Starting at the Village Green and Duck Pond. The pond created by William Mountjoy in about 1661. The spring that feeds the pond never goes dry is fed by a brook called the Wavering.

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.

Turning into Church Road we pass the Turnpike Cottage and the Wellhead and Village Pump that was in use until 1955 when mains water reached the village. Passing St. Nicholas’ Church of Norman origin with its bell-shaped spire.

Leaving the village by the quite Challows and Ham Lane we enter a field path on the right to go towards Backpack Woods on the left and the site of the disused Cloud Quarry. The descent into Slaughterford give one of the best views of the Village and the surrounding By Brook valley.

Passing through Slaughterford Mill. The mill was a fulling mill until 1790 when it was converted to a paper mill in 1805 by the new owners. The mill was closed in 1994.

We then pass the Rag Mill with the Old Brewery in the background. The mill, demolished in 1994, processed rags into individual fibres or ‘stuff’ which was then transported to the Slaughterford Mill to produce paper.

We follow the By Brook upstream along the flood meadow towards Ford.

The By Brook is some 12 miles long and its sources are the Broadmead Brook and Burton Brook that join at Castle Combe. The By Brook is joined by the Doncombe Brook at Ford before reaching the Bristol Avon at Bathford. Once home to 20 watermill sites starting in Roman times for grinding corn, by the end of the 12th Century the mills were converted to wool fulling and then from the 18th Century until the 20th Century used for paper production.

Crossing the A420 at Ford, we go up through Danks Down Wood to enter the fields where we follow the MacMillan Way down into Long Dean passing several former mills.

After lunch, we head out of North Dean to pass through the Nature Reserve at West Yatton Down to enter Yatton Keynell, passing the old Manor House.

Passing by St. Margaret’s Church and the Community Centre we head across fields to cross the A420 once more and then onto the start point at The Green

Bring picnic lunch and water.