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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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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…
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,…
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…
Bradford on Avon
Based at Bradford on Avon Wharf, 400 yards from the town centre and only a few steps from the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust's Tea Room, the 65ft Barbara McLellan wide beam is perfectly suited for leisure passengers with 40 seated at tables and a fully…
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…
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.
Tetbury
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum managed by Forestry England, is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees.
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…
Windsor
The Changing of the Guard is one of the highlights of a visit to Windsor. A band usually accompanies the guard march, although this is subject to weather conditions.
Enjoy an authentic and indulgent experience of rural England. Away from crowds. With extensive local knowledge of Wiltshire and South West England our holidays and local trails will take you off the beaten track.
The Cotswold Lakes is an area of 40 square miles with more than 150 lakes set across the countryside of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire. Within the Cotswold Lakes a diverse range of businesses offer accommodation, leisure activities…
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.
The River Thames is the longest and most well-known river in England. It is navigable for 215 miles starting as a small trickle in the Cotswolds; flowing through nine English counties; right through the centre of London; past the Thames Barrier out…
Devizes
The Kennet and Avon Canal has 106 locks, six aqueducts, three tunnels, and hundreds of bridges, as well as miles of beautiful countryside and historic cities, towns and villages in between. The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust works to improve and…
Oxford
Salter's Steamers are a family firm that has provided first-class hospitality on the Royal River Thames for over 150 year (est 1858). As one of the longest established firms on the Thames we own one of the largest and most exclusive fleets operating…
Bradford on Avon
Week and day hire, skippered cruises and canoe hire.
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,…
Bristol
Arnos Vale Cemetery is a national heritage site in the heart of Bristol set within 45 acres of stunning woodland ecosystem.
As a popular community space it hosts a range of music and theatrical performances, alongside private parties and public…
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…
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.
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