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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…
The world's first Amazement Park®; Wake the Tiger invites you to step through a portal into the…
Sally Narrowboats is now part of the Anglo Welsh group. Day boat hire Hire a boat for the…
Independent provider of cycle hire, tours and holidays for all ages and abilities Bike hire…
The Savill Garden is a 35-acre haven of gardens, woodland and seasonal displays. Commissioned…
Prior Park Landscape Garden is a beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden in Bath with…
Number of results: 184
, currently showing 106 to 126.
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.
Yeovil
The garden, complete with working kitchen garden and orchard, lies in the charming village of Tintinhull, Somerset.
Reading
We are a family run business, established in 1989. You are welcome to visit without obligation, and when you purchase from us we offer sound advice and support for as long as you need it.
Whether you are just starting out your your alpaca…
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.
Near Marlborough
Built in 1821, Wilton Windmill is the only working windmill in Wessex. Open Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter to end of September for guided tours and refreshments. Site open all year round. Picnic area.
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,…
Marlborough
The Merchant's House - a glorious restoration of a 17th century silk merchant's house. The 17th century style town garden is a hidden gem...
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…
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.
Marlborough
This extremely popular multi-generational learning experience will take place over four weeks during Summer.
Devizes
English vineyard offering a range of red and white wines. Tours by arrangement. Tastings and walks round our 20 acre site.
Old Windsor, Windsor
Large range of public trips on weather-proof vessels from Windsor, Runnymede and Maidenhead.
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…
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…
Iford, Near Bath
Breathtakingly pretty 18th-century manor surrounded by award-winning Italianate gardens.
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…
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.
Henley on Thames
The River & Rowing Museum is situated in the picturesque town of Henley on Thames and located on the banks of the river. It explores the River Thames, the international sport of rowing and the town of Henley. A calendar of events, exhibitions and…
Warminster
Chauffeur-driven car tours of England's South West in a luxury vehicle with a Blue Badge Guide ( England's most prestigious tourism qualification). Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Avebury, Salisbury Plain, Cranborne Chase. Specialist areas included…
Salisbury
Authentic experiences and escape rooms in one of Salisbury's oldest buildings...
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