Avoncliff – The Secret History of an Industrial Hamlet in War and Peace

August 30, 2025August 16, 2011 by Editor

By Nick McCamley A thoroughly researched, well written and truly fascinating account of this diminutive Wiltshire community situated on the River Avon, Kennet and Avon Canal and Railway between Bradford on Avon and Bath. Particularly strong on social and industrial history.

Roberta Sisson on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “I lived there between 1973 and 1975 with my partner Kevin and ‘one well behaved cat’ Dunston had this written…” Apr 2, 07:49
Ben Taylor on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “We accidentally got back 14 mins over our paid time and got a £60 fine – car park is camera…” Sep 6, 10:54
Max on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “Just been hit with a parking fine of £60, even though I paid for a ticket for 2 hours and…” Sep 1, 17:09
Paul Zakary on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “I lived there as a student in 1985. It was lovely but bloody freezing. All these years later I need…” Jun 5, 21:21
John Lindsey on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “Paidthe £60 as I cannot afford to risk the cost going up further. So £63.50 for 1 hour 56 minutes.…” Jan 12, 23:21
John Lindsey on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “So were we. Did you contest it and if so how did you get on? We paid for two hours…” Jan 10, 14:53
John Lindsey on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “Have just been hit by a £60 fine for parking here. This will rise to £100 or more if I…” Dec 30, 17:26
Tom Jenkins on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “Do not use this carpark. I paid for a ticket and was then wrongly pursued for not having a ticket.” Aug 29, 09:36
Julian on Avoncliff Halt – A HALT NO MORE: “Fascinating piece of local history. It’s my first time on the K&A canal and I’m moored nearby, I was just…” Dec 10, 17:53
Geoff Andrews on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “The census reports of the Avoncliff workhouse are available as a special document (because it was an institution). Frank Stanbrook…” Nov 22, 17:08
Vivian Copper on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “I was surprised just how expensive it is. We now go to Hartley Farm Tearoom which offers its customers free…” May 26, 10:29
Bob Fisher on Avoncliff Private Car Park. Expensive, fines.: “Why was £10,000 of local taxpayers money given to a private resident / landowner on the premise of a carpark…” Nov 30, 17:50
Hilary Vogel on Avoncliff Mills: “I am interested in Weavers Mill as my father bought it in derelict condition about 1947/48. He made living accommodation…” May 24, 09:30
Lym Fraser on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “I visited the Bradford-on-Avon museum in 2015 and found no records of Avoncliff as a workhouse. My grandfather Frank Stanbrook…” May 7, 13:59
Alan Dell on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Re. The Old Court – Dell family. Just a short comment regarding two of my nephews comments regarding ‘Buds of…” Nov 8, 11:11
lisa ebdon on Avoncliff Mills: “My parents John and Betty Bowles lived in Weaver Mill and totally renovated it into the beautiful house it is…” Oct 14, 12:03
Joan Gooding on Avoncliff Mills: “Do you have any record of the Riordan family living in the mill on the Winsley side during the 1950s?” Aug 2, 15:10
Martin Heyes on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “My cousin Steve’s mum, Gwen, died very recently. Such is life.” Jun 4, 07:51
Dr Trevor Turpin on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “hello Steve I have lived in the Square for over 30 years and, at the request of Anthony Dunsdon, who…” Jan 8, 13:51
Martin Heyes on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Karen, the County Archives held in Chippenham may hold some information which you are seeking. Also, please consider a visit…” Jan 24, 19:16
Martin Heyes on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Karen, you could do a lot worse than try the museum in Bradford-on-Avon; they may well have material relating to…” Oct 10, 02:34
Martin Heyes on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Karen, you could try contacting the Museum in Bradford-on-Avon. They may be able to supply you with some information from…” Oct 10, 01:54
Karen Beckwith on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Does anyone know if there are any records available for 1886-1888 when it was the Workhouse? I am trying to…” Aug 6, 17:26
Judith Irvine on Avoncliff Halt – A HALT NO MORE: “April 19, 2015 I was doing an online jigsaw puzzle of an Avoncliff scene and decided to Google Avoncliff. It…” Apr 20, 02:08
Steve Cooper on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “I agree totally with Martin who is my cousin – I lived at the Old Court from 1956. The plans…” Feb 16, 15:22
Phil Palmer on Avoncliff Halt – A HALT NO MORE: “The train stopped there today. I thought how lovely it looked & looked up A.H. on the internet when I…” Mar 28, 16:16
Martin Heyes on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Sorry to disillusion you Charles, but my grandparents (William and Win Dell) were NOT the Inspiration for the “Darling Buds…” Jul 8, 13:34
Charles Young on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “But what Martin Heyes didn’t say is that his grandparents, William and Win Dell, were the inspiration for Ma and…” Jul 2, 21:42
admin on Avoncliff Mills: “Hi John. I don’t have any documents / deeds. Sorry i cant help.” Jun 21, 08:54
Judge John Merrick on Avoncliff Mills: “My Great Great Grandfather, William Merrick, (1806 -1876) Attorney and Solicitor with Messrs Timbrell and Merrick, owned a mill at…” Jun 20, 17:01
marianna on Photos: “I love this Avoncliff tradition, we have a lovely community that is very hard to find these days. Proud to…” Jan 18, 18:26
Karen E. Sindberg on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Hi Martin, I enjoyed reading about your Mom whose father bought the Old Court Hotel. My Mom lived at Old…” Aug 4, 20:39
Martin Heyes on The Old Court Hotel (Known now as Ancliff Square): “Interesting article. My mother is Margaret (née Dell) eldest daughter of William Dell who bought the Old Court and converted…” May 19, 01:15
Irene on Avoncliff Halt – A HALT NO MORE: “Enjoyed reading about the Avoncliff railway station. I’m sure others have read it and enjoyed it just as much as…” Sep 11, 13:39
Rich on Avoncliff Halt – A HALT NO MORE: “Thanks Trevor. Its a great article.” Aug 16, 14:59