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Facilities

Places to go

The Science Museum- Wroughton

The Science Museum at Wroughton is a Second World War maintenance airfield in Wiltshire and has been occupied by the Science Museum since the 1970s. Six original aircraft hangars house items from the science, engineering, transport and agricultural reserve collections. There is also a research store, built in 1993, which has a stable environment and is ideal for sensitive objects. These are working stores and, as such, are not open to the public except for pre-booked behind-the-scenes tours during the summer months and occasional special events.
Contact: 01793 846 200 www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/wroughton Science Museum at Wroughton, Wroughton, Swindon, SN4 9LT


Barbury Castle

Barbury Castle is at the top end of the farm, about 2 miles away.
The main focal points of the park are the Iron Age hill fort, covering about twelve acres, adjacent round barrows, Celtic field systems and 18th-19th Century flint workings. The West Saxons are said to have defeated the Britons here in AD 556 at the Battle of Beran Byrig. Centuries later the area was a favourite haunt of Richard Jefferies, the 19th Century writer, who lived an hour’s walk away at Coate. The site is scheduled as an ancient monument.


The White Horse

Wiltshire is the county for white horses. There are or were at least twenty-four of these hill figures in Britain, with no less than thirteen being in Wiltshire. Most of the white horses are chalk hill carvings, and the chalk downs of central Wiltshire make it an ideal place for such figures.

Of the thirteen white horses known to have existed in Wiltshire, eight are still visible, and the others have either been lost completely, or are in a sense still there, under the turf, but have long since become grown over and are no longer visible.
Contact: www.wiltshirewhitehorses.org.uk


Avebury – 10 minutes away

In the 1930s, the pretty village of Avebury, partially encompassed by the stone circle of this World Heritage site, was witness to the excavations of archaeologist Alexander Keiller. The fascinating finds from his excavations are on display in the 17th-century threshing barn and stables galleries of the Alexander Keiller Museum, where interactive displays and activities for children bring the landscape to life.
♣ Walk to the Bronze Age burial mounds at Windmill Hill.
♣ Visit the Lansdowne Monument and Iron Age earthwork of Oldbury.
♣ Discover Avebury's buried past secrets in the museum.

Cycling- Ridgeway National Trail through the property. This is shared with walkers. Dogs on leads are welcome.

Contact: 01672 539250 avebury@nationaltrust.org.uk National Trust Estate Office, High Street, Avebury, Wiltshire SN8 1RF

Silbury Hill
(Part of the Avebury World Heritage Site)

The largest man-made mound in Europe, mysterious Silbury Hill compares in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids. Probably completed in around 2400 BC, it apparently contains no burial. Though clearly important in itself, its purpose and significance remain unknown. There is no access to the hill itself.

Contact: www.avebury-web.co.uk/silbury_hill.html

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is probably the most important prehistoric monument in the
whole of Britain and has attracted visitors from earliest times. It stands as a timeless monument to the people who built it.
Visitors are unable to walk amongst the stones except on special or arranged occasions
There is a charge to visit the stones

Contact: www.stonehenge.co.uk


Steam: Museum of the Great Western Railway

STEAM tells the remarkable story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on 'God's Wonderful Railway'.
STEAM gives you the chance to experience the sights and sounds of the GWR works at Swindon - famous as the place where many of the best steam locomotives in the world were built.
STEAM also brings to life the exploits of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - the flamboyant engineer, and acknowledged genius, behind the creation of the GWR.
Contact: 01793 466646 Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2TA


Slimbridge Wetland Centre – 45 minute drive

This internationally protected wildlife reserve, situated on the banks of the River Severn, is home to thousands of migratory birds, wetland mammals, plants, amphibians, and insects. Slimbridge is a joy to visit throughout the year and hosts a programme of free daily walks and talks, plus events, workshops and spectacular wildlife encounters.
Contact: 01453 891 900 wwt.org.uk/slimbridge WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge, Glos, GL2 7BT

 

Westonbirt (The National Arbortetum) – 30 minute drive
Westonbirt is a wonderful place to visit all year round. During the summer flower lovers will find the beautiful hydrangeas in bloom and the Indian Bean Tree at its most dramatic. Take a relaxing walk and enjoy a picnic; or set the kids free to find our hidden dens or follow a trail. The autumn months bring an array of wonderful colours in the trees. Winter is truly magical at Westonbirt. Conifers provide a sculptured backdrop to the deciduous trees and smaller shrubs, whilst unexpected colour can be found from flaming red barked dogwood and scarlet willows. The rich combination of woodland plants and wildflower brings a vibrant beauty in spring.
Contact: 01666 880 220 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Westonbirt, Tetbury, Glos, GL8 8QS

Bowood House

Purchased by the 1st Earl of Shelburne (1705–1761) in the mid 18th century, Bowood House and Gardens have been improved by successive generations up to the present day. Many famous architects and garden designers have been employed, including Henry Keene, Robert and James Adam, ‘Capability’ Brown, C.R. Cockerell and Sir Charles Barry. A visitor to Bowood today will see fine 18th-century architecture and splendid interiors: the Adam Orangery, the Chapel and Library by C.R. Cockerell, the New Hall, the Sculpture Gallery and the Laboratory where Dr Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen in 1774. There is also a series of exhibition rooms with a wealth of fine furniture, costumes, pocelain, jewellery and paintings on display. Outside, the house is surrounded by ‘Capability’ Brown’s stunning park; there are magnificent formal gardens, a ‘Picturesque’ rockwork garden; and the renowned pinetum and arboretum.
Contact: 01249 812 102 www.bowood-house.co.uk
Bowood, Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 0LZ


Lacock Abbey

Lacock village is famous for its picturesque streets, historic buildings and more recently as a TV and film location. The Abbey, located at the heart of the village within its own woodland grounds, is a quirky country house of various architectural styles, built upon the foundations of a former nunnery. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of the medieval rooms and cloister court, giving a sense of the Abbey's monastic past. The museum celebrates the achievements of former Lacock resident, William Henry Fox Talbot, famous for his contributions to the invention of photography.

Contact:01249 730 459 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lacockabbeyvillage
Lacock Abbey, Lacock, Near Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2LG

Marlborough

Marlborough is the archetypical English market town – a place where coins were minted in Norman times, Tudor kings hunted for deer and where coaches heading west from London stopped to feed and water their horses.
Marlborough still is a town with a big buzz. The High Street hosts a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays selling a wide range of things, from locally grown produce, to pots, plants and pashminas. Marlborough has plenty of shops and a variety of places to eat.

 

Things to do

Basset Down Golf Course and Driving Range – 5 minutes drive

A privately owned, public golf course and 20 bay driving range. This 9 hole, 2767 yard course is less than a mile from Junction 16 of the M4 and 1.5 miles from the A4361. Open 7 days a week throughout the year.
Contact: 01793 812 336 www.bassetdowngolfcourse.com
Lower Salthrop, Basset Down, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 9QW

Go-Karting- 2 Minute drive from Overtown

The indoor 530 metre tarmac circuit offers drivers some of the most exhilarating bends and speed friendly straights in the country. The state-of-the-art Bowman karts, with four stoke engines; ensure that you reach some breathtaking speeds! Test your driving skills to very limit. Helmets and overalls are provided, so all you need to worry about is making sure your driving abilities can reach the standards of Fernando Alonso! The circuit is open - Mon to Fri from 11am to 10pm. Sat&Sun 10am to 10pm
Contact: 0844 745 5006 www.goballistic.co.uk/karting


Clay Pigeon Shooting (Barbury Shooting School) – 2 minute drive from Overtown

Barbury Shooting School is open 7 days a week for Practice, Tuition, Parties and Corporate events.
Contact: 07872 666 154 www.barburyshootingschool.com
Barbury Shooting School,Near Barbury Castle, Wroughton, Swindon, Wilts, SN4 0QH


Swindon Designer Outlet – 5 minutes away

Swindon Designer Outlet is housed in the magnificently renovated grade II listed buildings of the Great Western Railway Works and is one of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe.
Located off junction 16 of the M4
Contact: 0 1793 507 600
Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2DY

Cotswold Water Park – 20 minutes away

The Cotswold Water Park is an area of 140 lakes, set in 40 square miles of countryside.
From country parks, angling lakes, sailing clubs, water sports, picturesque villages to campsites, hotels, country inns and much more there is plenty for everyone to explore!
For more information about the Cotswold Water Park, please call 01793 752413, or email
info@waterpark.org www.waterpark.orginfo@waterpark.org.


Cinema – 10 minutes away
Empire Cinema- Swindon
Contact: 08714 714 714 www.empirecinemas.co.uk
Greenbridge Leisure Park, Swindonwww.empirecinemas.co.uk

If you would like any further information on any of the ‘places to visit ‘and ‘things to do’ please don’t hesitate to ask us.


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