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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.
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…
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Iford, Near Bath
Breathtakingly pretty 18th-century manor surrounded by award-winning Italianate gardens.
Yeovil
The garden, complete with working kitchen garden and orchard, lies in the charming village of Tintinhull, Somerset.
Bristol
They offer high spec tandems to hire, for you to explore the city, the region or even further. Discover the fun of riding a tandem for yourselves. Twice as nice.
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…
Stoke Bishop, Bristol
The University of Bristol Botanic Garden cultivates some 4,500 plant species from over 200 plant families within its five-acre site. This diversity of plants is unique and not found anywhere else in the Bristol area.
Special collections at the…
Bath
Experience critically acclaimed exhibitions of historical and contemporary
art and events against a backdrop of renowned eighteenth century portraits, Renaissance bronzes, ceramics, silver and embroidery. The Garden Café serves fresh seasonal…
Oldbury Tours provide bespoke guided tours of the prehistoric sites of Wiltshire including Stonehenge and Avebury for small groups of up to six. Tours are conducted by our local qualified guide in a 7 seat car. All tours individually tailored.
Marlborough
The pretty village of Avebury nestles within the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. Recognised for its globally important Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, here you’ll find the world’s largest stone circle, stone avenues and ancient…
Newbury
Newbury Racecourse is one of the most famous and prestigious horseracing venues in the UK, providing world class racing all-year-round and excellent facilities for conferences and events.
Bracknell
Hire a bike and explore Swinley Forest on the green , blue and red trails fit for all the family.
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…
Marlborough
This extremely popular multi-generational learning experience will take place over four weeks during Summer.
Caversham
Thames Rivercruise is a family business based at the heart of the Upper Thames and cruise through some of the most stunning reaches of the Thames from Henley and Sonning up to Goring and Streatley.
This is the only museum in the UK solely dedicate to arts and culture from East and South East Asia, with a collection of over 2,000 objects representing 7,000 years of artistry and craftsmanship. Just a few metres off The Circus in central Bath,…
Bath
Follow the trail to find out about Jane Austen’s life around Sydney Gardens.
SALISBURY
Nestled in the Wylye Valley between Salisbury and Warminster, just off the Great West Way, Langford Lakes nature reserve is an ideal place for bird watching. The four lakes and wet scrape provide a vital stopping off point and resident habitat for…
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
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.
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.
Henley-on-Thames
Enjoy the River Thames - from public cruises or self-drive and chauffeur-driven days out, to its newest boats, luxury Linnsen self-drive cruisers. Ideal for that special occasion or holiday. Charter by the weekend or the week. Discover Henley and…
Cheddar
Discover the heights of Somerset's famous Cheddar Gorge Cheddar Gorge is one of England's most iconic and spectacular landscapes. We are really proud to own the north side of this spectacular gorge and we hope that you will enjoy exploring it in a…
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