We are situated a mile outside Calne in Wiltshire south of the M4 and close to the A4 just east of Chippenham – which has the local railway and coach station some 5 miles away. Bath is one stop further west.
Address
Ratford Retreat Centre, Bridge Cottage
Calne
Chippenham
SN11 9JX
Search “Ratford Retreat Centre” on Google maps
What3words ref: growl.toads.wriggle
Directions by Car
By car, both west London and south Birmingham are about 1 hour 45mins to 2 hours away. Bath is 30 minutes.
The scenic route, fast except during shopping times.
Take A4 to Hungerford, then Marlborough, then Calne. Go through Calne towards Chippenham still on A4;
100 yards after roundabout leaving Calne, look for turning to Bremhill/Ratford on the right. Take it and proceed for about half a mile until you reach a river bridge. The house is on the left. Note: the sat nav will stop you about 400 yards too soon.
Go over the bridge, turn left through the double gates (they open automatically if you drive close to them before 7pm – otherwise use the code 5153) and park immediately (not up the driveway).
Walk back towards house through the latch gate on the left alongside the river.
From the east or west, M4 junction 17
Further if coming from the east, but fast - avoid in very wet weather as sometimes floods.
Follow signs to Sutton Benger (first left at roundabout) – once in village (2 miles) take right turn after church – signposted to Langley Burrell/East Tytherton
Follow signs to East Tytherton (need to take left turn after about a mile and a half) and at T junction (no signpost) turn left.
Once in East Tytherton, turn right opposite Maud Heath school – signposted to Calne and Bremhill.
After about half a mile, climb steep hill – at the top turn right signed to Calne and Bremhill, and go straight all the way down the hill (about a mile), enter Ratford.
At the bottom of the hill, just after a red postbox on the right, turn right through double gates (they open automatically if you drive close to them before 7pm – otherwise use the code 5153) and park immediately (not up the driveway).
Walk back towards house through the latch gate on the left alongside the river.
From the east or west, M4 junction 16
Fine in the wet. Avoids Calne which can be busy during shopping times.
Take the A3102 to Royal Wootton Bassett, then Lyneham, then Goatacre.
On leaving Goatacre, go down longish hill, over small bridge, and take R to Foxham (easily missed).
Follow signs to Spirthill/Charlcutt.
After Charlcutt, take a left signposted to Bremhill, take a right at T junction (marked E Tytherton) – I think! – then after about a mile, steep hill - enter Ratford.
At the bottom of the hill, just after a red postbox on the right, turn right through double gates (they open automatically if you drive close to them before 7pm – otherwise use the code 5153) and park immediately (not up the driveway).
Walk back towards house through the latch gate on the left alongside the river.
From the south, via Chippenham
From Chippenham, take the A4 to Calne and turn left signposted Ratford/Bremhill just after the "Calne" sign - (if you reach a roundabout you have gone too far).
Proceed for about half a mile until you reach a river bridge. The house is on the left. Note: the sat nav will stop you about 400 yards too soon.
Go over the bridge, turn left through the double gates (they open automatically if you drive close to them before 7pm – otherwise use the code 5153) and park immediately (not up the driveway).
Walk back towards house through the latch gate on the left alongside the river.
Directions by Public Transport
There are half hourly trains from Bristol (25 minutes) and London (75 minutes) to Chippenham.
There are regular coaches from Bath and London – cheaper but take a bit longer.
From Chippenham to Ratford – 5 miles – there are taxis which cost £15-£20.