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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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Number of results: 183
, currently showing 127 to 147.
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…
Bath
Follow the trail to find out about Jane Austen’s life around Sydney Gardens.
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…
PEWSEY
Ever wanted to learn about crop circles? Or wanted to meet crop circle enthusiasts to share thoughts with? Or find out about the latest news? If so, come to the Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre at the brand new Honeystreet Mill Café at…
Oxford
Walking and cycling tours fit for all the family.
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…
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
Devizes
English vineyard offering a range of red and white wines. Tours by arrangement. Tastings and walks round our 20 acre site.
Crofton, Marlborough
Crofton Pumping Station was built in 1807-9 to supply water to the highest point of the Kennet & Avon canal which links London and Bristol.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bath
Through conservation, education and museums, Bath Preservation Trust ensures the future success of our beautiful heritage city.
Bristol
Take a day outside of Bristol and spend a day with the Big Zoo Animals at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm home to Rhinos, Lions and Giraffes and now Elephants.
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Let us show you breathtaking scenery rich in history with our 8-16km tried and tested walks around Clifton Suspension Bridge, The Cotswolds,…
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.
Newbury
Internationally recognised theatre set in Bagnor, Newbury which hosts up to 220 people.
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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…
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.
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