Cricklade is the only Wiltshire town on the young River Thames. Although there had been earlier Iron Age trackways it was the Romans who built the first metalled road, Ermin Street, to cross the low flood plains.
The later walled Saxon town was built by Alfred the Great as a defence against the Danes and was important enough to produce its own coins. The wide High Street has some interesting speciality shops and a remarkable range of buildings dating from 13th century St Sampson's and mediaval St Mary's Churches and the Robert Jenner School of 1652.
The Thames Path National Trail passes through the town on its way to London. Nearby is the Cotswold Water Park, Britain's largest with 132 lakes, which offers peaceful walks and exciting water sports.
Ashton Keynes on the edge of the water park is a delightful village with the main street following the course of the young River Thames. Houses are reached by a series of attractive small footbridges and in the churchyard is an ancient "preaching cross".