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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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Number of results: 183
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Reading
The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) is England’s most extensive museum dedicated to farming, food, craft, rural life and countryside issues.
West End, Bristol
Visit Bristol Cathedral as part of your trip along the Great West Way.
Bristol’s beautiful and historic Cathedral is located on College Green in the West End of the city. A church has almost certainly stood on the site for over a thousand years,…
DEVIZES
On the Kennet & Avon Canal you will find beauty, history and nature. Tap into its stillness, enjoy a gentle adventure, share your boating stories at canal side cafes or pubs, and live in a space where time moves no faster than a stroll.
Windsor
Windsor Carriages offers guests something few ever experience: a curated journey through Royal Windsor, hosted by a team with over 170 years of estate knowledge and carriage expertise.
Marlborough
This extremely popular multi-generational learning experience will take place over four weeks during Summer.
Corsham
The Pound arts centre, run by local charity Pound Arts, is the hub of Corsham’s arts offering, with three annual seasons of professional performances, film, participatory arts events and exhibitions.
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.
Iford, Near Bath
Breathtakingly pretty 18th-century manor surrounded by award-winning Italianate gardens.
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…
Yeovil
The garden, complete with working kitchen garden and orchard, lies in the charming village of Tintinhull, Somerset.
Calne
Motor museum with vintage, post-vintage and classic cars, including American models. The Museum also houses an impressive collection of Lorries, Motorcycles, Mopeds, Push bikes, a large selection of vehicle manuals and other archive material.
Ilminster
Echoes of the past haunt this now empty Tudor manor house, which was so beautifully restored by Colonel Lyle in the 1920s. Outside, what were once cow yards, pens and fields are now walled garden ‘rooms’ filled with flowers.
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…
Henley-on-Thames
Closed for 2009.
Home and gardens of Lord Nuffield founder of Morris Motors and benefactor to medicine, education and social welfare. Set high in the Chilterns. A day out for all the family.
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.
Twickenham
Strawberry Hill House & Garden has been open to visitors for over 250 years. Created by Horace Walpole in the 18th century, Strawberry Hill is internationally famous as Britain's finest example of Georgian Gothic revival architecture.
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,…
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
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…
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.
Chippenham
Ultimate motoring thrills for adrenaline junkies.
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