To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
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.
New Forest Cycling Tours runs a variety of guided cycle rides in Wiltshire and beyond. Cycle…
Bath’s most Austen-tatious travel company - Expert Guided Tours of Jane Austen's Bath & unique…
Explore a gem of Britain’s industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire. Whitchurch Silk Mill…
Built in 1880 as a grain mill, Fisherton Mill is the south of England’s largest independent gallery…
Nestled in the Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Warminster, just off the Great West Way, Langford…
Conveniently located just off the A303, The Brush & Broom offers a warm welcome to all. Whether you…
Number of results: 184
, currently showing 64 to 84.
Windsor
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, the family home of 39 British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.
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.
Salisbury
Homely and welcoming eighteenth-century townhouse with magnificent plasterwork, fine oak staircase, period furniture and important collection of drinking glasses. Tranquil walled garden.
Bath
Mad Max Tours operate small group day tours from Bath which explore highlights of Wiltshire. Includes Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock National Trust Village (film location in the Harry Potter movies) and Castle Combe in the Cotswolds.
Woking
Wisley is one of the world’s great gardens, packed with horticultural inspiration. Visit and find out more about this glorious garden in Surrey
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.
Salisbury
Southern Tour, experts in delivering bespoke driver-guided tours tailored to your individual itineraries.
Bristol
The world’s first Amazement Park®; Wake The Tiger is an art walk-through labyrinth exploring connection and innovation, inspiration and discovery.
Swindon
The Wyvern Theatre offers a mixed programme of concerts, comedy, dance, drama, musical theatre and local amateur productions. The theatre was opened by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip in September 1971.
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…
Chippenham
The Museum is housed in a fine 18th century grade II listed building. The displays tell the story of the historic market town from prehistoric times to the present day.
Chippenham Museum open: Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm
Bank Holidays except…
Come and ‘have a go’ at rowing at Henley – home to the world-famous Royal Regatta! From beginners to retired scullers, youngsters to pensioners: our coaches warmly invite you to a Rowing Experience that could change your life. All ages are welcome,…
Salisbury
Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm AKA Cholderton Charlie's is a Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) registered Rare Breeds Farm, and is part of the Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm Park experience. Offering a fantastic-value, fun filled family day out, suitable…
Bath
Follow the trail to find out about Jane Austen’s life around Sydney Gardens.
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!
Reading
Twelve hands-on galleries including Roman Silchester, changing art gallery, Box Room, Britain's Bayeux Tapestry and the world's only biscuit gallery, Huntley & Palmers.
Bracknell
Hire a bike and explore Swinley Forest on the green , blue and red trails fit for all the family.
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.
Woodstock
Receive a warm welcome into the home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Wonder at this masterpiece of 18th Century Baroque architecture, which houses some of the finest antique collections in…
Salisbury
Built in 1880 as a grain mill, Fisherton Mill is the south of England’s largest independent gallery with an award-winning onsite café & artist studios. Soon to celebrate 25 years under the ownership of Michael & Deborah Fox, it is a haven for…
Marlborough
One of the most important prehistoric archaeological collections in Britain. Includes National Trust's Barn Gallery - a gallery using interactive exhibits & CD-ROMs to tell the story of the landscape & its people over the past 6,000 years.
© Great West Way 2025.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
