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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.
Queen Victoria was new to the throne when Arnos Vale opened in 1839. Arnos Vale was to be a garden…
Conveniently located just off the A303, The Brush & Broom offers a warm welcome to all. Whether you…
Shires Yard (formerly Milsom Place) is located at the heart of fashionable Milsom Street, set…
Discover award winning, and sustainable real ales and spirits. Crafted from the land around us, we…
See gold from the time of Stonehenge! Wiltshire Museum is home to the best Bronze Age archaeology…
Curated Visits Steeped in British Elegance Windsor Carriages creates privately hosted visits…
Number of results: 184
, currently showing 106 to 126.
Iford, Near Bath
Breathtakingly pretty 18th-century manor surrounded by award-winning Italianate gardens.
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…
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.
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.
TWICKENHAM
Sandycombe Lodge was built by 1813 to the designs of England’s great landscape painter, J.M.W. Turner; working here as his own architect to create a quiet retreat for himself, away from the pressures of the London art world. It also provided a home…
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!
Devizes
English vineyard offering a range of red and white wines. Tours by arrangement. Tastings and walks round our 20 acre site.
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…
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…
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
Authentic experiences and escape rooms in one of Salisbury's oldest buildings...
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Bracknell
Hire a bike and explore Swinley Forest on the green , blue and red trails fit for all the family.
Netheravon
Enjoy a thrilling view of Wiltshire with a tandem parachute jump at Skydive Netheravon. With modern aircraft and state of the art equipment, our fully qualified instructors will fly you into the skies on your parachuting adventure.
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