Maud Heath

Maud Heath was a rather extraordinary woman, a widow of considerable means and unusual independence who lived near Chippenham in the 15th century. She bequeathed the income from her land and tenements to build and maintain a causeway from the top of Wick Hill, via East Tytherton and Kellaways to Chippenham, so that local villagers could reach the market there on dry land. Six-hundred years later the causeway is still in use and is commemorated by plaques and monuments erected by grateful descendants along the way.

This monument shows Maud Heath, with a shopping basket by her side, at the start of her track at the top of Wick Hill, above Bremhill Wick, beside Monument Farm, surveying the view towards Chippenham.

You can read more about her here.