Places to Visit

Historic Houses

Take A Picnic

Basildon Park

This impressive Georgian mansion, surrounded by glorious parkland, was lovingly rescued from ruin by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid 1950s, when they restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings. They filled their comfortable new home with fine paintings, fabrics and furniture. There are waymarked trails through the historic parkland.

Distance 18 miles

Picnics have become deliciously sophisticated and it is a joy to open up the Brook Barn picnic basket and see lovely salads and coronation chicken or homemade herb mayonnaise with crudités

Click here to view our picnics

Ashdown House

Ashdown House is famous for its association with the sister of King Charles I, Elizabeth of Bohemia, known as 'The Winter Queen'. There are Spectacular rooftop views over the gardens and Berkshire Downs. There is also an Iron Age hill fort where King Alfred is thought to have battled the Danes. Open 3rd April to 30th October

Sample Dishes

Distance 10.3 miles

Homemade hot or cold soup
Homemade herb mayonnaise
Crudités
Free range boiled eggs
Spicy chicken drumsticks
Dews Meadow pork pies
Coronation chicken
Special Potato salad
Tomato and onion salad
Freshly made baguettes

Great Coxwell Barn

The Great Barn in Great Coxwell village is the sole surviving part of a thriving 13th-century grange that once provided vital income to Beaulieu Abbey. It is an impressive reminder of the skills of Gothic carpenters and the wealth and influence of the great monastic orders. William Morris, one of the Barn's most ardent admirers, called it “unapproachable in its dignity”

To Drink

A selection of soft drinks, home made lemonade or how about a chilled bottle of Chablis or Champagne.

Distance 10.3 miles

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace, home to 11th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, offers a memorable day out.

Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the exquisite Baroque Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, formal gardens and the magnificent Lake.

Distance 23.5 miles

Buscot Park

Buscot Park – Farringdon Neo-classical mansion with fine art and furniture collection, set in landscaped grounds. Renaissance to Pre-Raphaelite artwork and a lovely Italianate water garden with a walled garden.

Distance 9.3 miles

Gardens

Waterperry Gardens

Guaranteed to delight and inspire garden-lovers from across the country and the world. Founded by Beatrix Havergal more than seventy years ago as a School of Horticulture for Ladies, the gardens at Waterperry have evolved into an oasis of calm and beauty in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside.

Distance 25.9 miles

The Living Rainforest

On your visit, look out for free roaming lizards, birds and butterflies - you never know where they will appear next! See some of the world's most popular foods, from bananas to coffee, cocoa and ginger... as well as plants that have changed the way we live today. Plus... monkeys, a crocodile and much more.

Distance 23.6 miles

Museums

Museum of Oxford

Explore the wonders of Oxford’s long history at the Museum of Oxford. Before the first student took his first lesson at the University, saints walked here, kings were crowned here and parliaments debated here. Discover the city’s earliest residents, medieval crafts, Civil War stories, Oxford’s famous literary connections and the growth of the modern city.

Distance 19.4 miles

Tom Browns Museum

Standing on a corner of old sunken roads close by the churchyard in the village of Uffington, this tiny and unusual museum has an interesting history. It is housed in the 380 year-old schoolroom that featured in Thomas Hughes' book "Tom Brown's School Days". Hughes was born in Uffington, and many of the places described in the book are still visible today.

Distance 6 miles

Historic Sites

Uffington White Horse

The internationally-renowned Uffington White Horse can been seen for miles away leaping across the head of a dramatic dry valley in the Ridgeway escarpment.

Distance 6.5 miles

Uffington Castle

Crowning White Horse Hill is the Iron Age hillfort known as Uffington Castle. A simple design of one rampart and ditch the castle at 857ft (262m), it forms the highest point in Oxfordshire. The original west entrance remains, whilst smaller entrances through the south and north-east ramparts were created by the Romano-British during their occupation of the site.

Distance 6.5 miles

Wayland Smithy

A walk 2km west along the Ridgeway will lead you to the atmospheric Neolithic long barrow, Wayland Smithy. Dating from 5000 years ago, it is believed to have been the home of Saxon smith-god Wayland. Owned by English Heritage.

Distance 6.5 miles

Ghost Trails

Bill Spectres Oxford Ghost Trail

You are hereby cordially invited to join Bill Spectre on a tour of Oxford's ghosts. Illustrated with props and illusions, your costumed guide who is a professional actor and equity member, will entertain and horrify you through the streets of this most historical city. You may regret not bringing a camera.

Distance 19 miles

Organic Farms

Sheepdrove Organic Farm

Sheepdrove Organic Farm is the kind of place that inspires visitors, who leave with lots of ideas, after getting a feel for organic farming, and a taste of organic food! Book your Farm Tour through their conference centre, or contact the farm directly to discuss educational visits or projects.

Distance 7.7 miles

Oxford River Cruises

Cruising the tranquil Thames in Oxford offers a taste of a slower life, where cares drift away with the gentle flow of the water and life’s pleasures can be enjoyed to their utmost. Oxford River Cruises offers a range of boat trips, private charters and self drive boat hire to suit all tastes, from lazy lunchtime picnics and sunset dinner cruises, to corporate regattas and birthday parties afloat.