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The village of Box is uniquely situated at a Gateway to the Cotswolds National Landscape, on the historic Great Western Railway line and Great West Way, stretching along the beautiful By Brook valley only 5 miles east of the World Heritage City of Bath. Located in the rural county of Wiltshire, Box offers a place to stay, visit, enjoy, and relax in stunning surroundings, allowing opportunity to step back in time through its cultural heritage.
The area has been settled since Neolithic times. Box Roman villa is a Scheduled Monument, and a Roman Road forms the southern boundary of the Parish. The Parish contains many buildings of national importance. Grade I and II*, of outstanding importance, such as Box and Middle Hill Tunnel Portals, Drewetts Mill, Hazelbury Manor, Rudloe Manor, and the Churches of St Thomas a Becket in Box and St Christopher’s Church in Ditteridge. Grade II, buildings include such properties as Box School and the Poynder Fountain. The Parish has four Conservation Areas, areas of special architectural and historic importance, at Box, Ditteridge, Middle Hill, and Ashley.
Historic Box Mill was bought by Peter Gabriel in the 1980s and converted into his international renowned Real World recording studios. Notable artists who have recorded at the studios include Robert Plant, Deep Purple, Harry Styles, Coldplay, and Tom Jones, and it is the headquarters of WOMAD.
Box is probably best known for its Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway tunnel and quarried stone. Views of Box Tunnel combine with his Road Bridge and magnificent Middle Hill Tunnel to celebrate a wonder of the Victorian age and one of the finest views of a historic railway line in the country.
Box also lays claims to being the birthplace of Thomas the Tank Engine as the popular children’s entertainment character was conceived by Rev. W.V Awdry when he lived in Box.
Hillside and underground quarries provided stone not only for the honey-coloured historic buildings in the area but fine country houses such as Longleat and Lacock Abbey, properties in Bath, London and exported around the world. A quarryman’s village grew up on Box Hill, the ‘Hill of Stone ‘, with stone yards, shops, cottages for workers, pubs, and Methodist Chapel. Box was famous for Box Ground Stone, a durable stone. http://www.boxpeopleandplaces.co.uk/ has a wealth of information on the village.
Box Recreation Ground offers a children’s playground, football ground, bowling green and tennis courts. It has thriving men’s and women’s cricket teams who play on the cricket pitch which WC Grace graced. A Rock Circus, a magnificent circle of rocks fossils and minerals, forms the centre piece of the village. Lovar Garden, adjacent, with its pond and bog garden is a haven for wildlife and a habitat for flora and fauna.
Kingsdown Golf Club, founded in 1880, is the second oldest Golf Club in the West of England (behind Westward Ho!) and a popular destination for golfers of all abilities.
The Parish has over 100 Public Rights of Way making it a hugely popular destination for people looking to explore the glorious English countryside. Long distance footpaths The MacMillan Way and Cross Cotswolds Path cross the Parish. The Box Heritage Trail a circular walk of 4.5 miles offers magnificent views of the By Brook Valley and details of quarrying, milling and Brunel’s Great Western Railway. Footpaths and bridleways pass through Commons, woods, and meadows, areas of significant habitat value for our native species of wildlife, which in some areas have been improved with tree and hedge planting. Box Common at the top of Box Hill is an example of one of the splendid viewpoints around the Parish.
A range of walking maps give details of the paths, suggested routes, and points of historical interest including https://corshamwalkingfestival.org.uk/heritage-trails/
A variety of pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops can be found in the area, with plenty of places to stay locally from cosy B&Bs to 5 Star hotels. The village has even got its own airfield!
Box Revels which takes place every end of May Bank holiday commenced life as a medieval celebration of the patronal day of St Thomas à Becket. Box Revels has had a lot of in-carnations since then and each year brings different themes and ideas, but the two purposes remain the same; to bring together the whole demographic of the village in fun and entertainment, and to raise funds for community groups and projects.
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Ralph Allen Drive, Bath
Prior Park Landscape Garden is a beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden in Bath with stunning views across the city.
Chippenham
A quirky country house and grounds, built on the foundations of a medieval nunnery, that celebrates the scientific genius of the inventor of the photographic negative.
Shalbourne
Wiltshire's first winery and world class visitor destination in an National Landscape producing premium red and rose wine.
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Elegant 17th century mansion with park land set in acres of rolling countryside.
Harbourside, Bristol
We The Curious removes boundaries around science - connecting art, people and ideas in a united culture of curiosity.
It’s Bristol harbourside venue offers over 250 hands-on activities, live science shows, collaborative experiments and the UK’s…
Devizes
The beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal (or K&A as its known) flows along 87 miles of the Great West Way. From Bath to Reading, it winds through quintessential rolling Wiltshire hills, bustling towns and even a World Heritage Site. Since 1810, narrowboats…
Bath
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Epic outdoor adventure experiences within the heart of Bath. Original Wild provide the highest quality activities in…
Bristol
With Concorde as its stunning star attraction, Aerospace Bristol takes you on a fantastic flight through history. From the earliest aeroplanes, through two World Wars, the Cold War and the space race - discover incredible feats of aviation and step…
Pontyclun
Explore the world of The Royal Mint’s 1100yrs of history and see what makes us an award winning destination.
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Uncover the story of Gloucestershire’s waterways at the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester. Discover the heart of the Gloucester Docks
Bath
Bath Mozartfest
8-16 November 2024
Annual world class classical music festival (15 concerts) in historic venues in Bath city centre
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Enjoy the countryside, local food, going for a walk. Learn of farming, folk-law, history, the countryside and gain confidence.
East Molesey
Hampton Court Palace is a tale of two palaces: a grand Tudor palace originally built by Cardinal Wolsey before being developed by Henry VIII. Dovetailing with the Tudor splendour is the Baroque palace designed by Sir Christopher Wren for William III…
Cholderton, Salisbury
The Signature Vineyard Walk & Wine Tasting is an in-depth and enjoyable experience with our wine and vineyard experts as you are guided through our vineyards and enjoy a tutored tasting of four wines.
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London
Join us for an intimate expert-led tour of our world-renowned collection at the National Gallery and explore over 700 years of wall-to-wall masterpieces.
Bristol
Enjoy harbour tours and river trips with Bristol Packet Boat Trips with public timetabled trips and private hire available.
Salisbury
Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome, and hospitality for over 800 years. Its Spire (the tallest in the country and a feat of medieval engineering) rises to a breath-taking 404ft/123m, guiding travelers, merchants, and pilgrims…
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Marlborough
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CHEDDAR
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Ascot
From the social whirl of Royal Ascot in June to 21 Ascot Racedays throughout the year there is something to suit every occasion and ensure a day to remember.
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