A. Follow the towpath of the Kennet & Avon canal westwards towards Burbage. The towpath takes you directly into the Wolfhall estate, and you will soon see the first of two disused railway lines on your left. Both railway lines once belonged to the Midland and South Western Junction Railway. The first line opened in 1882, the second in 1898; both were closed in 1961.
This section of the canal created several problems for the builders. Situated at the highest point above sea level, constant operation of the canal locks drained the canal basin. The summit of the canal was 12 meters higher than available local water. The solution was to install steam engines at Crofton which would pump water from a new reservoir along a small feeder channel to the main canal.
There is a large pond by the bridleway, which is difficult to see in summer as it is surrounded by trees. It is fed by a small stream, which passes by Wolfhall farmhouse, and flows beyond the pond unseen into the canal.
Continuing up the hill there is a house on the left, rebuilt in 1984. There used to be several cottages along this road, but now they have all gone. At the brow of the hill, you arrive at Wolfhall manor. Today it is not very impressive. A hundred years ago you would have entered the courtyard of the manor through an archway, but this now lays under the tarmac of a modern road. The manor is dominated by large modern utilitarian milking sheds on you left hand side. Take a moment to follow the road past the sheds and you will now see the inside of what used to be the Great Court. It is a rather depressing sight, with rubble, litter, and abandoned or ruined buildings.
E. Where the road bends sharply to the left is the original exit from the courtyard towards Crofton and Freewarren farm. A small open concrete barn occupies part of the site of the famous Great barn, which would have been three or four times longer, and twice as wide as the modern building.
Barely distinguishable, there is a raised carriage way in the court yard, where carriages one swept around to pick up or drop of their passengers at the manor house. Of this house there is little sign. It is still a large house, but very difficult to see behind outbuildings and large trees.
F. Return to the road and retrace your steps to the bridleway. From here, follow the road westwards past the hidden frontage of the manor house towards Burbage. On you right, there is a view of pasture fields, and if you are lucky, the chimneys of Wolfhall farm rising above the summer nettles. The fields were once arable, and in the medieval period were probably part of Clay field.
G. Continuing along the road, you meet not only the field boundary, but also the estate boundary with Burbage. Here leave the road on your left over a stile, and follow a footpath southwards to West Grafton. The footpath meets a bridleway, sometimes known as East Sands road. Turn left on to this bridleway and follow it to Suddene farm. You will feel on top of the world, as you now walking on highest land at Wolfhall. Although the long distance views are good, what is curious is that so much of the Wolfhall estate is hidden. As you approach Suddene farm, notice on your left the tree lined avenue. This is the only road entrance to the farm; it starts about a hundred yards from Wolfhall manor.
H. Suddene farm was created in the early 17th century. In the Tudor period the farmhouse was a hunting lodge. Today the farmland is arable, but then a combination of pasture and heath land supported a small population of deer. If you are keen, there is a camping and caravan site at the farm. The campsite has limited facilities, but some of the best views in the country.
Carefully trace your route through the farm southwards to join another bridleway, which leads to Station farm near West Grafton. As you leave Suddene farm, you ma notice a large pond in front of the farmhouse.
I. The bridle way descends down a steep slope followed by an equally steep ascent to a small ridge. As you cross a field boundary on this ridge, you leave the Wolfhall estate and enter the land of West Grafton. Follow the bridle almost to the main road.
J. Take the bridleway from the road which leads to Dark Lane. This descends gently down a valley which leads to Wilton water and the Bedwyn stream at Crofton. Parts of the route can be muddy and overgrown. You will pass what used to be the heathland of Grafton, and which in the 14th century formed part of Grafton park, licenced to Sir Richard Havering of East Grafton manor by King Edward III.
K. At the end of the bridleway, you will join a tarmaced Dark lane. Unfortunately there is no right of way to contunue to Wilton water. Look south along this lane to see a perfect Hollow way. Your way now leads north along the road, past Freewarren farm, back to Crofton.
This section of the canal created several problems for the builders. Situated at the highest point above sea level, constant operation of the canal locks drained the canal basin. The summit of the canal was 12 meters higher than available local water. The solution was to install steam engines at Crofton which would pump water from a new reservoir along a small feeder channel to the main canal.
You will see the feeder channel on the far bank of the canal. Shortly afterwards you will cross the second disused railway line. Continue along the canal until Wolfhall bridge.
B. From the bridge, take a short walk across the bridge and follow the bridleway over the railway bridge.
C. From here you will get a good view of the land of Wolfhall as it sweeps up to the plateau beyond Langfield copse where Tottenham house lies. This land is now part of Wolfhall farm. In the late medieval period, the bridleway provided access to the hunting lodge at Tottenham.
D. Return over the bridges and follow the bridleway up the hill to Wolfhall manor. On you left you will see pasture land and on the skyline, the modern milking sheds of Wolfhall farm. This land was part of the Laundry farm in the 17th century. On you right, you see the former Laundry farmhouse, now Wolfhall farm, which is set back from the road. It appears through an sunless avenue of trees. There is no right of way here. It is a rather gloomy approach to such a fine house. The house with its tall chimneys is very distinctive.
B. From the bridge, take a short walk across the bridge and follow the bridleway over the railway bridge.
C. From here you will get a good view of the land of Wolfhall as it sweeps up to the plateau beyond Langfield copse where Tottenham house lies. This land is now part of Wolfhall farm. In the late medieval period, the bridleway provided access to the hunting lodge at Tottenham.
D. Return over the bridges and follow the bridleway up the hill to Wolfhall manor. On you left you will see pasture land and on the skyline, the modern milking sheds of Wolfhall farm. This land was part of the Laundry farm in the 17th century. On you right, you see the former Laundry farmhouse, now Wolfhall farm, which is set back from the road. It appears through an sunless avenue of trees. There is no right of way here. It is a rather gloomy approach to such a fine house. The house with its tall chimneys is very distinctive.
There is a large pond by the bridleway, which is difficult to see in summer as it is surrounded by trees. It is fed by a small stream, which passes by Wolfhall farmhouse, and flows beyond the pond unseen into the canal.
Continuing up the hill there is a house on the left, rebuilt in 1984. There used to be several cottages along this road, but now they have all gone. At the brow of the hill, you arrive at Wolfhall manor. Today it is not very impressive. A hundred years ago you would have entered the courtyard of the manor through an archway, but this now lays under the tarmac of a modern road. The manor is dominated by large modern utilitarian milking sheds on you left hand side. Take a moment to follow the road past the sheds and you will now see the inside of what used to be the Great Court. It is a rather depressing sight, with rubble, litter, and abandoned or ruined buildings.
E. Where the road bends sharply to the left is the original exit from the courtyard towards Crofton and Freewarren farm. A small open concrete barn occupies part of the site of the famous Great barn, which would have been three or four times longer, and twice as wide as the modern building.
Barely distinguishable, there is a raised carriage way in the court yard, where carriages one swept around to pick up or drop of their passengers at the manor house. Of this house there is little sign. It is still a large house, but very difficult to see behind outbuildings and large trees.
F. Return to the road and retrace your steps to the bridleway. From here, follow the road westwards past the hidden frontage of the manor house towards Burbage. On you right, there is a view of pasture fields, and if you are lucky, the chimneys of Wolfhall farm rising above the summer nettles. The fields were once arable, and in the medieval period were probably part of Clay field.
G. Continuing along the road, you meet not only the field boundary, but also the estate boundary with Burbage. Here leave the road on your left over a stile, and follow a footpath southwards to West Grafton. The footpath meets a bridleway, sometimes known as East Sands road. Turn left on to this bridleway and follow it to Suddene farm. You will feel on top of the world, as you now walking on highest land at Wolfhall. Although the long distance views are good, what is curious is that so much of the Wolfhall estate is hidden. As you approach Suddene farm, notice on your left the tree lined avenue. This is the only road entrance to the farm; it starts about a hundred yards from Wolfhall manor.
H. Suddene farm was created in the early 17th century. In the Tudor period the farmhouse was a hunting lodge. Today the farmland is arable, but then a combination of pasture and heath land supported a small population of deer. If you are keen, there is a camping and caravan site at the farm. The campsite has limited facilities, but some of the best views in the country.
Carefully trace your route through the farm southwards to join another bridleway, which leads to Station farm near West Grafton. As you leave Suddene farm, you ma notice a large pond in front of the farmhouse.
I. The bridle way descends down a steep slope followed by an equally steep ascent to a small ridge. As you cross a field boundary on this ridge, you leave the Wolfhall estate and enter the land of West Grafton. Follow the bridle almost to the main road.
J. Take the bridleway from the road which leads to Dark Lane. This descends gently down a valley which leads to Wilton water and the Bedwyn stream at Crofton. Parts of the route can be muddy and overgrown. You will pass what used to be the heathland of Grafton, and which in the 14th century formed part of Grafton park, licenced to Sir Richard Havering of East Grafton manor by King Edward III.
K. At the end of the bridleway, you will join a tarmaced Dark lane. Unfortunately there is no right of way to contunue to Wilton water. Look south along this lane to see a perfect Hollow way. Your way now leads north along the road, past Freewarren farm, back to Crofton.