|
|
 |
|
Cricklade is the first town on the River Thames and is the southern
gateway to the Cotswold Water Park. The town has much to offer visitors
to the area including North Meadow, a 15 minute walk north west
of the town centre and Blakehill Nature Reserve on the site of the
former RAF Blakehill Farm.
North Meadow is a National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England
and is one of the finest examples of a hay meadow in Europe. It
is protected as a Special Area of Conservation and has something
to offer visitors to Cricklade all the year round. Blakehill Nature
Reserve is a short car journey to the south west of Cricklade where
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust are now carefully managing the land with
the goal of restoring the entire site to wildflower-rich status.
The countryside around Cricklade alone should be sufficient reason
to visit the area but in addition the town boasts 112 listed buildings
and has also been described as the best preserved example of a Saxon
new town. It should not be a surprise therefore when I mention that
the whole town has been designated as an area of Special Archaeological
Significance.
We are particularly proud to have been voted as the best small town
in the United Kingdom in the 2008 RHS Britain in Bloom competition.
It is no wonder that people return again and again to enjoy what
Cricklade has to offer.
David Tetlow Chairman, Cricklade Town Council
|
|
|
