Soap, Cider and Sewers

In this walk, we will be exploring soap, cider and sewers, as well as other aspects of Thornbury’s industrial history.  The photo shows Thornbury’s sewers being dug – at an astonishingly late date!

Join us and find out about gas and gunpowder, tallow and tanning, cisterns and saltpetre, along with other old trades and industries.

This two-hour walk will start from the Museum and will be covering a wide area of the town, taking in the High Street, The Plain, Pullins Green and venturing into part of Streamside Walk, eventually returning to the High Street via Park Road and Castle Street.

A Load of Old Cobblers!

… and some butchers, bakers and candle-makers as well… that’s the theme of the first of our Summer Walks.

We’ll show you where everything from soap to saddles, beef to beer, and baskets to bonnets were made and sold in Thornbury in days gone by.

Wallpaper making, leather tanning and rope-making are some of the less well-known activities also carried out in the town.

There is even a link with the real tailor in Beatrix Potter’s Tailor of Gloucester story.

We start from the Museum in Chapel Street and the walk will last about one and a half to two hours, finishing in the High Street.

The walk is suitable for wheelchair users. No dogs, other than guide dogs, please.

Through the Keyhole: Who Lived Here?

On an evening in mid-July, museum volunteers will be leading a Thornbury town centre walk called ‘Through the Keyhole: Who Lived Here?’

In a gentle stroll, with many pauses, we will be telling the stories of many colourful characters who have lived and worked in our market town.

We start from the Museum in Chapel Street at 6.30pm and the walk will take one and a half to two hours.  No dogs please, except for guide dogs.

Tickets cost £3 for adults (free for accompanied children of 10 and over) and should be booked in advance from the Museum.

Thornbury’s Historic Borough Boundary

The borough of Thornbury was created in 1252 by Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Lord of the Manor of Thornbury.  This walk of approx. two and a half miles follows as closely as possible the line of this historic boundary, highlighting and describing the remaining physical features still visible today.

We suggest you wear sturdy footwear, since – as well as pavements – there are some field paths and stiles.  The walk could take up to three hours. We regret this route is not suitable for wheelchairs.  No dogs please, except for guide dogs.  The walk is not suitable for children under 16 years.

Free car-parking is available in the Rock St. car park.  We suggest you use the Long-Stay section.

We meet outside the museum in Chapel Street.

This walk is FREE and is being offered by the museum as a contribution to the national Heritage Weekend and as part of South Gloucestershire Council’s Discover Festival.  As places are limited, please see below for how to book your free place.