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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.
New Forest Cycling Tours runs a variety of guided cycle rides in Wiltshire and beyond. Cycle…
Bath’s most Austen-tatious travel company - Expert Guided Tours of Jane Austen's Bath & unique…
Explore a gem of Britain’s industrial heritage in beautiful, rural Hampshire. Whitchurch Silk Mill…
Built in 1880 as a grain mill, Fisherton Mill is the south of England’s largest independent gallery…
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Conveniently located just off the A303, The Brush & Broom offers a warm welcome to all. Whether you…
Number of results: 184
, currently showing 127 to 147.
Chippenham
Ultimate motoring thrills for adrenaline junkies.
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.
Yeovil
The garden, complete with working kitchen garden and orchard, lies in the charming village of Tintinhull, Somerset.
Alton
Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire is the picturesque country cottage where Jane Austen lived. It is the most treasured Austen site in the world. It was here that Jane’s genius flourished and where she wrote, revised and had published all her…
Caversham
Thames Rivercruise is a family business based at the heart of the Upper Thames and cruise through some of the most stunning reaches of the Thames from Henley and Sonning up to Goring and Streatley.
Stapleton, Bristol
Glenside Hospital Museum is located within the grounds of the old hospital, it aims to inform, educate and de-stigmatise mental illness and learning difficulties.
Housed in the original hospital chapel, a Grade II listed building, Glenside Hospital…
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…
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.…
Wapping Road, BRISTOL
In 1497 John Cabot set sail from Bristol to find a new trade route to Asia. Instead, he arrived in Newfoundland and therefore became the original discoverer of North America. To celebrate the quincentenary of this voyage, a replica Matthew was built…
Tetbury
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum managed by Forestry England, is a remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees.
Oxford
Walking and cycling tours fit for all the family.
Newbury
Internationally recognised theatre set in Bagnor, Newbury which hosts up to 220 people.
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.
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…
Bradford on Avon
Wiltshire Music Centre is a purpose-built, 300-seat concert hall which attracts internationally-renowned musicians, including the City of London Sinfonia, jazz legend Courtney Pine and famed guitarist John Williams. It hosts more than 90 concerts a y
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 &…
Yattendon , Thatcham
West Berkshire Brewery is an independent brewery nestled in the heart of Berkshire with over 23 years of brewing experience. With our new state of the art brewery and packaging line we proudly produce traditional cask ales and innovative craft beers…
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.
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…
Bath
In the heart of the city, Thermae Bath Spa is an award-winning Natural Spa where you can now bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago.
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…
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