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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.
The Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon is a purpose-built, 300-seat concert hall hosting…
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Sally Narrowboats is now part of the Anglo Welsh group. Day boat hire Hire a boat for the…
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Number of results: 184
, currently showing 64 to 84.
Warminster
Longleat Safari Park, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture, and an abundance of exciting attractions including Jungle…
Salisbury
Experience the magic of Stonehenge on our Tour. Commentary in several languages available…
Salisbury
Homely and welcoming eighteenth-century townhouse with magnificent plasterwork, fine oak staircase, period furniture and important collection of drinking glasses. Tranquil walled garden.
Swindon
McArthurGlen's Swindon Designer Outlet lies within the beautifully renovated Grade II listed buildings of the Great Western Railway Works and is one of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe. 90 High St and Designer brands.
Hungerford
The rolling North Wessex Downs encompass some of England’s finest landscapes. The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was created in 1972 to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and tranquillity of these landscapes.
Salisbury
New Forest Cycling Tours runs a variety of guided cycle rides in Wiltshire and beyond.
Cycle back in time and explore some of Wiltshire’s fascinating heritage on two wheels with British Cycling accredited guide, Steve Edmed with tours that include…
Trowbridge
Parade House is a beautiful Grade 1 Listed Georgian townhouse offering visitors a unique Bridgerton style experience not to be missed!
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).
Chippenham
Ultimate motoring thrills for adrenaline junkies.
Old Sarum, Salisbury
Collection of aircraft, cockpits, replicas and models weapons and trials equipment to show the story of flight and flight test in the UK.
The cockpits are mostly open and you can sit in and use the controls.
Chippenham
The REME Museum displays the proud history of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Wherever in the world the Army serves, there you will find REME.
Alton
Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire is the picturesque country cottage where Jane Austen lived. It is the most treasured Austen site in the world. It was here that Jane’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised and had published all her…
Alton Priors
The Perpendicular tower of this lovely Medieval church dominates surrounding fields. It stands just across the stream from St Mary’s at Alton Barnes, and the churchyard yew tree is said to be 1700 years old!
Reading
You can also see the mill arch over the Holy Brook. This is the only remaining part of what was once the mill for Reading Abbey. The mill was in use until the twentieth century!
Charlton Mackrell, Somerton
This intimate medieval manor house, once the home of Tudor herbalist Henry Lyte, holds many delights, including a private chapel, an enchanting Arts and Crafts-style garden and a productive orchard.
London
Set in the heart of royal London, Wellington Arch was built as an original entrance to Buckingham Palace, later becoming a victory arch proclaiming Wellington's defeat of Napoleon.
Whitchurch
Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester and 60 miles from London. The Bombay Sapphire Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history.
The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry…
King Barrow, Amesbury
Did you know the famous stone circle is surrounded by other ancient monuments in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site? Enjoy a stroll through open access fields full of archaeology and wildlife – join a guided walk or download a walk leaflet
Montacute
This glittering golden mansion, adorned with chimneys and parapets, is a magnificent example of Elizabethan elegance. In the longest Long Gallery in England you’ll discover some famous faces from the past.
Bristol
Sulis Guides is a highly regarded guiding company, based in the beautiful city of Bath for over thirty years.
We provide high quality, experienced, multi-lingual Blue Badge guides for tailor-made car, coach and walking tours of the West Country and…
Bath
Follow the trail to find out about Jane Austen’s life around Sydney Gardens.
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