feet (166 m) above sea level with magnificent views overlooking the Box valley with Bath to the west. The area around Colerne has been inhabited since the Iron Age around 100BC at Bury Wood Camp with a 2nd century Roman Villa, first excavated in 1854, situated on the site of the old RAF Colerne airfield, ½ mile from the Fosse Way. The village dates to the 14th century with many houses built in the 18th century following a large fire in 1774.

From Colerne we pass through Thickwood on our way to North Wraxall that had 32 households recorded in the Doomsday Book and is now home to a population of around 350 people. On the road through North Wraxall we will pass the old School House and the Village Lock Up used to house petty criminals up until the mid 19th century.

The next leg of the walk takes us past Truckle Hill, the site of a Roman Villa from the 2nd century, on our way to the last village on our walk, Castle Combe. Just before reaching Castle Combe, we cross the Manor House Golf Course where the Broadmead and Burton Brooks combine to form the By Brook river that we followed at the beginning of our journey on leaving Ford. Castle Combe, as the name implies, was once home to a 12th century castle of which only the earthworks and bits of masonry remain. The main village dates to the 14th century with the Market Cross at the centre where the 3 main streets of the village converge. Once named the prettiest village in England, Castle Combe has been the location for many period films and television shows including Dr Dolittle, Stardust, War Horse, and TV episodes of Poirot.

Walking out of Castle Combe next to the By Brook we track the river to Long Dean passing a mill with a distinctive Dutch roof line bult by Flemish Weavers who first came to England in the 14th century attracted by the wool industry in the area. The walk from Long Dean takes us back to our start point at Ford where the White Hart public house waits for those who would like to finish the day with some well-earned refreshments.

Bring a packed lunch/water however, there are shops in Colerne for drinks and snacks around the halfway point.