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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.
Number of results: 182
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Bath
Step into the dark world of Mary Shelley and her most infamous creation, Frankenstein.
Bristol
Enjoy harbour tours and river trips with Bristol Packet Boat Trips with public timetabled trips and private hire available.
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.
Stourton, Warminster
Stourhead estate on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is the perfect day out for everyone. A breathtaking 18th century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples is only the beginning.
You can also visit Stourhead House, a…
Egham
The Savill Garden is a 35-acre haven of gardens, woodland and seasonal displays, commissioned by King George V and created by Eric Savill in 1932.
Marlborough
A community hub for the Arts and History hosting events, exhibitions and activities for its members, local residents and tourists.
Abbey Church Yard, Bath
Epicentre (and raison d'etre!) of the Heritage City.
Bath
On this self-guided podcast tour discover the stories and influence of Jane Austen in Bath.
Nr Cricklade
Owned by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the Lower Moor Farm complex is a landscape of fascinating contrasts, a mosaic of wetlands linked together by boardwalks, woodland and meadows. The meadows here have some of the finest displays of flowers in the UK.
Bristol
Step on board the most extraordinary time-machine. Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the world’s first great ocean liner, Bristol’s no.1 attraction and one of the UK’s top ten museums (TripAdvisor 2017-18).
Gloucester
Hello I’m Anne Bartlett, an experienced Cotswold based Blue Badge Tour Guide and Tour Director and I want to welcome you and your group to England’s Great West Way, one of the premier touring routes of the world. It brings together some of…
Corsham
Private day tours from Bath throughout the South West with your own guide in a luxury Mercedes V-Class vehicle.
Salisbury
Heritage & Stone Tours delivers private, expertly guided heritage tours throughout Southern England, specialising in Stonehenge and surrounding historic regions.
Marlborough
The finest brewery, distillery and smokehouse – in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside. The Ramsbury Estate, near Marlborough. Real ales, premium vodka, smoked foods – brewery shop and guided tours.
Bath
Journey through the history of America
Oxford
Explore the rich history of the Bodleian, University of Oxford and city of dreaming spires with our incredible guided tours.
Berkeley
Berkeley Castle is considered by many as a hidden gem; it was built in 1153 by the Berkeley family, who still live there. Over the centuries it has changed from a foreboding fortress to a welcoming family home.
Bradford on Avon
Anglowelsh offers a range of canal boat experiences on the Kennet & Avon Canal
Trowbridge
Parade House is a beautiful Grade 1 Listed Georgian townhouse offering visitors a unique Bridgerton style experience not to be missed!
Nr Lechlade
Visit Kelmscott Manor, the inspirational Cotswold retreat of William Morris, Father of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Bath
Bath’s most Austen-tatious travel company - Expert Guided Tours of Jane Austen's Bath & unique curated experiences.
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