Here are just a few suggestions for days out but there is SO much more to see and do than we can fit here! You’ll find lots of information in your apartment, so you can plan days out once you have arrived and settled in.
GROW YOUR HORTICULTURAL SKILLS!
As an adjunct to her work at the nursery, Sonia Wright is often asked by customers how to achieve certain horticultural skills. She runs regular courses on site
Britain’s oldest road, the Ridgeway, is just a few steps from Buckerfields. Simply turn right out of the drive and walk along the verge following the road round to Hallam. You’ll see an thatched cottage with a wooden road sign across the road, you can either turn right or left and you’re on the Ridgeway. Within minutes you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views across the North Wessex Downs and the Vale of the White Horse. Avebury is 9.5 miles to the west (turn right at Hallam; the section from Ogbourne to Barbury Castle is particularly fine); Sparsholt Firs via Liddington Castle and Uffington Castle (iron age hill forts), is 16 miles to the east (turn left at Hallam). The Ridgeway is clearly signposted along its length.
A nice circular walk of two hours or so is to head to Hallam and turn right (west) onto the Ridgeway. Follow the road through the village past black and white houses and one with a bush trimmed to the shape of a Gummi Bear! Head up a small hill and you’ll see signs for the Ridgeway. Continue along the path until you join a road. Ignore the right turn into Ogbourne St George and continue straight on for 100 m or so until you see a small footpath signed on your right. Take this path through the trees and over the field to the church. then follow the road round into the village. Turn left and walk past Rectory Manor and you’ll see a small bridleway sign on the right hand side by green garage doors and just beyond a large grey and white house. Follow this down a short lane enclosed on both sides by a shoulder height ivy covered brick wall and climb the stile into the field. Follow the path down to the river, but do not cross it. Turn left and skirt the field until you come to a rickety stile on your right. Beyond this is a simple plank bridge and beyond it a gate bringing you back to Buckerfields.
If you’d like to stop for a drink, instead of taking the bridleway, continue through the village until you come to a fork in the road. take the left hand fork and the Inn with the Well pub is at the crossroads. Buckerfields is a couple of minutes walk from the pub along the road to the right.
The Ridgeway aside, the area is fantastic for walking and cycling with trails of all lengths and for all abilities. Take a look at the information in your apartment or, if you’d like to plan ahead, there are a variety of walks listed on these websites:
For the keen cyclist, there are and several local cycle routes listed here: .
Sustrans cycle route 45 passes right by Buckerfields
The Savernake forest, Britain’s only privately owned forest is just over three miles away, just past Marlborough. Park up anywhere and follow one of the well-marked trails. Beautiful at any time of year, it’s at its most show-stopping in spring when the bluebells are out and in autumn, when all the beech trees change colour.
The pretty, historic market town of Marlborough is just three miles south of Buckerfields and well worth a visit - particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays when a lively market takes over the High Street . There’s a large Waitrose and other high street shops, and scores of interesting independent shops, from fashion boutiques to antiques dealers. Drop in for a coffee at the Cosy Bean Coffee Lounge in Hilliers Yard, or have a more substantial lunch at one of the many pubs including the Green Dragon, The Lamb or Pino's Italian restuarant in the parade.. The Polly Tearooms are famous for their afternoon tea.
Three miles to the east, Aldbourne is a lovely village with a village green, duck pond, an interesting old church (housing a pair of 18th century fire engines) and two pubs, as well as a post office and Co-Op. There are several interesting walks around the village and its environs, including one up to Four Barrows from the track just behind the church. On your way back, the Crown serves good, home-cooked food.
Avebury, five miles west of Marlborough, is one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe and the largest stone circle in the world. Much less visited and more peaceful than Stonehenge, it’s an atmospheric place to wander (you can walk right up to the stones and touch them), especially at dusk or dawn.
A few miles to the south west, Hungerford brims with independent shops selling everything from handmade hats to upcycled furniture. Antiques are a particular strength, we love Below Stairs of Hungerford; Great Grooms, and the Hungerford Arcade.
A barge trip along the Kennet & Avon canal, Wiltshire’s main waterway, is a lovely way to see the countryside. From Easter until late October, you can hop aboard at Kintbury (for a horse-drawn barge experience), Hungerford or Devizes.
See kennet-horse-boat.co.uk or www1.katrust.org.uk for more details.
Set in 1,000 acres of stunning parkland, Highclere Castle (01635 253210; ) is a fascinating day out. Remodelled in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry just after he finished the Houses of Parliament, it is now best known as the set of ITV hit series Downton Abbey. Explore the lavish rooms where Lady Mary and Lord Grantham ‘live’ and then remember that this is still the current home of Lord and Lady Carnarvon who live here when the castle is closed to the public. Don’t miss the Egyptian exhibition, which showcases many of the treasures collected by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who in 1922 discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun with Howard Carter. Opening times are limited so book ahead.
Swindon is seven miles north of Buckerfields. Bargain hunters will love the McArthurGlen’s Designer Outlet which has over 90 high street and designer stores offering discounts of up to 60%. Just across the way, the excellent STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway makes a great day out even if you’re not a locomotive buff.
For spectacular gardens in a ‘Capability’ Brown designed landscape, look no further than Bowood House in Calne. Visitors from late April to mid June will enjoy the breathtaking rhododendron walks, considered to be one of the most exciting gardens of its type in the country. 2014 also sees an exhibition, ‘For King and Country’ charting Bowood’s role in the First World War. Open 1 April - 2 November.
Ogbourne Downs Golf Club is almost next door and allows day players. Marlborough golf club, three miles away, has a reciprocal deal with 16 other golf clubs allowing their members to play for a nominal charge.