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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.
Number of results: 174
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Bristol
At the Lido you are invited to take time out and just do nothing.
The Lido is a cool, urban oasis tucked inside a courtyard of Georgian Terraces, nestled at the heart of historic Clifton, comprising of a spa, restaurant, outdoor heated pool, sauna,…
Hungerford
Recently refurbished, Herongate Club offers pool, spa, gym and fitness classes, providing top quality equipment and modern facilities - not just for fitness and training, but also to host meetings, events and performances.
Reading
The Thames Lido is an urban retreat open all year round offering spa days and swimming memberships along with a strong Spanish and Mediterranean feel restaurant and tapas bar.
Oxford
Walking and cycling tours fit for all the family.
Mere
Conveniently located just off the A303, The Brush & Broom offers a warm welcome, delicious locally sourced dishes, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Explore our on-site museum to discover the fascinating history of Hillbrush and the brush-making…
Bath
Tales and Trails of the Regency City of Bath, recounting fascinating stories of famous and infamous Visitors and Residents.
Near Somerton
A Taste of England Tours specialises in individually prepared tours for guests who want to explore the heritage, landscape and culture of Southern England and sample the wonderful local food of this region.
Whitchurch
The oldest working silk mill in the UK still in its original building. A gem of industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire, Whitchurch Silk Mill is a Georgian water mill that weaves silk using 19th century machinery.
Swindon
Get up close to magnificent locomotives, be a signalman in the GWR interactive Signal Box and drive the steam train simulator as you travel through STEAM’s story-telling displays!
STEAM tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and…
Devizes
Vaughan’s Cookery School in Devizes, Wiltshire offers a comprehensive range of classes that can be found on our website plus bespoke sessions for groups and corporate team building & away days. All are hands-on, creative and inspirational.…
Keynsham
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park is a perfect family day out whatever the weather.
Avon Valley is a place to meet animals of all shapes and sizes, including Shetland Ponies, Pigs, Goats, Donkeys, Rabbits, Snakes, Alpaca, Wallabies, Red &…
Bristol
Smoke & Mirrors is the UK's only Boutique Magic Theatre & Pub. They are situated in the heart of the theatre district. This little entertainment bar currently rated in the number 1 things to do in Bristol via TripAdvisor.
Bristol
Led by a knowledgeable guide, the tour commences in the venue barns with a presentation, followed by a vineyard walking tour, and concluding with a tasting session.
Tours last approximately 90 minutes, depending on group size.
Please…
Newbury
West Berkshire Museum is housed in two of Newbury’s best loved historic buildings - the 17th century Cloth Hall and the old Granary/Corn Stores in the Wharf. The permanent exhibition ‘Lives and Landscapes’ tells the story of West Berkshire. The…
Reading
Classical 18thC house by John Carr of York, with an unusual Octagon Room, fine plasterwork and the decorative Shell Room. Situated in 400 acres of parkland and woodland.
London
The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world, and today is home to eight million objects. Discover the vast diversity of human cultures from the dawn of human history to the present.
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
Bristol
The Wave is an inland-surfing destination where everyone can surf and bodyboard on consistent safe waves every day of the year. It brings surfing, nature and a fresh way of thinking to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities - from a child…
Henley-on-Thames
Home to the Stonor family for over 850 years, Stonor Park dominates a magnificent view of the beautiful deer park, woodland and 17th century gardens. Beyond the warm red brick Jacobean façade, a stroll through the house is a walk through history. …
Devizes
60 feet long canal boat for up to 45 passengers with a bar, refreshments and on-board toilet.
Henley On Thames
Barn Galleries is a family business founded in 1991 with our first exhibition, ARTSPACE.
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