40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (2024)

The top stops along the way from Trowbridge to Winchester (with short detours) are Stonehenge, Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World, and Osborne House. Other popular stops include Winchester Cathedral, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, and Highclere Castle.

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Painswick Rococo Garden

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (1)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (2)

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Garden

Nature & Parks

Park

The garden, situated in the Cotswolds, is home to a large naturalistic plantings of snowdrops. It also has a cafe and seasonal events.

Such a beautiful place. It was so peaceful. The cafe was great and make the best vegan Blueberry Bakewell slice. There were plenty of places to sit and take in the scenery. We had a go in the maze, it was small but we still enjoyed it. The maze has been cleverly cut in to the number 250. I will go back again in the spring and summer to see more of the flowers.

Denise M — Google review

A gardeners garden. Full of interesting plants with great views and perspectives in a relatively small space.Dogs allowed everywhere except the veg garden, although as its in a bowl you can see everything when you walk around the perimeter.Wheelchair and walker accessibility is limited by the slopes. If your fit and/or strong enough to get up a short hill then the surfaces are adequate in dry weather. Bound gravel and grass predominate.The cafe is good although shelter is under a big gazebo so a bit marginal in wind and rain. The tiny shop is good and the plant sales is like a proper nursery or garden centre.

David W — Google review

Beautiful gardens, well worth the visit if you go to the cotswolds. We went on a lovely summers day, explored the gardens and the herbs/ veggies that were growing. The anniversary maze is great 👍 if you are looking for a bit of fun. You can check it out from the distance before going in if you are worried about getting lost! I would recommend if you are looking for a beautiful space to walk around and explore/ chill out. Great for kids too.

Zaibs — Google review

These gardens are stunning. A great mix of woodland, water, and formal settings. You really should pay this place a visit.

Michael C — Google review

A wonderful garden and grounds to walk around. Not too large, and (mostly) accessible with pram (but there are a few paths where you’ll have to take unusual detours in the woods to make it all work out).Parking available on site, with a cafe and small shop at the start of the site. Wonderful for a gentle day out with kids, or a peaceful walk for adults.

Alex S — Google review

The gardens were wonderful, enjoyed seeing the snowdrops and the daffodils. It was a lovely walk round and plenty of benches too. Cafe good also.

Tracy D — Google review

On entering, it didn't look like it would take us very long to get around, but once we set out to go around we found there was more than meets the eye. With a young child in a pram, the inclines and gravel paths were a bit challenging in places. A fairy trail, installed the day before, in readiness for the school holidays, added to our enjoyment of the surroundings. A different kind of day out for us but an enjoyable le one all the same.

David A — Google review

Spent a lovely few hours walking around and admiring the gardens, lovely little follies along the way, had fun finding our way through the maze. Nice play area for children, made out of wood, castle, swing etc, lovely cafe by the entrance selling drinks, hot food and cakes.

Gillian T — Google review

Interesting and different to most gardens. Quite steep in parts. Nice little cafe offering. Woodland walk as well as the open kitchen garden area and quirky buildings. We spent a lovely couple of hours here.

Lynda E — Google review

Lovely walk around the gardens, took our dogs and they also enjoyed the walk. A wedding was going on while we were there and they were all having a wonderful time. I did think the garden entrance fee was a little expensive, and there is still lots of work yo do there, but still a lovely afternoon out.

Ray G — Google review

Went on a Sunny day. The location was lovely and surrounded by the pretty village of painswick. The gardens were well kept and the grounds were spread out enough to keep a small family occupied for a few hours. You can wander and find out what’s round the next corner without having to have an interest in gardens. However, if gardens are your thing, then you’ll like the small shop and planting.

Andrew C — Google review

A beautiful Saturday morning spent here. We arrived for just past 10am and nearly had the place to ourselves! Such a beautiful garden and a few hours spent exploring before a lovely coffee in the café after.

Kelsey C — Google review

Spent a wonderful few hours at Rococo Garden. A good mixture of history, woodland and beautiful gardens with plenty of benches to sit and admire the views. We enjoyed a lovely home made quiche and a cuppa in the little cafe area. Recommended*****

Tina R — Google review

This was our second visit to the garden and lots had changed since last time. The garden is well signposted and has plenty of parking. There is now a good cafe on site with both covered and outdoor seating.The gardens are great, particularly for families and there are lots of events to get people involved. When we visited there were wicker statues of animals and mythical beasts throughout the gardens which was great fun to spot as we walked around. It isn't somewhere you could really spend a day but for a few hours it was a lovely bargain place to visit.

Marcus H — Google review

A beautiful setting to explore in Painswick. Gardens, foresty area, planted areas with apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, raspberries etc..... A maze in the shape of 250 celebrating the age of the garden, a picnic spot, creatures made from wicker spread around the area, a play area. Only word of caution would be around climbing or descending heights, if you have knee issues you may struggle otherwise a place where you could spend hours if not the day exploring and enjoying especially with good weather!

Ishtiyaq S — Google review

What a hidden gem of a garden. Well worth visiting. Such an interesting back story and worthy of the entry fee to support ongoing restoration of the site. There is a lovely little cafe too to refresh you on return to your car or perhaps to give fortification for exploring the maze hidden at the back of the garden.

Sarah W — Google review

A beautiful garden that will take your breath away!I have visited many gardens and most blur into one but when I looked out over this one it was beautiful and so different. I won't say any more and spoil it! Don't hesitate to visit and take it all in.

Rachael W — Google review

A lovely place to take a relaxing stroll. They did a dragon Egg hunt for the kids. A lovely cafe area and a plant nursery to buy a momento of your visit.

Jenny B — Google review

Lovely to see the snowdrops. You need just a couple of hours to walk around the lovely garden and woodland. If wet, take wellies, although paths are mulch or sandy/dirt. Parking is in field but blue badge parking available on flat nearer entrance. Lovely place to return to in all seasons. Tea shop available.

Julie B — Google review

Enjoyed our visit to these gardens. However, you do have to be reasonably agile to get around as very hilly in places. There's free parking and toilets are located next to the car park. There's an onsite cafe for hot/cold food and drinks and some outside seating. The inside seating is in a teepee which is quite fun. I believe they are in the process of trying to acquire a more permanent structure. There's a nice play area for the children and a large level lawn for picnics.

Judy P — Google review

Fab day at the gardens. Great fun egg hunting. Taken us all the way round the beautiful gardens.Lovely coffee and sausage rolls too.Will be back!

Aldonap77 — Google review

A personal favourite and one of England's most unique and historically important gardens.As both a rare early-18th century survival and the only surviving complete rococo garden in the country, it is unmissable.I aimed my visit for the Snowdrop season and was pleasantly surprised with thos season's showing.The staff are friendly and extremely helpful, and the gardens are covered by the Historic Houses Scheme, meaning entry is free with this membership.

Isaac L — Google review

Warm welcome into this quirky garden. Lots of interesting follies. Plenty of seats to admire the garden with its views out to open countryside. I found walking around it easy with the wide smooth paths. There were a few areas I couldn't access with my mobility problems but still plenty to explore. Excellent bacon sandwich too.

Trissy R — Google review

Went to see the snowdrop display, and it didn't disappoint. Food facilities are a work in progress, but the food was of decent quality. The gardens are well laid out and the woodland walks are accessible to most but may be a struggle to wheelchair users.

Dave C — Google review

Had a lovely morning out on a sunny February day. The snowdrops were still looking glorious and the gardens were so stunning. Lots of hellebores and early colour popping up, lots of beautiful ferns, so much to see. I took lots of photos and felt very inspired. Not too busy at 10.30, but was getting busier as we left. Will definitely be back to see the gardens in a different season.

Mandy G — Google review

Although it's still early spring, the daffodils and other spring flowers were in full bloom. The Gardens are perfect for families with young kids and the search for dragon eggs are highly encouraged! The "pop up" shop had some and enchanting goodies for sale. I had a thoroughly good time!

Christine P — Google review

Beautiful on a cold but sunny February morning. Gentle amble round. Beautiful snowdrops, crocus, daffodils in their way. Dog and child friendly

Kathryn — Google review

Random stop off led to this place and was a lovely walk around the gardens. Only slight put off if the entrance price, a little bit steep for what it is, but otherwise friendly staff and a nice place to be. A shame we didn't have sun, that would make it even nicer.

Martyn D — Google review

I got married here in 2022, it is absolutely beautiful! Winter to summer weather it’s stunning. They put on activities for the kids through the year. The staff are brilliant, welcoming and friendly especially if you’re planning a wedding! The team did a great job!

Emily — Google review

Lovely visit with our dog. Very dog friendly. Not the largest gardens but very well looked after and lots to take in. The lunch we had was excellent from the cafe and our dog was treated to a big dog biscuit which were available to buy.

James H — Google review

4.5

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4.0

(906)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (6)

Gloucester Rd, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6TH, United Kingdom

+44 1452 813204

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Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

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Arboretum

Nature & Parks

Westonbirt Arboretum is a Victorian landscape covered with an internationally significant tree and shrub collection. It's a great place to spend a morning or afternoon walking through the trees, and it's especially beautiful in autumn when the colors of the maple trees change. Dogs are allowed on leashes, and the cafe has doggy ice cream for those who need a break after spending hours in the forest!

Really nice place for a walk with friends. Nice and quiet. Good for people with mobility issues. Went in spring so loads of bluebells around the trees. Even in the rain was very enjoyable and then to the smokehouse for lunch for a pork burger and chips. Delicious. Only downside was cost to enter was £11 each. But such a well maintained place so worth it. But I know many people will be turned off by that entry price.

Andrew G — Google review

Amazing place with so many options of trails!The autumn colors are incredible!!!! 🍂🍁We spent 6 hours just walking around and exploring...The trails are accessible and there is also a tree top bridge which was a great attraction for our son!The food stands were great too!Highly recommended!

Iyyar S — Google review

Fantastic place! I have been driving past many times but never been, so will definitely be back. The place is huge and excellently maintained. The trees are amazing, some of them must be centuries old. There are great facilities, too, and all of them are dog friendly. Admissions fee is not high either, so perfect place for a day out.

Angie K — Google review

An absolutely fantastic day out! There's plenty to see and do - we could easily fill a whole weekend seeing different parts of the arboretum! My favourite area is 'Acer Glade' as I adore the beautiful autumnal colours.We love the events held at the arboretum, particularly the 'Enchanted Christmas' light show. It's such a magical experience in a stunning setting.Wheelchair accessibility is excellent and you can even hire mobility equipment. Disabled parking and toilets are on site, too.

Saskia — Google review

Even in February, hardly the best time to visit, there is still much to see in this national treasure. Its been hit by Ash die back but there is much work going on to protect the area. After your walk there is even a great cafe for some much needed refreshments.

David C — Google review

Beautiful walk, definitely recommend going in autumn, the colours were stunning 😍 lots of amazingly large trees. The paths were nice and flat so very relaxing stroll and accessible for all.My only complaint was that there were only toilets at the entrance, it would have been helpful to have some toilets along the routes.

Beth H — Google review

An amazing place to walk the dog. We were here 4.5 hours. It was a rather hot day so make sure you have plenty of water for your dog. We had lunch there and a Scoop ice-cream for the dog.

Brian T — Google review

A truly beautiful and unique place. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who keep this incredible piece of natural splendour in such amazing beauty. An absolutely stunning testament to people who have the vision to establish and preserve a place for generations to wander and enjoy. The membership is the best thing, as you will definitely want to visit often.

Tony M — Google review

Lovely walks for the family and dog! Lots to see and do. Great for budding photographers, with the occasional wildlife appearance! Go on the Gruffalo trail, and enjoys the holiday activities for children. The annual events and concerts are also well worth your time.

Helen M — Google review

Great place,you can lose a good five or six hours here wandering through the trees. Fantastic treetop walkway and the older part, where digs are not allowed, was full of deer, rabbits and squirrels the size of cats. Lived it...

Mr L — Google review

I have visited Westonbirt 3 times now as I wanted to shoot the Autumn colours. The first visit was in the Acacia Avenue and then the second two the Maple Loop. Both are stunning, the colours are vibrant, the yellows reds and oranges have really been dramatic this year. This is a large site , you will need plenty of time to get round everything. There are plenty of stalls for coffee, and plenty of take away choices. The staff are absolutely lovely and always give me good tips for my photos, please thank them for me. This is a lovely visit easily deserving five stars, and deserves its reputation as one of the best arboretums in the country. I will let the images (hopefully) do the talking. A Photo Tip if I may. Shoot more Landscape as opposed to portrait. We see in landscape, our field of vision is Landscape 3X2 (width X height). While sensors vary in size, most sensors are Landscape 3X2 (both camera and phone), they mimic what our sub conscious is most comfortable with and expects to see. .

Alan K — Google review

Such a wonderful place for a walk no matter what the season. The autumn colours are absolutely beautiful 🍁🍂, the flowers in the spring are gorgeous and it’s so nice to see all the little buds on the trees🌱🌷🌼. Even in the rain it’s a lovely place for a stroll. There are so many different trail options suitable for any one no matter their ability, you could go for a quick half an hour walk or spend hours there!There are trails for kids and things to keep them entertained all the way round, information about all the different trees and little activities. There’s often trails on for them and always the gruffalo waiting to be found!The cafe is really nice with great options and there’s also a little food trailer near the entrance to grab a coffee for your walk.

Emily L — Google review

We arrived late but the time we spent was lovely. Enjoyed coffee and cake after a walk over the fabulous Ariel walkway. Can't wait to go again for a full day. Dogs allowed on leads.

ANN M — Google review

Walking in the Arboretum feels like you are transported to a different world, Lime Avenue, Holford Ride,Acer Glade and the downs were my favourite place, simply breathtaking.

Ricklette ( — Google review

Amazing place with an incredible variety of mature trees. Huge parklands to walk around. We only did the main circuits but it was about 10,000 steps. The cafe half way round is very welcome. The Old Aboutitum is amazing, as is the maple area and the fantastic treetop walkway to get you easily back to the car park. Quite expensive but very good discounts for under 19s and people on Universal Credit.

David P — Google review

Absolutely loved it. Fantastic family festive event. Met up with a group of friends for a catch up during the festive season. Lovely village waiting area, complete with rides for the children, Santa Claus and plenty of refreshments. Hot Chocolate, Milkshakes, Mulled Wine and Cider, Hog Roast Bratwurst, Burgers, Falafel, Baguettes, Jacket Potatoes so much variety of choice.Parking was easy and well guided by the attendants, big screen with info of time slots now being admitted. The walk itself took about 50mins/hour and there were beautifully lit areas with lots to see and experience. £21 for an adult ticket, absolute bargain for the experience and really nice time we all had, now a new annual tradition.Thank you Westonbirt Team - Great work 👍

Christopher B — Google review

Lovely place to visit. Beautiful and very calming. Dog friendly and mostly wheelchair accessible. Will be taking up membership

Clive H — Google review

Nature's art gallery ✨️; light, colour, texture, design and sculpture to name but a few attributes. We absolutely loved our day, unexpectedly enhanced by a brilliant guided tour which we were invited to join by volunteers Tim and Neil. Their knowledge of the trees and the history of the site added to our experience enormously and we heard stories and facts, and saw trees we would possibly have completely missed. The estate is truly beautiful and an amazing resource to protect our world's trees for future generations. A real credit to Forestry England, all their paid staff and particularly their volunteers. How we wish we lived closer.

Rachel R — Google review

Lovely time as ever and the trees are stunning. Two downsides: food choices weren't great, 2, we managed to borrow a mobility scooter (of which, I don't feel they have enough for high season) but the battery ran down so fast we had to cut our walk short. This was to our advantage though, as we got to the car before the rain started!

Elizabeth S — Google review

We will keep coming back as long as we can. I’ve been coming since I was little with my family and look back fondly on our days beneath the trees. I now take my own family here at least once a month. It’s truly beautiful and one of our favourite places to go.

Sofi J — Google review

Absolutely beautiful place to go. Lovely walk and many magnolia and cherry blossoms. Photos was taken in last week.Delicious food , the pizza made by wood in the forest .

Celia@Cooking F — Google review

A wonderful area of curated trees where one can lose oneself for a few hours. We went in spring this year to see the rhododendrons which were very blousy! Autumn colours are spectacular and the lights at Christmas well worth seeing.You can take your dog 🐕 and walk the extensive Silk Woods largely off lead. The Old Arboretum is dog free to cater for those less fond of canines and to protect certain plants.There are plenty of places to sit and eat and talks to explain the conservation and scientific work that happens here.

Julie G — Google review

Went go see Gregory Porter in concert at the Arboretum. Amazing place in the middle of nowhere, very peaceful. Had to wait a little when the advent finished and everybody rushed towards the exit in their cars, but the local ushers tried to keep order somehow.

Zsolt K — Google review

Really beautiful and special place, I just wish dogs were allowed in all of it.They are allowed in the new section, witch is huge, and they are allowed off lead in part of that side too, so there's a lovely relaxed atmosphere, and the colours are already amazing, with a lot still to come.

Ellen C — Google review

£16 adult entry enjoyed a lovely 3 and half hour walk with a very nice coffee at the end of it. I will return again.

Heather P — Google review

Beautiful as always, no matter what season you come the trees will spoil you with beauty. Has multiple walks of different lengths to fit most people, a lot are wheelchair accessible or good for people with reduced mobility.A must visit for each season.

Paul E — Google review

The Nial Rogers and Chic concert was fantastic but the organisation or lack of upon leaving the car park after the event spoilt everything. It was total chaos. Cars from every direction trying to push in. Surprise if there wasn't an accident with hundreds of people going to their cars in the dark, with some flood lights provided, but still people and cars in disarray everywhere. We were the third car to leave our parking place from the standard car park and it took us exactly ONE hour to get to the main road. It spoilt it so much that we would not attend any concert again. The arrival was well organised, so why but why couldn't they use the same staff and organise the departure in the same fashion???

Katalin R — Google review

Went to see a concert at the venue. Long walk from the car park which cost over £10 to park in a field. Overpriced food and drink and the bands were well past their prime. Good job I won the tickets or I would really have been unhappy

Robert H — Google review

I visited Westonbirt a few times during Xmas holiday, but this was my first time there in the daytime. Lots of visitors were there on Sunday. The car parks were full. Plenty of places to eat or drink. It is a nice walk around the park on a sunny day. It is worth the visit, although a bit of more entertainment would be great for the adults.

T S — Google review

Absolutely stunning display of Xmas lights but a bit disappointed with the lack of characters (elves, father Xmas, reindeer runway etc) and fun fair events during and after the walk. Previous years have definitely delivered more.

Anthony F — Google review

Amazing place for walks, I recommend good walking boots or shoes whenever visiting as it can be muddy. There is a provided map and multiple sign posts around a paved route.

Chaz D — Google review

Attended a concert, but unfortunately, the management of the event wasn't great either getting in and especially getting out.During the concert, we were able to have our picnic blankets out, but when the main act came on, the crowd surged forward, and our chairs and blanket were knocked over and trodden on by spectators and there was no room to move.The toilet queue for the ladies was ridiculously long, but queues for food and drink were reasonable.We had to queue for 2hrs to get out of the concert car park once the event finished.Won't be hurrying back

Big G — Google review

4.7

(8644)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (11)

4.0

(2775)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (12)

Tetbury, GL8 8QS, United Kingdom

+44 300 067 4890

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40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (13)

3

Lacock Abbey

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$$$$affordable

Museum

The Lacock Abbey museum is a place where visitors can learn about the history of photography through exhibits featuring photographs taken by William Fox Talbot. The abbey itself is a beautiful, secular building that was once part of a major monastery. There are also facilities for tea and refreshments, and it's easy to walk around in the same area as Harry Potter was filmed. This is an excellent day out for anyone interested in history or photography.

Gorgeous place to visit. It’s beautiful all year round with different flowers for each season, often also an exhibition of photography or art on and the surrounding village is lovely to walk around. And you can see lots of places used in the Harry Potter film and Downton Abbey!

Emily L — Google review

Fantastic place.Lots of history to be shared.Access to the house and surrounding gardens was great and many people within to advise on the history.National trust was running an interactive photography session for the kids which was great.Also had a history of photography in the entrance building which was interesting (it's actually where photography was invented).There was also an interesting part on plastic waste.

Mark B — Google review

Beautiful building on beautiful grounds.The cloisters were a filming location for movies like Harry Potter, so if you're a fan you should definitely go see it!!The Fox Talbot museum is a great lesson on the history of photography.National trust members, I recommend a visit!!The Abbey is located in a very cute village, so if you have time, I'd recommend taking a walk around the village to see the pretty cottages and buildings.For Harry Potter fans, you can also find the Potters' cottage and Slughorn's hideout house. They're easy to find on Google maps.

April D — Google review

Lovely National Trust property. Very interesting. Laycock village is also worth seeing and walking around. There are some short circular walks through the stunning countryside. The Red Lion pub is worth a visit too. Plenty of parking and a playground nearby. The National Trust cafe was shut when we visited but there are toilet facilities nearby. Good for all age groups.

Sandra W — Google review

Lacock Abbey is a beautiful National Trust place set in the grounds of the picturesque village of Lacock. The rooms in the Abbey are all very interesting to see, especially at Christmas when the Abbey is beautifully decorated and the yearly Community Christmas Tree Festival takes place in the cloisters.There is also a nice cafe in Lacock Abbey with seating inside and outside.You can easily spend a whole day in Lacock looking around the Abbey, grounds and the village with the traditional old cottages, little shops and pubs.Walking around the village and the outer grounds of the Abbey is free, tickets are needed for the Abbey and Fox Talbot museum, a must for any photographer lover.Lacock is always worth a visit and there is something to see and do for the whole family and all ages.

Manuela T — Google review

This is such a marvellous and tranquil place, and with so much to see!The museum quite small, but well worth the visit. I was not aware of the role Talbot played in the history of modern photography, so I certainly learnt something new there!The area around the abbey is wonderful for a stroll, and the interior is wonderful indeed!One should not visit the museum and the abbey without also walking to the village, though, which is beautiful. It's a pity about all the parked cars, though, but I assume they belong to residents, so not much that can be done about that. Without the cars, one could easily be mistaken for having time-lapsed into a bygone era. It's also obvious why the place has been chosen for the setting of so many films.By the way, visitors can always leave the grounds of the abbey to go to the village and then come back with the same ticket.We spent around 4 wonderful hours in Lacock (including tea in the village coffee shop), and I felt it was a great choice for a day out!

Rolf W — Google review

Beautiful house, full of history, built in the 1200, and home of the invention of photography negatives and photography reproduction. The house is very nice to explore, and there are a few locations that were used when filming Harry Potter movies. There is a very nice village nearby, lovely country walks and places for picnics and a photography museum.

Juan M — Google review

Really nice National Trust place. There is lots to see and something for most people. Whether you are interested in a historic town, building and lifestyles, the invention of photography and the rivalry surrounding it, or like having a walk around idyllic Gardens, this is a great day out. There are also nice little cafes and shops throughout. (Also, on a side note , some Harry Potter scenes were filmed here, making it a great stop for Potter fans - check out the cloisters!)

Robert M — Google review

An absolutely lovely afternoon. There was an Astronomy Photograph Exhibition when we went. It was a lovely sunny day so walking around the gardens and Abbey was really enjoyable. Great place for kids to run around plus they occasionally have activities for them. Tea rooms and refreshments available..... And you get to walk in the same area as Harry Potter as the scenes from the first film were filmed there. A truly wonderful day. 😊

Leah B — Google review

Worth a visit, photography museum is quite small but very interesting and the gardens are lovely. We didn't go as far as the village so can't comment on that but the abbey is very peaceful and well preserved. The volunteers and staff were really friendly to our children and the half term activities (making your own cyanotype) were fun.

Erin H — Google review

Beautiful place. The village was definitely worth a visit. Stable cafe a must. The Abbey is stunning. The museum, for a photography nerd like me - incredible

Sue B — Google review

Great to get there early before it gets too crowded. Enjoyed the grounds. We were there with dogs so could not go into any buildings.

Annabel K — Google review

Fabulous garden, impressive monastery, many interesting historical facts. Even better if you are a National Trust member and just want a quick stop along the M4 to break up a long journey.

Colin W — Google review

Absolutely stunning place and was great to learn about the nuns and walking around the place and grounds and obviously to see part of where harry potter was filmed! Definitely a must visit!!

Corrie P — Google review

Both the Abbey and the village well worth a visit, beautiful. Also anyone interested in photography there is a little museum celebrating William Henry fox Talbot, who invented the photographic negative back in 1835.

Mo . — Google review

Lacock village is a lovely scenic place. The Abbey is National Trust and is paid entry if not a member. You can go into the house, the cloisters and visit the gardens. There is also a tea room and toilets in the Abbey grounds. There is a carpark just on the edge of the village which is also National Trust with plenty of parking and short 2 min walk to the Abbey and 3 mins into the village. Don't drive into the village itself as its not fair on the locals, ruins the village for visitors and is not necessary.

Lisa — Google review

Loved our trip here today. So lucky with the weather. Gardens and Abbey well worth a visit..

Paul R — Google review

Well worth a visit! Lots to see and lots of lovely staff and volunteers to answer questions about the history of the buildings and their prior owners. As a bonus, the largely unchanged village of Lacock lies just outside of the Abbey boundary.

Pete C — Google review

A beautiful place to visit. The access to the actual building is very limited unfortunately but what is there is lovely. When visiting Lacock though, you have to remember that basically the whole village is NT owned so the village as a whole (not just the grounds for the Abbey) is a wonderful place to walk around. There is a wonderful photography exhibition in the main building, and there is a fantastic wealth of amenities in the village itself. The parking is very easy to access and there are plenty of well laid out spaces.

Gareth C — Google review

Wonderful national trust property with rich history. The house is built around the old medieval Abbey that you can still see. The volunteers were very knowledgeable and excited to share the history of the area they are in. The grounds are beautiful and easily accessible. The village that is also part of the property is charming with a few cafes and pub which gives choices of places to eat or grab some refreshments

Zachary K — Google review

4.6

(5344)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (19)

4.5

(1665)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (20)

Lacock, Chippenham, SN15 2LG, United Kingdom

+44 1249 730459

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Corinium Museum

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (21)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (22)

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Museum

Specialty Museums

The Corinium Museum houses a nationally significant collection of Roman artifacts that were discovered locally, such as mosaics and sculpture. The museum focuses on Cirencester's Roman past, with reconstructed rooms and interactive displays bringing the era to life. Visitors can marvel at the beautiful floor mosaics, including one depicting Orpheus charming animals, and the Jupiter column featuring Bacchus and his drunken companions.

This museum is great for those interested in History associated with Romans and their life in England. Very well explained throughout the corridors. Organized by timelines with special instruments discovered through the time in Cirencester and Cotswolds areas. The admission price is reasonable for the amount of History items very well kept. Staff is welcoming and available for questions through the visit.

Fatima C — Google review

Interesting museum primarily about their authentic Roman collection. Not a large museum, I would say that 1 hour will be enough to walk around. There is a free art gallery next door.Adult tickets were £7.90. We visited during a weekday so it was relatively quiet.We parked at the nearby Old Station car park and it was only a few minutes walk.

JF L — Google review

Great Museum. Lots of fabulous displays and the mosaics are particularly stunning . Allow a good hour and a half to walk around it. For £6 entry its good value for money too

Jedd S — Google review

Tremendous museum of Roman history in the centre of the lovely Cotswold town of Cirencester. There is off-road surface level parking just round the corner from the museum. The cost of entry was a very reasonable £7.20 per person - I suggest you allow at least 2 hours. The museum has Roman artefacts from the time when the town was the capital of a Roman administrative district - including pottery, jewellery, & some world class mosaics found in nearby villas. The displays are good , including some that are interactive. There is a small shop, & an independent on-site cafe (nice but quite expensive), & a cloakroom but no lockers. Overall, highly recommended. 10/10.

Tim C — Google review

Great experience! It was really bewildering seeing how old Cirencester actually is, and how during Roman times (2000 years ago) it was called Corinium. Very insightful historical comparisons on the maps situated throughout the museum - depicting the historical relevance of places like modern day Bath, Malmesbury and Swindon.It would be better to have more insight into what to expect from the museum beforehand - what books/audio tapes to purchase/how big the facility is.It was a little disappointing to have no observable dustbins for such a long museum walk.Great place for children - with lots of interactive items and games. Though beware it is a very long museum walk.

Pano P — Google review

Rather excellent little museum in Cotswold capital of Cirencester. The museum has quite the range of collections outside of Roman artifacts - prehistory, Anglo-Saxon and civil war are the others.The mosaics are amazing and it was a bit hard to differentiate between reproductions of wall plaster and original. The gift shop is excellent and the gallery of modern art by locals was excellent.

Runako T — Google review

A lovely museum, well laid out (especially the newer building) with a surprising amount of quality exhibits for what is essentially a small town. We spent far longer in here than we had expected given the relatively modest entrance fee and left happier and better informed!

Andrew B — Google review

Looks small from the outside but packed with exhibits.The museum is tucked away a short walk from the main town centre.It is packed with exhibits from small to huge, all laid out and labelled clearly. Descriptive text everywhere is concise and informative without being boring.Most things on display are Roman but there’s plenty to see from the periods before and after.The route around the museum is easy to follow and takes you through the history of the area chronologically.The layout, lighting and quality of the displays is exceptional and easily rivals or surpasses some I’ve seen in far bigger museums. Likewise the quality of some items is so good that a few look like new particularly some of the Anglo Saxon jewellery. The mosaics and recreation of a Roman sitting room were also highlights for me.I couldn’t take it all in on one visit so will be back.We came on a Tuesday during school holidays. No school parties, but a lot of tourists. However, there was still enough room to move around and see & enjoy everything.It wasn’t too busy when we arrived on spec. We paid and were in within minutes but later we saw a queue so book in advance on the web site.I’d advise buying one of the handbooks @ £4.50. It helps focus younger visitor’s attention and isn’t bad value. Entry cost was just under £15 for one adult and one child inc. the Explorer’s Handbook (with stickers!).Parking in Cirencester is *always* tricky. I’d advise avoiding markets days = Mondays, Fridays and the second and forth Saturdays of each month.On other days, arrive as early as possible and head for the Forum car park (you can use the PayByPhone app here). Enter Cirencester Police Station into your satnav / maps app. The Forum car park is on the right, just before the station.

Glevum O — Google review

Lovely and serene space, with amazing local information spanning the centuries.My daughter is doing a project on Romans, and so there was lots of information to be gathered and learnt, especially about how the city of Corinium (Roman Cirencester) was the 2nd largest city apart from London.The mosaics found in Cirencester were amazing through, really beautiful, as you can see from the photos, as well as the artefacts of coins, jewellery and pottery.The timelines depicting how Cirencester remained important throughout the years as you travelled through the museum was great too - I learnt a lot!A very enjoyable visit.

Kay P — Google review

Visited cirencester for a few hours and my first stop was this museum.The history and information in this museum is amazing!History from all different time periods.This is a must see for anyone with an interest in history or the town's heritage.

William M — Google review

Amazing, clear, legible displays in plenty of spotlessly clean space. Booked 3 hours to see town and ran out of time, just in Museum, so will be back. Very pleasant on reception. So often descriptions of exhibits are too high or small for mature people but we could read them all and well lit. Driven round Ring Road hundreds of times, first to centre and so much to see of important historic town.

Tony A — Google review

Well done museum with nice sequential exhibits. Lots of Roman era tiles and info. Worth it. Good history info.

Joe B — Google review

Wow! A MUST visit if you’re a Roman enthusiast. An impeccable collection of mosaics and interesting artifacts fromGrave steles to columns and recreated triclinia, the best Roman museum I’ve visited in the UK.

James D — Google review

An excellent insight into the history of Roman life in Cirencester, also later times in the town. Ideally you need 3-4 hours to really take in the many artifacts displayed.

Mark W — Google review

Well worth a visit. So informative with excellent, easy to read information. The staff are helpful and knowledgeable. The Roman mosaics are wonderful and impressive, they are beautifully presented. It's small enough to go around within a few hours but with a day ticket you can go out and back in the same day as we did. I think it would be of interest to any age group, things for children to do. It's easy to get around if you have mobility problems. A thoroughly enjoyable visit, give it a try. I will certainly return if I'm visiting Cirencester again.

Dee L — Google review

Museum tells the story of Roman and Anglo saxon life in cotswold. Displays of pottery, tools, housing, weapons and religion.

Zain M — Google review

Fascinating museum, lots to see and the staff are very friendly and helpful.

Wayne J — Google review

Wanted to visit here to see the Roman artifacts found in the area and wasn't disappointed. The mosaics are wonderful to see up close.

Tina W — Google review

Easily found and multiple easy parking 🅿️ facilities close by. Not expensive to enter, great access and we took our 8 year old grandson who was absolutely enamoured with the many many relics, facts and games presented in a way to hold both adult and child attention curve. He had a clip board and was tasked with finding hidden clues within the relics. We loved this place and so informative, highly recommend, has plenty of facilities toilets cafe etc so take a look, great family adventure

Chris E — Google review

An amazing museum displaying artifacts portraying the history of this era. There are numerous interactive exhibits to keep those young and old amused, helpful staff, and plenty of detailed information.Come for the Roman mosaics, stay for the iron age dog.The coffee shop next door (accessible through the museum) is also worth a visit.

Richard S — Google review

Visited with my family, two daughters 13 & 6 yrs old and had a great time. A picture search for my youngest and plenty of games & activities to keep her focused. My eldest was also challenged and brought about some good conversations about Anglo Saxons. You can easily loose yourself for a couple of hours.Great fun and highly recommended.

James C — Google review

Been a few years since we last visited, what a difference, the museum is superb. Lots to see over 2 floors. Amazing mosaics and lots of artifacts. If you love history this museum is a must

Steve J — Google review

4.7

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4.5

(869)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (27)

Park St, Cirencester, GL7 2BX, United Kingdom

+44 1285 655611

5

Caen Hill Locks

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Weir

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Caen Hill Locks is a remarkable rural canal attraction that comprises of 29 locks, built in 1810. The expansive waterside path and the delightful café at the top make it an excellent destination for tourists. This British engineering masterpiece is run by committed volunteers who do a fantastic job. The car park prices are reasonable at just three pounds per day, and the café offers inexpensive but delicious ice creams along with other refreshments.

Great place to visit and walk, I came here with family and it was just lovely way to spend an afternoon. The view is beautiful and the locks are very intriguing. There’s a nice cafe (with toilet- always useful) too for a welcome drink.

Alex G — Google review

If you like canals then this is the perfect place for you. The flight of locks and narrow boats. The little cafe serves a variety of hot and cold food. Walking boots recommend up and down the lock path or into the forest. Parking £3 all day.

Steve K — Google review

Fantastic place, the volunteers are amazing and do a great job. They were only too happy to let our boys lend a hand at progressing a boat through the system. The little cafe is nice, priced well and has a good selection of ice creams. The car park is priced well at just £3 a day. A true feat of British engineering.

Legendary A — Google review

Visited the lock today and had a great time. The children learned so much and were even able to help work the locks for a few barges passing through. There were plenty of volunteers about helping maintain the locks and assisting some of the waterway users who needed it.The walk up isn't very steep at all so very manageable for all ages.We will look to visit again.

James M — Google review

Beautiful walk or cycle within easy reach of Devizes (which is also nice for a wander). If boats are travelling along this stretch of canal it's great to see the technology in action enabling them to travel up/down hill. Great day out with a nice cafe at the top of the hill, enjoyed by the whole family, the kids even managed to get in on the action helping boaters through the locks.

Kate H — Google review

What a lovely place to visit..Been here quite a few times now and it's a very enjoyable day out for all of the family.Lots of walking, wildlife and a great experience helping the families on the Barges to get through all of the 49 locks.

Sarah P — Google review

They say the Caen locks are one of the seven wonders of England's inland waterways, but they should also be listed in the top 20 things to see at all in the UK. They are a feat of engineering, an amazing insight into our history, and an astonishing wildlife reserve. On an early morning walk we met many dog walkers, saw people raising and lowering their barges, greeted a preening swan on the path, and enjoyed lots of bird life on the water. Glorious

Nigel M — Google review

Absolutely brilliant place if huge engineering projects are your thing, very knowledgeable and helpful volunteer passing on years of experience so thanks for that. Great value coffee shop, excellent coffee and cakes ( also friendly staff). £3 all day car park, not sure why that's anything other than good value nowadays, so to sum up, really enjoyed the visit, highly recommend.

Leigh C — Google review

Short walk from the car park (all day £3) to the canal and Lock no. 42. There's a pub just up the hill. You're surrounded by lush greenery and the views on and around the Lock gates and the water. The best view is upwards from the main road to Devizes.

Mandi F — Google review

Amazing and unique place!We had a walk up and down the locks, help boaters to climb up the locks and had picnic. Really enjoyed our afternoon!Volunteer was amazing! Very welcoming and answered all questions we had :)

Lina C — Google review

A wonder of Victorian engineering. Lovely walks and great views. Quaint coffee shops and canalside pubs. A lush day out.

Brekky N — Google review

Great walk, gets busy after 10.30 am. Great cafe, very good menu, soups, cake, pasties, ice creams, cream teas, hot chocolate etc..toilets available, lots of inside and outside seating. Their bins obviously just for them, not dogs. Lack of dog poop bins a problem. None in car park (main one at top to pay for)few near bottom smaller are free. Did find one (bin)which someone kindly signposted, opposite cafe, off path. Saw swans and a heron. 2nd visit in 2 weeks, last visit saw 3 canal boats tackling the locks, looked tiring and took a long time for a few locks only. Great views. Youngish woods to walk in too, picnic benches. Worth a visit or two though. 👍

Rebecca C — Google review

Great walk and picnic on a warm spring afternoon

Alison J — Google review

We are so very lucky to have these wonderful examples of humankind's determination to better their environment in order to make money! Largely because when they found an easier way to make money humankind said s+d this, I'm off on the M4 in a dirty great wagon! And if it hadn't been for a certain bunch of great (not for profit) humans, who actually gave their time and pretty much everything else to painstakingly restore the abandoned lock flight at Caen Hill, we wouldn't have them today. So here's to them. This was a wonderful day out, wandering the towpath, up and down the flight then into Devizes for a not so hard-earned pint (just the one officer) and the cost? £3 to park all day. A bargain in anyone's brass. See it to believe it!

Dick M — Google review

Interesting walk alongside the canal and this unusually long run of locks. There were a number of barges negotiating it when we visited. The path is shared by walkers and cyclists and can get rather puddly when it's just rained.There is car parking nearby at Wharf car park (only a short walk away). There is a cafe at the start of the locks (Caen Hill Cafe).

Adam S — Google review

Good footpaths & nice little cafe for Coffee & cakes ☕️

Simon H — Google review

Engineering feast of the 18th century. Very knowledgeable Canal and River Trust volunteers. Towpath is gravel and on gentle slope. Cafe is located near Lock 44.

Alex W — Google review

A lovely location for a walk or to do some fishing maybe.

John D — Google review

Stunning engineering that still operates today.Free to visit, just a nominal charge for the car park (one price for all day so do make the most of it).There's a café for snacks and drinks.But the main event is the series of locks. Fascinating to see a narrow boat go through the locks.Quite remarkable 😎👍👍👍

Mark P — Google review

Very cool place but muddy! So bring your Wellington boots. Lovely to see lots of dogs being walked around & I hear there is a nice pub at the top

Natalie W — Google review

Spectacular! Popular with the narrow boats, despite really being hard work. A scenic spot to visit, and the cafe near the top serves a welcome cup of your favourite hot beverage. Perfect when the weather isn't great.

Richard S — Google review

4.7

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4.5

(1095)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (30)

Kennet and Avon Canal, United Kingdom

+44 1452 318000

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6

Old Wardour Castle

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Castle

Sights & Landmarks

Heritage building

Historical landmark

Historic Sites

Old Wardour Castle is a 14th-century fortified residence that offers panoramic views of the Wiltshire countryside. The partially ruined castle is turreted and stands in landscaped grounds by a beautiful lakeside setting. Scenes from the movie "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" were filmed here. Visitors can explore the castle's interior and climb its turrets for breathtaking views. The surrounding area also features a grotto and picnic area to enjoy.

Beautiful castle in lovely surroundings! Much more to see than expected lots to discover.The information panels were very informative and helped to imagine life as it was back then.Loved the grotto in the grounds and pleased to see a picnic area too. It will be even better when the new visitor centre is open.

Sandie R — Google review

Decided to visit for an afternoon. Had a lovely afternoon wandering around the ruins. The weather made it a lovely experience. We made use of the narrated guide. The staff were welcoming and helpful. You do need relatively good mobility to get around as there are steps to get the most from your visit.

Sarah C — Google review

We visited as a family of 4, two children 9 and 3, both had a great time exploring the castle and going up all the stairs. The castle itself is exquisite. There are some great information points and bits for the children to read and things for them to take part in, like memory games for example. The views from the top were stunning. We visited because it's "Loxley Castle" in the 1991 version of Robin Hood and I always wanted to visit it but we also enjoyed hearing the real history of the place. With a gentle pace and taking it all in we was here a good 2 hours. So it's not a day trip place, but there are some nice places/villages to explore nearby. I think the price of admission online is reasonable considering it's only open during the weekend and the time spent there.Car park is on a slight slant and it's not huge but plenty of space when we got there.Toilets were clean but down some stairs.With the castle and the stairs this is not a site for wheelchair users or people who struggle with their legs.There is currently no English Heritage information building as it's being built. But there is little information hut and attendant right at the front. The gentleman there was really friendly, and explained the history of the castle to us and dulled it down for the kids so they could also understand.No food options.You can also get married here which seems very dreamy!

Lauren T — Google review

A lovely afternoon spent at Old Wardour Castle ruins. Lots to explore. If you're agile with a head for heights it's possible to climb to the top reach of one of the towers, and take in the amazing views. The castle looks over a lake with several clusters of beautiful lily pads. With a grotto made from fallen castle debris, and the later addition of a banqueting house. Audio and written aids to enlighten the visitor. Car parking. Dog friendly. Ideal for older children to explore, and toddlers to run safely on the lawns.And 'thank you' to the helpful staff.

SALLY H — Google review

Superb castle if you are into old castles and ruins. Not a ton of people were there when we visited so that made the experience even better. Lovely staff who saved us money by making us members of the English Heritage and crediting our Stonehenge tickets.

Marco P — Google review

What an amazing 14th century piece of history. The ruins, the lake, the woodlands, the grotto are very picturesque and worth visiting for sure!Coming close to the castle can be tricky due to very narrow lanes, so watch out for tractors! :)Car park is free of charge, although an admission fee applies.From 1st November until 31st of March open only Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Last admission is half hour before closing. Christmas time and on 1st of January closed.There is no cafe on site, so pack up your picnic with you.Public toilets in working condition on site.Lots of information boards around to read about history of this place.Plenty of benches around the castle to sit, relax and take it all in.Definitely recommend it!

Irina S — Google review

A very beautiful part of Wilshire and definitely a recommendation to visit. A little off the beaten track but once you're there you're surrounded by stunning countryside, a beautiful lake, and a historical castle. The grounds and castle are kept in good condition, and lovely public walks around the castle, and into the woods nearby with a less known gate house on your way. Perfect place for a picnic too. Shall be coming back soon.

Jake B — Google review

My first visit and definitely not my last. Such a stunning and tranquil place! Had a fantastic free tour also, given by a member of the English Heritage team. He was so knowledgeable and clearly a passionate historian. Well worth a visit though the narrow lanes to the Castle are a bit of a nightmare if a car comes from the other direction!

Nikki V — Google review

Spent a nice afternoon here at this dog friendly attraction. Road to it is single track but there are passing places on the way. Reasonably priced at £41 for two adults and four concessions including a charitable donation and audio guides. Underfoot it’s pretty good although when you go upstairs it can be a little tricky but worth it for the views of the surrounding area and for the extra info of the castle. Went to walk around the lake with the dogs but sadly you can only walk part of the way as most of it was private land which wa disappointing. Spent about 2 hours here but before you come, check availability as they close for private functions! Worth a visit.

Mr B — Google review

Having rejoined English Heritage recently, we have begun working through nearby places. And this was quite the find! Old Wardour is a beautiful old ruin — full of fascination with rooms, corridors, stairs and more to explore. The view from the top is amazing — with the woods and lake nearby. Oh, and there’s good coffee (and snacks!) too in the small shop. Ideal for all ages.

Andy B — Google review

Fantastic place. Not very crowded and free parking. Very nice place to explore. There are some very narrow roads you have to drive on to get here though.

Lexi — Google review

Very narrow roads and free parking right outside the gates if not a busy day. The new Wardour castle can be seen from the top. Boots are useful to walk through the garden, which can be muddy in places.

Pramod N — Google review

We loved visiting this place so much that we came back later in the week with the rest of our family! Plenty to explore and the grounds are beautiful as well. Perfect place for a picnic!

Jana L — Google review

Hidden gem of a ruin. Well maintained and loads of history. Knowledgeable friendly staff, free parking. Some nice dog walking in surrounding countryside. Easy to find with satnav

Mark J — Google review

Pleasant helpful, knowledgeable staff. Beautiful well maintained grounds.In the castle there is loads to explore. There are some steep stairways/steps to climb in a couple of places.

Sunny — Google review

Amazing, a hidden gem tucked away in the middle of nowhere. OK, the roads to the sites aren't brilliant and are mainly single track and winding, but when you get to the castle, just wow! Beautiful location really well maintained by English Heritage. The castle is partially ruined but we'll worth a visit. Scenes from the "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" film were shot here too.

Captain G — Google review

Well, what a hidden gem in the middle of nowhere. The roads to get there are extremely narrow, drive slow, and take care, the drive is absolutely worth it. The castle is situated on a stunning location on a small hill above a lake. There are many floors and rooms to explore in this castle. Ran by english heritage who have done a fantastic job taking care of this historic site. Small entrance shop with helpful and friendly staff and a reasonable sized car park.

Steven M — Google review

Fantastic day out, lovely castle with beautiful grounds. Great value for money, little one absolutely loved it here.

MIKE H — Google review

A gem of a place after walking around made me want to wear a top hat. Not a castle in the traditional sense but a house built to look like a castle. Inside, there are lots of rooms over many floors to explore, and you can climb to the top to get a view of the new castle across the lake. The castle was accidentally blown up and then turned into a ruin feature in a garden. There is also a grotto and a banquet house to look at. There are plenty of benches to admire the view. Shop and toilets and information boards dotted round, or you can get a guidebook or audio tour

Ashley L — Google review

Loved it, great day out with the family and friends. Has toilet facilities too!

Jevgenia M — Google review

Interesting place to visit. Spent over an hour there. Many people with picnics

Stuart S — Google review

Set in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside near Tisbury a visit to the ruins of Old Wardour Castle is an absolute must . Steeped in history including the English Civil war. The climb up the winding tower steps to the top of the ruins gives you the most stunning views of the lake and surrounding countryside.For the movie buffs this castle was used as Loxley Castle in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

Gav P — Google review

Lovely location! Cool castle, and the surrounding area. Some families were having picnics which is a nice idea, we had ours on the grass outside the grounds but still nice!Small back roads to access it but we have a small motorhome and just about managed ok.

Sian B — Google review

Lovely spot, views from inside the castle. Worth a walk around and dogs accepted on leads, there are walks outside the castle for off lead too

Fiona S — Google review

These grounds are absolutely stunning, I loved walking around the castle ruins and grotto. The castle itself is a sight to behold. It’s probably one of the better castle ruins to visit in England. The property itself is huge, roughly around 5 stories high. The drive up to the grounds was quite a narrow road but it’s worth the trip, completely secluded and ever so quiet. Dogs are allowed on the grounds, they’ll just need to be on leashes at all times.Tickets are fairly cheap (roughly around £8) and there’s plenty of information signs to learn about the history. There’s the castle grounds, the grotto, the lake & the banqueting hall to all learn about. This should definitely be on your bucket list! 🏰

Toby M — Google review

Came here on a Saturday afternoon and was really pleasantly surprised. An impressive amount of castle remains and set in lovely surroundings including an impressive lake. There is lots here to explore and lots of different stairways and rooms to be seen and some lovely views from the windows. The children I had with me had a lovely time finding out every bit there was to explore. What's good here is as well as the great castle remains to explore, there is also a fun grotto area built at the left of the grounds after you enter the main entrance with some fun nooks and crannies for the kids to explore. There is a good amount of space on the exterior of the castle to sit and enjoy a picnic or just some quiet time and this leads over towards the gorgeous lake. Following the wall around takes you to a small building that was open when we came which is part of the grounds that looks like a small chapel with some nice windows. Down below this building were the toilets. We followed the perimeter edge a bit further round and came across an old toilet block for the castle which was fun to show the kids how different they were from today's. In all, we spent a good couple of hours here and enjoyed it and would recommend it if you have a bit of time spare.

Jason ( — Google review

A nice ruined castle, with lots of rooms and staircases still accessible. Lots of information boards, and there are audio guides, though these weren't working when we visited. Reasonable but of ground around it, including a more recent banquet hall and a grotto.Children will enjoy being able to run around outside, and exploring the little rooms and nooks in the castle and grotto.A quick visit would probably take under an hour, but could probably spend a couple of hours.Toilets available, as well as hot and cold beverages to purchase, and a shop selling souvenirs.

Victoria W — Google review

7

Avebury

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Monument

Sights & Landmarks

Avebury Stone Circle is a rural monument consisting of standing stones and 17th-century stables that have been converted into a museum. It is located 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from central Avebury and is considered to be one of the area's iconic landmarks. Apart from the stone circle, there are several other attractions in its vicinity including gift shops, bookstores, pubs, Manor House and gardens, and a barn with outdoor seating for dining.

Lovely place to visit ,not just the stone circle to look at ,there is also, gifts shops, bookstore, pub, Manor House and gardens , barn with seating outside if you fancy a bite to eat..lots of things to see and do. Car parks are near and blue badge holders can park right near the High St..not far (4 miles ) away you have the burial grounds ,all in all fab place to visit if your on your own, couples, with children age doesn't matter..

Angela W — Google review

A lovely walk around the stones, there's quaint cottages, a lovely pub & a cafe/restaurant, plus the house to see so lots to do.Be aware in the car park you need coins or the app and the signal is a nightmare there.

Sarah M — Google review

Great to visit and see the Avebury Stones which are older than Stonehenge and older than the pyramids in Egypt apparently. Lovely place to visit and also a National Trust site and visitor centre

Dominic A — Google review

Magic stones around the village. You can walk through them and touch them.There is more than just one circle and also ancient mounds with lots of history behind them.It is a very recommended visit and if you like to explore everything you need more than just one day.Great views to take pictures all along the village. Great walks!

Marta F — Google review

This is an absolute beautiful and powerful place. Owned and maintained by the National Trust, it is complemented by a beautiful, very old farm, lovely places to eat and shop for souvenirs, and a sweet little museum. Free parking, but also a few places to pay for parking. This area is well preserved, and as I said, has a powerful, peaceful feel to it. I loved being able to touch the stones. I enjoyed this even more than Stonehenge.

Deb G — Google review

I love Avebury. A fascinating stone circle (the largest stone circle in Europe) and a lovely little village! Unfortunately, the National Trust has had to rope off sections of the circle (particularly during school holidays) due to erosion from so many people walking around, but it's still very stunning to see.They have a pub in the middle of the village which offers food and drinks. There's also a small corner shop (very friendly owners) and a few other shops (one being esoteric, another being an independent jeweller).The church and its grounds are very well maintained, and there's a museum that details the history of Avebury.It can get very muddy during rainy periods, and proper walking/hiking boots definitely help you keep traction with the ground!It is a wonderful place to go to during pagan holidays. There's always really friendly people around, and the summer solstice and Samhain (Halloween) celebrations are always great fun! I've visited this site dozens of times, and I dare say I will continue to do so for as long as I'm able to!There are several car parks dotted around, including one near the centre of the village.The only negative to the village at the moment is that the public toilets are STILL not open. They've been closed for a very long time now.

Pan P — Google review

Lots to see here, the stone circle, the Manor and museum and there is a nice national trust shop. Parking is a little outside the town and circle, but there is a direct footpath back away from the road and traffic that brings you to the circle and tourist bits. Toilets and food and drink available.

Karl T — Google review

Great place with a beautiful National Trust property as well.Loads of walks round here as well, the stones are easy to walk around as well, unlike Stonehenge.The national trust property is definitely worth a visit.

Matt B — Google review

I recently visited Avebury and it was an absolutely delightful experience. The weather was perfect, making the day even more enjoyable. The cleanliness of the area was impressive, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The well-located car park made it convenient to explore both the stone circle and Manor, all within a short walking distance. Avebury is a must-visit destination, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable day out.

Marisa F — Google review

Dieser kleine Ort ist magisch mit den ganzen Steinkreisen rund um den Ort. Im Ort selbst haben wir von Anwohnern die frische Milch vom Automaten empfohlen bekommen welche wirklich sehr lecker war und von den örtlichen Kühen ist. Wer möchte kann sich auch noch Sirup in die Milch mischen.(Translated by Google)This little place is magical with all the stone circles around the place. In the town itself, residents recommended fresh milk from the vending machine, which was really delicious and came from local cows. If you want, you can also mix syrup into the milk.

Jensch — Google review

Great day out to Avebury, being able to stand right next to the stones is really quite an amazing experiance, the little farm stead was a bonus. Make sure you go to all of the different sights the area. Easy to spend a full day

Riccardo V — Google review

Absolutely love going here. Having a nice little wonder around. Seeing the stones. Touching the stones. Photos are of Avebury Church. So lovely and peaceful. Parking. Lovely pub on corner, they do some good food with good prices. Second hand bookshop. Some crystal shops.

Tash S — Google review

Stunning walk around the henge and the beautiful stones. Gorgeous small church dating back over 1000 years. The garden of the mansion is exquisite. The mansion is run by some fabulous people who tell you great stories of the house. There is also a small museum. You can try on costumes and even sit on the furniture. A highly recommended day out.

Jon F — Google review

A unique find with this amazing town that is surrounded in mystery ✨️ Avebury is a beautiful place surrounded in giant stones with a lovely village. It's so peaceful and beautiful. Parking can be a bit challenging as there is no phone signal there.

Kate H — Google review

High energy, high vibration place. It's free, no tickets required. You can touch the stones and walk around, sit there and meditate. There's a Cafe just opposite, in case you want to park/ wat etc.

Akanksshaa — Google review

The largest stone circle is about 40 minutes from Stonehenge. It is very well the visit. The stones are really impressive and the energy is palatable. Take your time and enjoy the visit.

Roberto B — Google review

Just spectacular!We visited mid week on a beautiful summer day, free to wander around getting up close to the stones.Sadly the National Trust grounds had just shut but looked worth a visit.All set in a picturesque village that's lost in time, make sure to see the venerable Beech trees.

Michelle W — Google review

It's a beautiful little village with stone circles, how can it not get five stars. The town has a pub, Cafe, shops, free public toilets, lots of history, and is a beautiful day out. I didn't pay to see the Manor and gardens or to go in the museum at 6 GBP, but what I saw was very enjoyable.

Adventure N — Google review

Amazing walks around the huge stone circle and ditch and bank. Free entry and only £7 parking so it's far better value than other major tourist attractions. Large National Trust cafe. Lots to see in the village. Very unique site and incredibly old. Also well worth driving to the Silbury Hill viewing point.

David P — Google review

A wonderful afternoon, especially as our visit to Avebury today was totally unplanned. We were lucky with car park, and loved that we felt immediately the place was alive. A tremendous place to experience & imagine traditional village life. Actually a lot to do and see for free, but we felt so welcomed, having some great chats with wonderful National Trust volunteers and other visitors, that we joined the NT today. Looking forward to regularly returning even if just for a coffee or a stroll 😀 😎

Andy B — Google review

A superb alternative to Stonehenge. Parking in the nearby dedicated carpark (rather than in the village) is highly recommended. You can get up close to the rocks (and sheep!)

Daimon W — Google review

A stunning village and henge. Many stones spread across the village in a circular pattern stand prominently with foot paths to reach them all. Barrows dot the horizon. A great place for families and friends.

Steven R — Google review

A beautiful place I went through when hiking. Lots of ancient history in and around the village.Parking is cash only but £7 for the day isn't terrible.

Chris S — Google review

We visited this place instead of going to see Stonehenge, and it was a pleasant surprise. The site is really vast, and nature is abundant. However, it could benefit from a bit more educational guidance—perhaps a few more signs to help guide visitors. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. The parking outside costs only 6 or 7 pounds, allowing you to park nearby while respecting the site and not disturbing the local residents.

Olivier D — Google review

Although it's a monument within a small village.Parking facilities are on the outskirts..this site is shared with English heritage and National Trust, It's has a few walking trails around the Monument and need to accessed via uneven pathways narrow in places steps,crossing the road to navigate too.The Manor house was unfortunately closed due to the first flood in 300 years.. The gardens are walled in and accessible,But you must remember to pick up a orange tick for the museum at the barn, followed collecting a green ticket for the gardens at the museum..lack of communication with staff here..Also this is an extra cost for some customers..Museum has a wealth of knowledge of the discovery of the stone with a few finds during excavation in the 1930s, The barn is very interesting example of its period..cafe on site in the courtyard, toilet facilities are disabled and child accessible. Gift shop with many treats, plants, blankets,gardening accessories plus much more.Serveral shops, cafe, and public house located in the village..

Cherrie H — Google review

I love this small town in the English countryside. I visited the smaller version of Stonehenge. It was less crowded and more relaxing. I was able to interact with the stones as opposed to Stonehenge.

Tracy M — Google review

Magical experiences to be had at Avebury Stone circle! There’s a stone laid down that vibrates gently if you sit on it. This is because under the soil there is a chalk layer and the rain seeps through creating a positive and negative electrical charge.

Alison C — Google review

Spent a lovely couple of hours wondering through the stones. Also worth checking out the Unhenged coffee shop and cafe at the club house. For a bite to eat. Dog's welcome. X

STEVE S — Google review

An incredible archeology site, we loved walking around the stones..Follow signs for parking, it's only a short walk back past the cricket pitch to the village and stones.

Sean O — Google review

Avebury is a beautiful place to visit. You can walk around the stones, visit the Tolkein Trees, relax in the Red Lion for lunch & pop in to Elements or The Henge Shop for gifts. A very relaxed day 😌

Amanda W — Google review

I love coming to Avebury and I make the trek at least once a year. It's a lovely well kept ancient site and most people visiting are respectful. They have a couple quirky shops relevant to the old world theme and aLovely National Trust cafe and gift shop. The Red Lion pub is the perfect end to a walk around and My husband will happily drive 2 hours for a pint of well water on tap.

Missy S — Google review

Skip overpriced and tumultuous Stonehenge and come to Avebury instead!!Great archaeological site with a powerful energy, nestled in the quaint English countryside. The stone circle is free to visit, and there is a lovely cafe nearby to enjoy a cuppa and a scone.We absolutely loved the leisurely stroll around the monoliths and picturesque village.

Devana — Google review

A much better experience than stone henge! Free to walk around and relax. Not too many people, nice shop.

Lesley W — Google review

It was a nice place for a stroll and lunch in the Red Lion which was good value for money. gift shops were very interesting lots to discover in them and you only pay for parking all day £7 for cars and £10 for campervans National trust members are free I believe.

Mary P — Google review

Actually more impressive than l imagined it's much bigger, the hint should have been the biggest Stone Circle in the world. A very level easy walk around and lots to see, of course they charge for the car park £7 but the rest is free unless you want to visit the museum. National Trust shop as always and l throughly recommend the Red Lion pub and the gift shop opposite is independent and very helpful.The area is dog friendly as you know l wouldn't go otherwise.

Stephen G — Google review

One of those locations that makes you sit back and take stock of life...the reason why our ancient ancestors decided to create such a monument is mind boggling. The time and effort involved must have been off the scale.It has a spiritual feel about it which i loved...I arrived well early and had the site to myself and wandered around this amazing location.A real gem...but it does get busy.

Dave T — Google review

Fascinating place, really powerful vibes from the stones. I spent over 3 hours walking around the site, dog friendly as well,but not inside the small restaurant. Plenty of information at the visitor centre and museum. Village itself is very small, a couple of shops selling the sort of thing you also find in Glastonbury (tarot,candles etc.) And a chain pub. Beautiful area.

Alexander C — Google review

4.7

(9502)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (46)

4.5

(2443)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (47)

Marlborough, SN8 1RF, United Kingdom

+44 370 333 1181

8

Designer Outlet Swindon

Mentioned on

24 lists

Outlet mall

Shopping

Children's clothing store

Clothing store

The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon is an outlet mall located in the heart of the Cotswolds, just outside of Swindon. The outlet mall is home to over 90 stores, with international names like Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Jeans, Boss, Levis and Vans.

Good outlet shops with lots of options. Reasonable prices. Little food options but not that bad. Huge parking which costs £1 for first 5 hours and £12 whole day.

Tausif B — Google review

Large variety of Designer shops, clean and very well maintained. March 2023 when I visited it, I was impressed by the plants that decorated the I sides and outsides of the building.The only thing I would wanted is the option to pay by phone at the car park, which is missing at the moment.Much preferred over the Oracle@Reading.

Fotis M — Google review

Very busy when we visited on 14/6 Saturday around 2pm. We were not able to find parking in their dedicated car parks. But we visited it again on 10/8/24 and it was great experience. Lovely collection of shops and places to relax and eat. Little train goes around taking around shopping centre for elderly and kids. Went to Starbucks and noted kids play area which is a great idea. Adults shop and kids play. Will visit soon again.

Monique T — Google review

This was our second visit to Swindon Deisgner Outlet and must say we were just as impressed this visit as on our first. A great variety of shops held within a converted train yard which makes for a very cool looking centre. Well kept and clean, the Christmas decorations looked beautiful as did the market stalls at the entrance. No doubt we will be back again soon!

Lauren R — Google review

Very festive at the moment. We arrived just as they were opening on Saturday, 10 am, by lunch time it was very busy. You can pay to go on a land train that will take you all the way round so you can see where all the shops are 1st hand before venturing on foot. Some units are smaller than their main shops in towns so the choices will be less. We were very successful on our mission.

Sharon N — Google review

Major brands at outlet prices, ample space for shoppers.Scooters can be hired for people with special needs. Kids cars, train and play area are attractive.Car parking first 30min are free, you must enter your car registration, entry time if not picked automatically.

SA S — Google review

This is situated on the old Great Western Railway works and is impressive how they have mixed the old engineering buildings with the new shops. There are too many shops to mention but, if like me, you don't do shopping, then visit to see the steam engine and look up to see how many overhead cranes you can find👍

Andrew W — Google review

We've been coming here for a few years but this time was the first with my dog she was amazing, and it was also my birthday too. All the shops were super friendly and accepted my dog too.

Starvsblack2 C — Google review

Spent the day in Swindon and visited Designer outlet (Swindon) and highly recommend a visit if you love to shop til you drop. It's a well laid out shopping outlet with many designer brands and the outlet offers 10% off with participating retailers.Great day out for all the family and even has a play area for younger children. Great selection of retailers.

Bree M — Google review

Excellent place for shopping. Lots of variety.Customer services are at its best almost at every outlet.Parking is also reasonable.Needs to have a bit more option of food.

F S — Google review

Easy access, plenty of 🅿️ mid week, a nice atmosphere and west Somerset train theme. Usual coffee shops, limited food hall plus burger/breakfast joint, has a little train called hooter for kids, kids play area and you can see shops on the website but I regularly visit the Vans shop, great discount on the iconic skate shoes, worth a visit

Chris E — Google review

There is nothing not to love about the Outlet. It houses, perhaps, the most collections of designer stores under the same roof in the whole of the South West.The Outlet is well planned and I particularly loved the fact that a little bit of railway history had been incorporated into the building. The West Somerset train stands out and so do the rather colourful rail carts and other railway parts that are suspended on the roof.The Outlet is functional. There is a secluded colourful play area for children. The parking is massive and is free for the first 30 minutes and cost £2 thereafter. There is a car wash/valet service at the car park which offers free parking for its patron.The designer outlets on the premises parade an eclectic collection which includes footwear, clothing, perfume, home decor etc. There is a food court as well with popular brands. There are also food stall for lovers of street food outside the OutletThere is lots of natural lighting and some of the stores have made good use of it to improve their ambience. M&S stands out. The toilet facility is quite clean and overall the Outlet appeared clean and well managed.Loved it and would be going back for more!

Ade — Google review

COOL PLACE TO SHOPI think I’ve been to most of the MacArthur Glen Designer Outlets in the country, and the thing I like about this one is that most of it is covered with a roof, so you’re protected from the elements when shopping (unlike Cheshire Oaks, which is freezing!).Has a nice Christmassy feel during December and the outside stalls selling German sausages and churros are cool. Plenty of shops to see and it’s in a logical order so you could do laps around the place.Only downside: the parking at busy times is painful, so expect to park miles away from the entrance. And the ticket machine takes your money but then doesn’t let you out of the carpark – so always pay at the barrier for your parking with your contactless credit card.

Ninh L — Google review

I found the best bit of Swindon! Top notch shopping mall, giant climbing-maze-wall-type playground for the kids (which makes it very easy to keep an eye on them from a distance!) Also with cafe overlooking!!!! Plus a smaller playground for little children. Good toilets. Food court with plenty of options. Plenty of (paid) parking. Industrial themed building with historic cranes, scales etc with interpretative signage, actual locomotive to view, and even a little miniature (paid) train for families to take a ride around the mall. Right next to STEAM the great western railway museum. If you want a spot of lunch or shopping after visiting the train museum, do not miss this shopping centre! When we visited at Easter 2024 they even had a little indoor hedge-labyrinth Easter trail set up, free, with lollies & colouring activity pack with crayons as the prize when they completed it. Staff were friendly and relaxed. Honestly finding this place has transformed my reluctance to happiness when I need to visit Swindon.

E S — Google review

Loved it here out of all the outlet places I have visited this is way better than the rest.Parking 5 pounds for three hours blue badge holders free just scan your blue badge barcode at barrier on way out.The whole place had a very nice vibe it's built in old engine sheds formally GWR they have retained much character and preserved so much.Toilets very clean the while place was well looked after plenty of seating throughout.Great play area for younger children you can also hire ride in cars for them.Massive range of shops and plenty of places to eat and drink also.Disabled acess is the best I've seen well done to the customer service desk they are great also.

David N — Google review

Good place to buy outlet designer clothes. However sale and clothes range not as good as it used to be. Parking is now £2, which is still relatively cheap. Great location if you live near swindon to shop for quality clothes be over you do nee to look harder.

Rahman A — Google review

Never been here before, it was outstanding better than CV. Very clean all the shops were open, the staff from the shops we visited didn't jump at you, to see if you wanted anything, that was nice to see.The train was a lovely thought for kids and the play area was brilliant very big too.

Tina T — Google review

A great outlet centre with mix of high street favourites such as M&S, Phase Eight and Next alongside Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein with a variety of cafés and restaurants to choose from including two Costas, Starbucks, Five Guys, Wagamamas and Pizza Express. Great play area for under 8's.Beautifully decorated for Christmas with a wonderful winter wonderland area for children.

C K — Google review

Amazing outlet for shopping, lovely indoor decorations, a great variety of shops and prices. Good food court. There’s also a nice train ride that starts from in front of the play area that kids really enjoy. The ride is 3 pounds per person last time I have checked.The kids play area is so well designed and certainly worth checking out.

Soha ( — Google review

Second visit after some years. Much bigger than I remember. Lots of fine brands represented and bargains to be had. Parking: £2 for 5 hours, after which it gets very expensive! So beware, if you want to stay and eat, you might go over the 5 hours. And it's no-ticket parking so make a careful note of your arrival time.

Chris W — Google review

Designer outlet Swindon have many outlets of various branded products of clothes and accessories. It's more than value for money. Sometimes even upto 60% discounts are offered for some items. Moreover there are plenty of other options to spend your time with family. There is kids play area, children's train, baby dress changing rooms, etc. When it comes to food and drink you have all sorts of eateries. The ample parking facility saves your time and unnecessary tension. A best place to visit for shopping branded items and quality products.

K S — Google review

The Swindon Designer Outlet offers a diverse shopping experience with a wide range of brands at discounted prices. With its convenient location and ample parking, it's a shopper's paradise. The layout is easy to navigate, and the food options provide a nice break from browsing. However, occasional overcrowding during peak times can detract from the overall experience. Nonetheless, it remains a great destination for bargain hunters and fashion enthusiasts alike.

Pradeesh B — Google review

It is comfortable in all weathers. Varied stores for all tastes. Easy to spend 5 hours there. Beware after 5 hours of parking the cost rises dramatically. Good choices of restaurants and cafes. A good day out.

PammyS — Google review

Designer Outlet Swindon is a fantastic shopping destination. With a wide range of high-end brands at discounted prices, it’s a shopper's paradise. The layout is spacious and well-organized, making it easy to navigate through the stores. There are also plenty of dining options and cafes to take a break in. The staff are friendly and helpful, adding to the overall great experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for quality products at great prices

Ayman M — Google review

Brilliant spacious outlet with great range of shops and better than online outlet prices. Easy to park although charged. Good food options inside and outside street food options. Mixture of clothes, homewares, beauty, jewellery, cookery, shoe and accessories shops

Mo M — Google review

9

Platform One Cafe

Mentioned on

1 list

$$$$affordable

Cafe

Museums

Specialty Museums

The Platform One Cafe is an excellent eatery located above the STEAM museum. It boasts a wide variety of drinks, snacks, and meals that are reasonably priced. The cafe is well-maintained and clean, with friendly staff providing quick service to customers. Visitors can enjoy their meal while relishing the reconstructed rooms and platforms of the railway's story brought to life through videos and costumed figures.

Second time we visited, great experience

Monika K — Google review

It was a nice little cafe with big queues and not enough staff apart from that I can't complain.

David W — Google review

I visited the museum yesterday which was great. The food choices for lunch were poor and no hot food menus were on displayed so I just had a sandwich and a soft drink. I paid by card and was not offered a receipt. My bank statement shows a payment to Zettle yesterday with a location given as York ( not Swindon!). This cafe could be so much better with a little bit more attention.

Paul H — Google review

Could do a lot better, not a great choice of snacks available. We both had a coffee which was taken back as only luke warm. They were replaced.It really lets the whole museum down as the exhibits inside were really enjoyable to see.Could the cafe take on a GWR period feel to enhance the experience of what is to come inside?

Colin C — Google review

Brilliant cafe attatched to a wonderful museum. Plenty of choice, with choice for any appetite l.

Victoria B — Google review

What a lovely cafe above the STEAM museum. The choice of drinks snacks and meals is very good as well as being very reasonably priced. This was our first visit and we were impressed by the friendly warm welcome from the staff, the speed of service and the cleanliness of the cafe as a whole. We will be returning to enjoy it once again in the near future I'm sure. Thank you.

Jonathan S — Google review

Stopped off here after visiting the museumQuick snack foodHad no tea left and only 1 member of staff doing everything

Rachael J — Google review

Excellent family day out. Really lovely interactive museum. Great day with 1 and 2 year old toddlers but great for adults and all ages between. Staff were fantastic and awesome covid cleaning and setup

Jennifer M — Google review

Limited menu but okay for a family. Quiet the day we visited. It is next to the designer outlet which has a food vourt

Diana M — Google review

Extremely busy, long queues with no communication and the service was dire. If you get around that the food is sub par and overpriced. The internals of the coffee machine were dirty enough to drastically affect the taste and they were really funny about using our own travel mugs despite the fact we weren't allowed proper cups as their dishwasher wasn't working.

Bam G — Google review

For a lover of museum like me, this place is gold. My son also enjoys here a lot. I have a season ticket. The museum is in walking distance... So not a trouble for me going in there. I am not accustomed to the food here... It's okay for me. Not that I will crave for. Staff is good.

Noor A — Google review

4.2

(461)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (50)

4.5

(1619)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (51)

Steam Museum, Fire Fly Ave, Swindon SN2 2EY, United Kingdom

+44 1793 466622

10

Stonehenge

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (52)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (53)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (54)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (55)

Mentioned on

+41 other lists

Historical landmark

Sights & Landmarks

Stonehenge is an ancient stone circle in Wiltshire, England that is best seen as a bus day trip from London. It is possible to do it via public transit (train plus shuttle), by car, or via a private transfer.

The most iconic view in the middle of grasslands where the people made something very outstanding thing for the generations to believe in the stone-era. The Stonehenge was the perfect day trip where you can know how it was made that stones in well shaped without help any architecture instruments to move them. The must visit places in English land where you have to wear gloves if you want to take nice photos and one more jacket if you have not luck with wind.

Prithvi R — Google review

Going to such an iconic landmark on a long weekend, in the middle of the school holidays isn’t for the faint-hearted. But we were determined to give it a shot, having been turned away from the Roman Baths in Bath because they were too busy!Yes, there massive crowds, but still ample parking. The shuttle bus from visitors’ centre to the stones was efficient, and we didn’t have to wait long. I had heard a lot of complaints that you have to admire from a distance, but it’s a great idea!!! From a heritage point of view, people shouldn’t be allowed to climb over the stones. But from a tourist point of view it’s fantastic! If you want to take some photos it is so easy to do so without a heap of other tourists in the way. I loved it! As always, it asks more questions than it answers!The gift shop was a pleasant surprise. There is a lot of the usual cheap and cheerful stuff, but also some more special mementos. None of which were ridiculous it expensive.

Kitty K — Google review

A take back to 5000 years. A must watch place in UK.. World heritage site. A pleasant view and travel back to history. If you are an English heritage or National trust member, access to this place is free. Start from the exhibition centre to know about the history and you can take the free bus from the exhibition centre to the stones. I personally loved the experience. If you are interested in the history, this is a fantastic experience for you.

Muthu V — Google review

What can you say other than this is an absolutely breathtaking site. Upon arrival there are nice facilities to grab lunch and use the restroom. That is a nice perk when you're traveling with small children like we were.

Kimberly K — Google review

We booked a half day tour with Day Tours London that included a ride in an AC bus from London to Stonehenge and back. 100% recommend this UNESCO world heritage site. It's been on my bucket list for a decade and finally got to see it up close. Best to go reach early around 9am and be one of the first ones at the site if you want to take pictures. It starts getting crowded very quickly. There's a car and coach parking near the visitor's centre and then their own shuttle bus takes you to the Stonehenge site. About a 5 min ride from the visitor's centre to Stonehenge. You can check out the visitor's centre and exhibition later on your way back. There's also an a self guided audio tour through their app. It's quite informative. The stones themselves are a definite marvel to look at. The landscape is beautiful. Totally worth the ride and cost.Some cool souvenirs in the tourist center, but the cost can be prohibitive. The exhibition is about Stonehenge and fills in some more historical details about the people that built the Stonehenge and what it may have looked like and how it evolved over the past five thousand years.We were also lucky to catch a Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson enactment right outside the visitor's center by actors from Time Will Tell acting company. Brilliant performance about the mystery of the Stonehenge!

A M — Google review

Great bit of history to visit, the walk from the visitor centre is a nice easy saunter down a straight road for 20 minutes. No need to pay for tickets to see it, but if you buy the tickets you can get closer and take the bus there - I didn't buy the ticket.Possibly needs better signposting for the fact you can actually walk straight through without buying anything.

Charles B — Google review

Definitely worth seeing, once! It’s remarkable that these stones are here at all, but there’s still so much unknown which makes it even more mysterious. I don’t know that I’d feel the need to visit more than once, unless traveling with someone new that hadn’t seen them. We were very lucky to be there on a glorious, warm day.. I highly recommend that! 🙃

Julie R — Google review

We did not want to buy the tickets in advance as the weather was unpredictable that day. It was windy and drizzling hence we could not spend much time there. We used the pathway by the boarder to walk along and have a good look at the Stonehenge. The only difference we felt was the distance and we could not go around. However we felt it was a good decision not to buy tickets because we couldn’t spend much time due to bad weather.

Chamile W — Google review

Most of the time Stonehenge is too crowded to fully enjoy the site, and it was the same last time I took my family there. I'm glad that this time my bf invited me for a ride around the facilities, in the evening, where the traffic is much calmer. We could admire this unique stone formation from a distance, while also enjoying some of the gravel byways nearby ☺️

Anita W — Google review

A tip in advance. Come after 2 p.m., then the rush of visitors decreases significantly. When we came back around 3 p.m., we didn't even have to queue for the shuttle, and the ticket counters were empty.So, now to the topic. There is something mystical about it. It is without a doubt something special. I said many years ago that I had to see Stonehenge, and I have never regretted it.Thank goodness we have Historical Heritage Membership. Firstly, the car park doesn't cost a fee, the entrance is free and you don't have to queue for hours at the ticket office. The single entrances are really expensive.Nevertheless, you can't miss such an important site.There are also many other things to discover around the visitor centre. Currently, in July 2022, there is a small excavation site for children.

Marcus S — Google review

It's actually pretty cool. Yes, there are a lot of tourists and the entry fee seems very steep (26 GBP!) and apart from on the Summer Solstice, you can't get very close, but I still enjoyed the visit.

Brett W — Google review

Awe inspiring monument to visit, the stones are spectacular. You just have tons of other tourists to deal with, walking up there instead of the bus is a good way to go. The inevitable souvenir shop selling tacky 'Neolithic' things does cheapen the experience.

Karl H — Google review

Mesmerising place to visit. I was awestruck even though I’ve seen plenty of other stone circles around in UK. The stone sizes are massive. You are not allowed to go into the circle. There is a rope which keeps the visitors a good distance away from the stones and the circle for good reasons. Would definitely recommend and might visit again.

Rithvik R — Google review

A must visit place in the UK. Most famous tourist attraction and the heritage site in England. Entry is free for the English heritage members. Others can buy their tickets at the entrance counters. The site is little far from the entrance counters. They are providing a bus service to go to the stones area. It is included in the entry fee. Parking is available and it is free for everyone. Toilets and the restaurant are at the entrance. No washrooms in the site. Even you can walk without using the buses. It’s like 10-15 minutes walk.Due to the wind it’s bit cold at anytime, so make sure you have jackets on your hands. Nice environment. But since it is the most iconic place it is always crowded. You can buy tickets online and it will save your time as no need to wait in the queues to get tickets.

Natalia K — Google review

We went there on a Sunday after seeing Bath. We got the tickets from their website on the same morning that included bus trip till the stones as well as some places in Salisbury as well. It was a pleasant journey and there was no wait time when we reached around 12 PM. It was very peaceful even though there were many tourists.

Shivangi S — Google review

Great time spent. We went during February half term and there were activities for the children to try. My children really enjoyed these.Good quality food served in the cafe.My son really enjoyed the shuttle bus, these were very frequent.Was not so busy we could not get an uninterrupted photo of the stones.

Emma — Google review

Experiencing Stonehenge at sunrise is truly enchanting, as the ancient stones bask in the gentle glow of dawn, casting a spell of mystery and wonder. Choosing the free path, rather than the paid one, offers a serene journey, away from the hustle and bustle, allowing for a deeper, more personal connection with this historic monument and its natural surroundings.

Ali J — Google review

A visit to Stonehenge is truly marvelous. Finally seeing it in person is a memorable experience. Despite the crowds on a long weekend, everything is impressively well managed. The clean toilets and the cafeteria offering tasty warm quick bites, soups, and hot drinks add to the comfort. With ample seating areas, it's a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal.The shuttle ride to the stones is really amazing specially for those who can’t walk.Else it’s a 30 mins walk one way to stones from the parking lot.We booked a day tour from get your guide to avoid hassle, which has ticket included.Recommend booking tickets in advance if visiting on your own due to long queues.Overall, I highly recommend visiting; it's a fantastic experience.

Sneha S — Google review

Love the view! Well at the end of the day yeah it’s a bunch of rocks but the history behind and around it is quite fascinating. They have a visitor center with a museum, cafe and a souvenir shop as well. It’s a whole experience! They have Shuttle buses from the visitor center to the location of the Stonehenge which is included in the entrance ticket.If you’re like me, your experience will depend on the weather, so try your best to make sure to visit there on a sunny day!

Milan T — Google review

It is pricy but worth a visit. The exhibition room is very informative and a must stop before going out on site. It really helps you appreciate the ancient history of the landscape.If you plan to buy the combined bus tour with Stonehenge and Cathedral visit ticket, it is best to arrive by 10 am and go to the cathedral 1st. It closes for evening service at 4 pm.

Yui K — Google review

Beyond my expectations! A must visit. We were lucky to book a private tour and we were able to walk inside. Amazing experience. Easy access. Staff is extremely helpful. Bus ride to location was perfect. You have the choice to walk some of the trails which is amazing.

Khamille B — Google review

We arrived at 7pm, and parked down a gravel track just off the main road and walked up to the stones on the public footpath. Lovely views at sunset, had a chat with the security guard on duty, family photos taken and a hasty retreat to the car from the bitterly cold wind.

Joanne F — Google review

We arrived on a coach bus(coming from our cruise) as Stonehenge was opening. There was no traffic going there and barely anyone in the parking lots. The facilities were beautiful and blended well into the landscape. Arriving at opening on a weekday, the ticket line had no more than 10 groups waiting. The cafe was a wonderful surprise with great food and coffee options. The gift shop has a great selection of all things Stonehenge.You can either walk to Stonehenge or take the bus from the ticket center. Super quick and easy ride. We arrived and there was a ton of opportunity to take a picture without a lot of people around.We did see cars parked along a road and you can walk the dirt path, but you won’t be able to get as close or read any of the information provided as you walk around.You can also see the Stonehenge from the road. There was a lot of traffic when we were leaving around 12pm.Overall, it was a great experience. I recommend going at opening and leaving before the crowds start.

Phon M — Google review

This is definitely a tourist destination and they want to make sure they are capturing all the visitors they can. They create the parking lot and visitor center a bus ride away from the actual monument. You can walk, which is about 20 minutes and is recommended on a nice day. Enjoyed the videos in tourist center. Glad it was part of National Trust. Recommend getting the pass if you are in the UK for any length of time. Worth the investment.

Jim B — Google review

This has been a lifetime in the waiting. This visit ranks up there amount the best. I went to the Great Pyramids two years ago and now Stonehenge. I was surprised how far you had to travel to get there. It was raining off and on but it did ruin the experience. Even if you don't like history please if you are in the United Kingdom travel to this amazing wonder. There is so much to see and do here. It is not just a pile of rocks. It is our past and our present and our future all rolled in to one experience. England is a beautiful country and should not be missed.

Timothy W — Google review

arrived at Stonehenge via a tour with Evan Evans tour service. we arrived about 10 am which is a great time. later the crowds are outrageous. your dropped of in the coach lot. then a few minute walk to the shuttle stop waiting time was about 15 minutes. the buses are cramed full, so if you are assistance required make the loader aware so you can get a seat. then a 20 minute ride to the site. upon arrival you'll be amazed at the history and mystical lore of the circle. although many theories are available here. I'm not convinced anyone really knows the true purpose of this site. awesome photo opportunity. had a limited time, so we made our way back. The shuttle waiting time was considerably longer so plan accordingly. we arrived back at the gift shop and canteen grabbed some knickknacks and a drink. then back to the coach. excellent site perfect place for the entire family.

Thomas H — Google review

Great history behind Stonehenge and is definitely worth the hype and popularity. You will need to buy a ticket or the membership which is the English Heritage yearly pass to get up and close to the monument.There are 2 ways of getting to Stonehenge from the ticket building/carpark.1. Take the bus which is included with the ticket.2. You can walk there in about 20mins.We took the 20min walk there and took the bus back. There are a couple of things to do after you have seen Stonehenge, back at the ticket area. Walk around and see the possible houses the worker lived in when they were constructing Stonehenge. You can also visit the Stonehenge exhibition, filled with it’s history.Make sure to check the opening and closing times before heading out. Waterproof shoes would be good for a wet day and a thick coat. There are footpaths, so it doesn’t get too muddy at all.Entry to Stonehenge closes at 3pm although the place closes at 5pm. We visited in December at around 2:30 and it was perfect for sunset photos!!

Raif V — Google review

We had a majestic journeyMy recent visit to Stonehenge was nothing short of awe-inspiring. As I approached the ancient monument, the sheer magnitude and mystery of the standing stones left me captivated. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of history, and the well-preserved site offered a glimpse into the ingenuity of our ancestors.The visitor center provided a comprehensive introduction to Stonehenge's significance, combining informative exhibits with cutting-edge technology. The audio guide was a valuable companion, offering detailed insights into the history, construction, and possible purposes of this iconic landmark.Walking around the stone circle, I marveled at the precision with which these massive stones were arranged, pondering the age-old questions that surround Stonehenge's origins. The preservation efforts and the ability to get up close to the stones added to the overall experience, allowing for a personal connection with this archaeological wonder.The surrounding landscape, with its vast plains and distant horizons, enhanced the magical aura of Stonehenge. Visiting during different times of the day offered unique perspectives, each casting a different spell on the ancient site.In conclusion, Stonehenge is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, offering a profound journey through time in a setting that resonates with mystery and grandeur. My visit was an unforgettable exploration of a timeless masterpiece, leaving me with a deep appreciation for the marvels of human achievement. BThanks

D K — Google review

This was a unique experience, we had to walk up to the site or take a bus provided by the facilities there..endless land that was scenic. The stones are magnificent to behold. Persons were at a safe distance and it had a good influx of persons for the summer. The cafeteria had a variety of things to choose from and it's a great outing

Cafian A — Google review

Much better than I thought it would be. Had an aura about the site.You can either take the bus to the stones, or walk. Walking takes about 30 mins and you have great views of the surrounding land or the bus which takes a couple of minutes.Good cafe and facilities in the visitor centre. I went at 1400 on a Saturday and it was very busy.Buy tickets in advance if you can, it saves you so much time in queues.

Ryan H — Google review

We loved visiting Stonehenge, first time for my child and he loved it. Especially the village and example stone to pull. We were also lucky enough to take part in the Lego activity, which was very fun and loved seeing the finished thing on social media after.The shuttle bus was a great idea for people who can't walk that far. We will probably book again for the special time going in and up to the rocks.

Katherine M — Google review

Thanks to English Heritage we got in for free but felt the entrance fee to be great value as so much history to see with plenty of information We caught the courtesy bus to the site as a long walk. Buses were running non stop so no waiting time. Thoroughly enjoyed our time there

Sue H — Google review

Beautiful site. It requires a ticket and bus ride to the monument. Bus ride is about 5 min, but you can walk , it is about a 1,5 mile walk. Sometimes it is a line for the bus ride, we were waiting for 40 min, but it is a weekend. It's less crowded on weekdays and later in the afternoon. You cannot get close to the monument, it's fenced, but you can walk around, take pictures, it takes about 10 minutes overall.

Marika Y — Google review

The world heritage’s must visit, people said its just a rocks. Yes they are just a rock but come with history and interesting facts to learns.Tickets are expensive but this is must visit site. Advice to visit the museums to learn about the facts of the stones.Well organise with buses in and out to the site, parking is great, tickets can be book online in-advance to save your time.

Bewtie B — Google review

Visiting Stonehenge is a captivating experience, rich with history and mystery. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, built around 5,000 years ago, offers insights into ancient engineering and astronomical alignments. The visitor center provides detailed exhibits to enhance your understanding. To avoid crowds, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Don't forget to book your tickets in advance to secure a convenient time slot and enjoy the site's full splendor."

Varun R — Google review

We went for the summer Solstice, something I've never experienced here before. It was well organised but busy. I must confess that I did enjoy devoting time to watch the sunset, the moon rise and the morning sunrise.

Helen L — Google review

I recently visited Stonehenge, and it was an awe-inspiring experience. The site's historical significance and mysterious allure were palpable as soon as I arrived. The arrangement of the stones and the sheer scale of the monument left me in wonder. The visitor center provided excellent information, with engaging exhibits and a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who built Stonehenge. The audio guide was particularly helpful, offering insightful commentary throughout the tour.Walking around the stones, I was struck by their ancient majesty and the enigmatic atmosphere that surrounds them. The surrounding landscape was also beautiful, adding to the overall experience. However, I do wish there had been more opportunities to get closer to the stones themselves.Overall, Stonehenge is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and archaeology. It’s a truly unique site that offers a deep connection to our past. Highly recommended!

N D — Google review

Very nice historical landmark. Quite mysterious, yet there are many people. We got the tickets so you could go up close to Stonehenge and see it well, but we aren’t allowed to touch it, of course. It’s truly incredible.

Amit S — Google review

I visited 12/29/23:A must place to visit! History before your eyes! It’s fascinating to see how people lived back then! And the engineering they did to place those stones is amazing! If you do plan on going, plan on driving about two hours- if you’re coming from London. Once there, you will see the ticket office. Then you will proceed to their museum. They have a replica of a village they lived in (Very Impressive). Please keep in mind, the stones are far from the visiting center but they do provide buses or if you like you can walk their trail, so please wear good shoes. You can’t touch the stones, it’s been roped off so don’t plan on it. I hear that you can do a private tour that will allow you to walk around the stones but I didn’t see it. They do have a cafeteria that serves good food and snacks and they also have restroom facilities. If you are still undecided— the stones are sinking so you may never get a second chance to see them— go and check them out!

Sabino C — Google review

What a nice day exploring ancient England . The ticket is quite pricey but we enjoyed the visit and took lots of lovely pictures. The museum is certainly a must visit as it provides valuable information about the history of the magical place . Avoid the gifts shops is very expensive

JennySkyIsTheLimit — Google review

Yep, of course we went to Stonehenge! What an amazing place, the weather was awesome, and while there were quite a few other people there with us, it wasn't too terribly crowded. I think most of the crowds would be showing up on the solstice, which was just couple of days away. It was wonderful to be and just soak up the thousands of years of history that encompasses this place.I'd recommend taking the bus from the visitor's center to the site, unless you want a decent walk on your tour. And if you're looking for items to take home with you, they have a great gift shop in the visitor's center, and of course, great bathrooms.And just a heads up, the next "services", such as petrol/diesel, food, etc. are on your way to or from the site, not at it.

Allen W — Google review

really nice, not busy at all.you can walk there or take a free bus from the entry/car park to the monument. it’s wheelchair accessible.there’s an audio guide and a quest for children to be entertained and learn about history.

Nef B — Google review

If you can walk to the stones instead of taking the bus, I recommend it. It's a nice walk, and on the way back you can go through the area nearby to see ancient burial mounds.

Andrea — Google review

Lovely place full of culture and history. Do not get disappointed is a long trip for a short stay at the grounds. This place only has Stonehenge and a side museum. Is very difficult to reach by local transport. Better if you drive or take a tour. They have a restaurant, coffee shop, souvenir shop, you can’t drive to the stones you must take the local bus however you can walk 30 mins approximately. Is better but tickets in advance

Ljubica B — Google review

Beautiful and historic place to visit. Highly recommend joining English Heritage prior to arrival, saves much time waiting in line to buy tickets. Very good interpretive center built since last visit (many years ago). Walk out ‘To The Stones’, then take the shuttle back, weather permitting.

James V — Google review

Was closed when we got there and the security guard told us to go to a site where the caravan park to access the site about five minute walk from the caravan park like a dirt road would suggest to driver very slow as the holes were massive could smash your sump but slow n steady was fine its like a 5 min walk the site was that far if u want to get closer would suggest to book and not use the public path for me it was good enough. The security was amazing very friendly told us info around the area about the burial mounds and the pole things around the side

Atif H — Google review

Terrific - it is a "must do" when in the UK. You have the option of doing your own thing or booking a private tour (which allow you to walk inside the compound). It is pretty easy access, and the Staff are very helpful. You can also walk some of the trails - which we would recommend, and they are pretty good.

Norm P — Google review

Definitely worth the trip. There's something about visiting something so mysterious that has stood the test of time, yet we still don't know what it is or what it was used for. Great energy here.

Brian O — Google review

Amazing because of how old it is. A few buses run between the site and parking lot once every 10ish minutes, but the wait can be longer in peak hours. Alternatively you can walk to the site. It's nice to see it from the trail, but should've bought a tour that allows you to go into the circle. You can walk the trail at your own pace.

Luis D — Google review

Remarkable place. A lot has been written about it. But seeing the actual stones gives a good vibe. Keep in mind this is a tourist hotspot. It can be very crowded. Buy tickets in advance to skip the waiting lines.

Erwin Z — Google review

Visited this historical landmark recently, and what an experience it was. The ambiance takes you back in time, making you feel a part of its rich and intriguing history. The stone structures are impressive, with their size and how they are careful organized. The surrounding greenery adds a layer of peace to the whole place. Despite the crowd, the information provided was detailed and helpful. Perfect place for history buffs and nature lovers. The view at sunrise is especially breath-taking.

Md S — Google review

The visitor centre was lovely. All the staff were nice. And it was good that you could take a bus up to the stones. I’d definitely recommend buying tickets beforehand though. Cheaper if you buy online and you don’t have to wait in line that long. Also make sure you scroll down to the last bit of the email and download the app, it comes with a guided audio tour. Somehow we were the only people doing that however. It would be nice if they advertised that a little more on site. And I have to say some signs which direction you’re supposed to walk would have been helpful. About 80% of the people walked around the wrong way. Since a majority of the world is used to driving on the right side, you also get used to everything else being the right way around and not the left.Coming early is also recommended, if you want pictures without other tourist on them.We even saw Gertrude! She’s a great bustard that comes for a few weeks every year to hang around the stones and then goes back to France.

Maria-Claudia H — Google review

We did the English Heritage after hours tour. This gave us access to the stones after the tour center was closed with a guide and 30 max people. Security guards were there as well since access to the stones is prohibited. A few rules but don’t touch them is the main one. I don’t know if you knew (I didn’t) that when you’re standing in the middle of the stones, you could hear yourself and conversations amplified and echoed. Crazy!!

Dan G — Google review

We were excited to visit this world heritage site! We got access through the Stonehenge Tour company which made it easy to take a bus to the site and tickets in hand (huge lines). We decided to walk to the site which runs parallel with the bus line. It was a pleasant stroll but we appreciated the bus back. We took our time enjoying the site and even got to witness a protestor. The food at the cafe was okay, typical fare that was slightly underwhelming and overpriced. It was a once in a lifetime visit and glad we got to go.

Charlene R — Google review

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Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

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Wildlife park

Outdoor Activities

This family-friendly park has a large area for getting up close with 260+ animal species, including lions, rhinos, zebra and giant anteaters. The park is open on weekends only until Thursday 10 February 2022, but regular opening hours resume afterwards.

Lovely park! It's well laid out and presented, with lots of interesting animals to see. It's a good size too - Easy to walk around, though there is also a little train that you can hop on if you prefer (which was quite a popular option).The restaurant serves quite basic food, but equally, it's all you need really to replenish - I noticed a lot of people brought their own picnic kits with them, which I'd definitely consider for next time!Really enjoyable day out. 😊

Kendall B — Google review

Love this place and have visited for many years. Getting in was a palaver as it took longer to get from Burford roundabout than it did to get the there from Oxford! Some information via social media would have helped. We had no idea why the queue was so long and as we had already purchased tickets we waited. Once in the park you weren't aware of how busy it was unless you wanted food/ drinks /toilet. If you wanted the train you'd be better off later in the day as the queue was insane. Everything was pretty much as I remembered. I didn't quite understand why they had closed off one end of the walk through bird/wallaby /tapir enclosure? It made it a bit of a trek to walk back out again instead of simply adding pads to the exit. Especially as the entry ones had dried out. That was the only disappointing part of the place. Many animals weren't there and the ground around the wallabies was dry and simply mud. Overall its a great value day out. Take a picnic and be prepared to wait a while to actually access the park. It's a great place to visit if you have limited mobility as it pretty flat with good pathways.

Lisa D — Google review

A great day out for the whole family. Very well laid out with plenty of facilities around the site. Beautiful landscape and a wide variety of natural enclosures containing a wide variety of fascinating animals. Saw the penguins being fed with a free talk about them which was great. Large play park for kids and a decent restaurant with a good selection of hot and cold foods. Well worth a visit.

Sumpop — Google review

Visited during the school holidays and was expecting the place to be completely packed with families everywhere when I saw the huge amounts of people going in...but this was not the case once inside. The park has lots of open spaces and ample benches for those in need of a rest, which is always welcome when running around after kids!The train is a great way of seeing the site and a number of the larger animals, but be prepared to queue!Food and drinks were reasonably priced and of a good standard (the sausage rolls were especially tasty!)Overall, we spent the majority of the day there but didn't get round to seeing everything, probably as a result of the large play park which kept the kids occupied for ages.

Chris G — Google review

Honestly an amazing zoo/park. So much for kids to do also. Probably one of the best zoo’s in the UK. The train is well worth catching a ride on as it takes you round the entire park. The kids park is absolutely brilliant however as always with these places the food is terrible. Nothing changes here its horrid. We have been 6/7 times now and just take our own lunch with us. I have no issue spending money on food but it needs to be good food. Such a shame they dont cater for people who like something other than frozen beige food…. But its normal at these types of places. Would be 5* if you could get a nice lunch

Jason R — Google review

Amazing place I will keep coming back to over and over again. The only downside for me is the restaurant options - very low quality food served, both cold and hot, I would recommend taking a picnic with you, and just get an ice cream there, excellent choice of Kelly's ice cream!Slightly cheaper tickets if you book at least a day before, ample parking, good facilities, excellent staff, animals looks very happy and well cared for.

Julia B — Google review

One of the best park and gardens I have ever visited! Beautifully laid out and the animals well cared for. Large enclosures that are dedicated to the animals, not the visitors. Lots of foliage giving lots of privacy to the occupants.The gardens, all I can say is wow! An ideal place to take the kids and a picnic for the day.

Peter G — Google review

Very impressed, and definitely recommend visiting! I've been to lots of wildlife parks, but this one is different to all the others. It has it's own unique touch that makes it stand out. The park is easy to get around and the map will come in handy. It took us around 3-4 hours to go around the whole park, and luckily it wasn't too busy that day. I think almost every animal was out and about, so we got to see most of them being active. Also recommend going on the train that goes around the park - remember to wave!There are a few places to eat in the park, including a restaurant and kiosks. Reminder that this park is dog friendly! Dogs are allowed in the park. Walking around the park we saw a lot of dogs. I thought this was a nice idea, since many wildlife parks and zoos don't want dogs. All together, the visit was nice and would definitely go again sometime!

E — Google review

Such a nice zoo.Booked online, was straight forward. The lady asked for the code to retrieve tickets. It’s quiet busy but the queue is going quickly. Massive car park!The itself is very clean, plenty of greens and dog friendly! Some places inside do not allow dogs.Perfect for families.Rhinos, giraffes, you name it.. the animals were in good health so I assume that they are taking good care of them!Beautiful getaway. Fascinating creatures!

Zaid H — Google review

Fantastic place to visit for the day and set in a beautiful location. I've never been somewhere where you can get so close to the animals! This place feels so much more natural than a zoo and is clearly looked after. The price is well worth it and actually on the cheap side in my opinion, I wouldn't mind paying more for entry and I'm sure it would help out so much! The main restaurant was a fair wait at lunch but there was a huge selection of homemade food and the staff were brilliant. Special mention to the lads clearing the tables as they were working so hard but going out their way to help others at the same time 😊

Sion B — Google review

Never been to a Wildlife Park like this one. Especially with allowing people to bring their own dogs. Different. The way it's laid out is so easy going & not herded in one direction. The gardens are gorgeous & well looked after. Bring a picnic!

Quinte M — Google review

Really great day out and loads of different animals to see. Best thing is you can take your dog. We go to see all the animals with her except for the reptile house but if your in pairs you can go in one at a time . Plenty of parking available and facilities.

Ste — Google review

What a lovely park. Extremely clean and tidy. Big car park with disabled parking right next to entrance. Right from get go from the ticket office to gift shop were Extremely friendly and helpful. We were by giraffes and daughter had her assistance dog with her and I asked a lady who worked there if assistance dogs were allowed into giraffes and she said sorry I don't know I'm just a gardener. I told her that's a great job and was doing a great job helping to keep the garden's immaculate and offered to check. All the gardens were great. There are still lots of flowers to see blooming. There is a massive play area for kids with a huge tree house and a smaller one for younger children. A big rope bridge . A big pyramid climbing frame and lots more to do. The cafe area was nice and clean and lots to choose from. Chicken chips and beans were great. Good portion and jacket potatoes were tasty. Lots of seating with a big glass enclosure with animals in there . Gift shop were stocked well also. It will be great to take the grandchildren there next summer in better weather.

Patrick B — Google review

Always a wonderful experience. All the animals are happy, well fed and cared for. The grounds are kept in immaculate condition. Just a great day out. We love it!

Jessica G — Google review

Truly wonderful place to visit and the best part you don't have to leave your pet dog home alone or tied up in a kennel as they are welcome here. The animals all look well looked after and many are in open enclosures not cooped up in tiny cages. Plenty of places to just stop and sit and let the world pass by while you soak in your surroundings. Easy toilet access as well as places to get refreshments if you choose. Plenty of picnic areas as well and ample parking.

Bee S — Google review

We had a great day out at Cotswold Wildlife Park. We took our dog with us who also enjoyed it. She particularly loved the Red Panda's and Giant Tortoise and all the new smells. There were signs to show which bits dogs weren't allowed to go in so it was very clear in those areas. But most of it is dog friendly which is awesome because we've really missed going to zoos since we've got our little rescue dog, not that we'd change her for anything! We went on a Wednesday and it was relatively quiet apart from some school trips. We spent several hours here, and saw most of the animals, although we did accidentally skip the lions which was annoying! So don't make that mistake! I love how close you can get to the animals here, and I also love all the gardens and flowers, so beautiful! We booked our tickets online before we went which works out cheaper.

Dawn B — Google review

Fantastic place. You can get so close to the animals. The gardens are just stunning. Had a fab time with my bestie here. Really lovely girls day out! Great value. Even the food was nice in the cafe and not bad prices. Will be back if I’m in the area again. Need to do a ‘experience’ next time.

Sarah M — Google review

This was our first visit, and it was so lovely. We will definitely return. I love that everything is more or less outside. We took a picnic (strongly advise) as you can go back to your car as much as you like so you don't have to carry it around with you. There are plenty of grassy areas for you to have a picnic and also benches.We visited Easter Saturday, and it was busy, but not uncomfortable. The children's park area was probably the busiest area we saw/briefly played in.We would have liked to have a ride on the little train but the wait time was just too long for us (30 minute wait with 3 young children probably not the best 😅) so maybe next time that should be first on our list!All in all the animals were great, got to touch/stroke a snake too. 🐍 And it was a wonderful day.

Char W — Google review

We went mid week during the school hols and it was packed, this is not a problem though as the park is huge.I'd recommend taking a picnic as food queues are long during peak times.Its a beautiful day out, the flowers and plants around the park are stunning.The animals appear really well looked after and the little farm park area where children can touch the goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducklings, etc is really cute.There is a little train with stations around the park that you can hop on and off of, it toots and the kids absolutely love it.If you want to wear your kids out, this is the place to go.

Kim L — Google review

It’s a great wild life park.We visited on May Spring public Holiday- nice sunny day. It’s strongly recommended to book tickets in advance as the online tickets are £2 cheaper. The place has ample car parking place- shouldn’t be a concern.It’s home for variety of animal friends all across the world.There is a recreational train that circulates the park is a fun ride.Lot of food options available. Would recommend to carry a Mat, as it’s a good picnic destination as well.

SaiKaT S — Google review

A fantastic day out, lots to see and the grounds and gardens are absolutely beautiful. The whole place is immaculately clean. Lots of picnic areas and benches to sit at to just sit back, look and enjoy.A wide variety of animals to see...A must is a visit to see the penguins at feeding time...most entertaining...and seeing the rhino's in front of the stately home was amazing...would definitely recommend. We spent around 4 hrs or so here and would definitely say is a full day out if you don't want to rush and sit and have a picnic

Gaenor C — Google review

Very Beautiful and picturesque location for this lovely Wildlife Park. Lots of different animals, insects, reptiles and birds to see and a couple of enclosures where you can get up close to some also. Large picnic areas and cafe, plus snack kiosks situated around too. A small train also takes you across some of the park. The gardens are exotic and also feature lots of different flowers and plants. Not a big range of larger type animals but an admission price for under £20 for adults is a real bargain for what you do get to see.

Paul W — Google review

Great day out, we really enjoyed it. Lots of animals to see, beautiful grounds. Areas to have a picnic. Ample parking too! We were excited to see the giraffes and rhinos. I was also looking forward to seeing the red pandas but unfortunately they were hiding in the trees when we visited.

Zaibs — Google review

What a wonderful place. The grounds and gardens are beautifully laid out and superbly stocked with plants of all sorts. The the animals are well cared for and have plenty of space. We were delighted to see baby rhinos. There's interesting information about each one. You can walk round or take the little trainThe cafe and shop are well stocked and extremely clean and all the staff are hands on and extremely friendly and helpful. The cafe food was fresh and varied.There are picnic places all round and we were able to take the dog. Incidentally the ice-cream kiosks around the grounds sell doggie ice cream. However I'll be going again without him so we can spend longer. Understandably there are areas dogs can't go so we had to alternate who went in. To sum up its an hour and a half journey from our home to this beautiful destination but so worth the trip. It was our first visit but we'll be frequent visitors from now on. Can't wait to return.

Ros S — Google review

Came here on an educational trip and BY far the best out of the zoos we visited that term. Enclosures are well thought out and animal welfare is definitely at the forefront of this zoo. Also DOG FRIENDLY. Which is a huge bonus!!

Lauren C — Google review

Was pleasantly surprised by the size of this place. Ample parking, didn’t feel too crowded even during summer holidays, regular toilet stops, great selection of animals (better than London Zoo in my humble opinion), large enclosures for animals, lots of shade and picnic areas to eat, fun train for kids, play area and obstacle course for kids.Overall an enjoyable place to spend a day for adults and children.Only downside is the toilets were not in form. One baby chasing had no lock and smelt really bad (in the restaurant).Restaurant food was tasty but portion size on the small side.

Artful T — Google review

We absolutely love visiting here, especially with it being super dog friendly! My boys fed the giraffes on our last visit which was such an amazing experience! The lady in charge was fab with them both, full of knowledge and answered all their questions. The food is nice but very pricey. Lovely gift shop too.

Amy H — Google review

There are so many things to like about this venue, even before talking about the animals. The venue sells out quickly due to restricted numbers as a result of grass car parking issues for the overflow, which gives the feeling that the Park is busy but you have ample room to move around without being on top of other visitors. I have never been to a Wildlife Park where you can get so close to the animals (see photos); this is very interesting for both adults & children alike. The Park is neither too big nor too small, nothing is really far from anything else & you don't get tired walking around. There is a good outdoor play area for the children & a good restaurant/cafe should you not have brought a picnic. Remember to take a ride on the train (extra £) to complete the day out. Although there are maps of the Park located at various point around the site, my one criticism is that there is a total lack of signposts anywhere to point you in the directions of the animals you want to see.

Nigel H — Google review

Wonderful place. Animals look happy and well taken care of. Lots of baby animals out at the moment, it's great to see a zoo which clearly has successful breeding programs working. Quite busy but due to the layout of the zoo, there were no choke points or places. Lots of grassy areas to sit and enjoy food and weather.

Ella-May W — Google review

Always a great day out, all the animals are well looked after with an abundance of space and somehow still easy enough to spot. The enclosures are maintained beautifully and I wish other Zoos would follow their lead. The grounds are beautiful and makes for great walks, the food is always amazing, even offering decent gluten free options. Well worth a trip.

Christi — Google review

Amazing, beautiful and a huge place with a lot of wild animals. 😍 Very clean everywhere. 😊🥰 It is not a simple zoo, of course, not a Safari park, but everyone can see the animals very closely,nice joy and good experience for children and adult as well. 😍 I also like that this park is dog friendly so I was glad to take my doggy's with me,and show her the wild animals. 😊💗 My doggy also really enjoyed 🥰 I highly recommend for everyone to visit of this wildlife park.

Biczó B — Google review

Nice place, great for kids. Had a pleasant day out. Farm animals to lions and giraffes.A park is also available for kids,with a small train ride. It's definitely a place for families, but everyone can enjoy it.Had a good walk around the garden and grounds. Had a picnic on this occasion,Picnic areas are available around the grounds, but a cafe is available. The food looks good.All the animals were out and looked content within their own environment, which was nice to see. Booking in advance is recommended, especially on weekends and school holidays.

Nick T — Google review

Great place to visit for family and friends with kids. Conveniently located, however, unfortunately not accessible by public transport. Huge collection of animals with options to see some of them from very close proximity. It has a very nice collection of reptiles as well. There are a huge number of bird species as well. The details of all the animals/ reptiles/birds are given to have more information about them. They have a nice variety of restaurants for takeaway and dine in as well. I think there was a pub as well but unfortunately I was not able to visit it as I had to drive. Overall, it was a very nice place to have a day out.

Abhijeet R — Google review

Really great place to visit - highly recommend for all ages. Large enough to comfortably walk around and see everything. Small train as well which is perfect for the kids! All the enclosures are very well maintained and all their residents are more than happy to pose for pictures! A real gem of a place.

Karen B — Google review

Great day out at the cotswold wildlife park.Loads of parking available which is free, also lots of disabled parking bays which is brilliant.Lots to see at the park, the grounds are lovely. So if the weather is nice ideal to take a blanket and picnic with you.Dog friendly which is a bonus.The train that goes through out the park is great £2 per adult £1 per child free for under 3. They accept card or cash . Be prepared to queue for the train.

Lania L — Google review

Wow, this place really is worth a visit! It was absolutely fantastic! It has a great mix of animals, gardens, nature and walks. I can honestly say that this is the best maintained zoo/wildlife park I have ever visited. The entire park was in immaculate condition, the animal enclosures were fantastic; large, spacious and incredibly clean. There was a great variety of food and drinks available at reasonable prices and a great gift shop. The car park is a very short walk from a rather vast grassed area with lots of space and benches available, ideal for a picnic with a view of the White Rhinos. Overall I was very impressed and will definitely be visiting again.

Joshua L — Google review

Took our grandson here and we were all very impressed. Tonnes of animals and creatures. You can get some close. Park is spacious and not crowded. Took 5 hours to get around with a couple of stops for Refreshments. Really good value for money. You can also picnic within a few metres of the zebra and rhino fields. Top day out. Highly recommended x

Graham G — Google review

It's one of the better wildlife parks/zoos we've been to. It's a great layout and easy to navigate around.Great for the whole family!The restaurant has a good selection of food and all tastes good.Happily, go there again and again.

Lyndsay B — Google review

Amazing day out! Went with my husband & dog, great animals, dog friendly & a great day out. Brought tickets online & saved money. There was a little wait to get in, but we turned up at opening time of 10am. Would recommend taking a picnic as main restaurant was super busy but lots of smaller refreshments stand available throughout the park. Dog friendly except free flying bird area & restaurant

Sami G — Google review

What a lovely park, so clean and so much to see, really does fill up a day. There is something for everyone. With feeding at specific times for some animals too. An amazing play park for all ages, my girls loved it. We had a fabulous day can't wait to go and explore again!There was a little train for extra charge which took you round the park takes about 10 minutes.

Lois W — Google review

Enjoyable day out, busy. Wide range of animals. Was clean and well set out. Fair price. The restaurant was good. Would recommend a day out here.My only gripe is the train is slightly uncomfortable and has one station. It is a loop, it would be nice if it had a second one that dropped you off at the other side of the park.

James B — Google review

Wow! What an amazing experience! Must to visit, definitely get your moneys worth. Massive park, lots of space for most of the animals, beautiful grounds, very clean and well maintained, dog friendly, apart some enclosures. Loved walled gardens with a greenhouse in it. Also fascinating to watch rhinos roaming around with their 'babies'. Lots of toilets available around the grounds. There's train ride available too. We got wet at the end but still very impressed

Jovita L — Google review

Amazing day out, its really rather incredible how close to the animals you can get. The staff were so kind and friendly really lovely atmosphere. Very clean and tidy park toilets clean. Ice-cream 10/10. Plenty to do here

Natasha K — Google review

Loved this park and gardens. Really good selection of animals and nice play area for kids. Wasn’t too big and was very clean and tidy.

Rachel L — Google review

Never has a place so wonderfully met my expectations and more. Having seen videos of people bringing their dogs we couldn’t wait and they absolutely LOVED it. Being able to bring your dogs was such a wonderful day out for us, and seeing how much space the animals have really gave it more of a safari feel than a zoo. Spotlessly clean, lots of facilities and a great selection of animals (my dogs favourite was the rhinos) - an excellent day out for dog owners

Sammy S — Google review

I think one of the best wildlife experiences in the country. Animals seem well cared for and have suitable enclosures, both for viewing and for the animals' well-being. The park is always well presented, with ares to sit and relax, have a picnic, or buy from the parks, refreshment areas.For us, the park being mostly dog friendly: there are some areas where they cant go for obvious reasons! means we can have a great day out with leaving them behind.A great day out!!

David M — Google review

A brilliant day out! Lots to see & plenty of space, we visited on a Sunday in the summer holidays so were expecting it to be completely manic but the park felt spacious and quiet while walking round! We will definitely be returning!

Arabella C — Google review

Wonderful place! Took our toddler & was a perfect day out, so many animals to see and the farm park was great too. Lovely restaurant if overpriced but nice spacious environment with a small animal enclosure in the corner! Toilets were clean and great baby changing areas. Will definitely visit again!!

Sophie C — Google review

Great park to visit, animals look well looked after, nice gardens between the areas on to each animals cage, not to far to walk around to see the grounds, plenty of toilets and food avaliable, also shaded areas for you or your four legged friend, enough to keep all interested young and old.Overall experience was really positive.However as this zoo was dog friendly, and this was the reason why we wanted to come, you'll find many areas you cannot take your dog into, so not ideal if your on your own with a dog, or even two of you as one person will be holding the dog while the other person views the animals.Also when wanting to view the shop to buy gifts we were told that we can only come in if we can carry the dog...as our dog is 16kg, I can't carry her for long so decided not to go into the shop or buy anything, there loss really...good place but felt a little disappointed....

YOGI ( — Google review

A good day out for the kids and family alike. The park has the usual fare of animals, birds, reptile exhibits. It also follows the typical protocol of selling tickets at a reasonable price with food, beverages and snacks being priced at a premium to make up for the reasonably priced tickets. Carry a picnic if you wish to not spend money on food as there are many open places given the park is very generouslu sized.Two things that I found useful was the play area for kids which was much bigger than other parks I have visited and the veggie food options at the restaurant.Overall I feel confident recommending this place to others.

Nikhil K — Google review

What a great place, I have visited many times in n the past, but this is the most recent. Ticket pricing is good for the amount of time you can spend there. Did and drink are a reasonable price, and the little train is brilliant. It is an ideal all year round place to take children. There is so much to see and do there.My only criticism is signage. After travelling with kids, they sometimes need a toilet. And with a cat park as big as the one they have. Trying to find a toilet is not easy. They either need a toilet in the car park or better clearer signage. To avoid potential accidents, which could ruin a day out before it starts.

Andy M — Google review

Well, worth a visit, it's not huge so it can be negotiated easily on foot, and you get really close to the animals. The miniature train that runs around the site is a nice touch. There are plenty of toilets and refreshment areas

William D — Google review

£19 per person, great place for wildlife but take your own food. The cafe queue,for what looked like a school meal, was ridiculous. Nothing else really offered apart from £4.50 for a sausage roll, crazy price. Other than that well organised, an enjoyable day albeit lacking dining for so many people.

Mike L — Google review

What a fabulous day out. This wildlife park is set in the most beautiful setting in the heart of cotswolds.So,much to see and do for all the family of all ages.The entrance fee is really good vale. You can take a pinic or enjoy on-site refreshments. Lots of faciltiies on-site, toilets were really clean.

Mark B — Google review

Such a lovely place to visit, especially with young children as there's plenty of space, all areas easily accessible with a pushchair. There's information about all the animals and a great variety. The animals are well looked after and are calm and well managed and appear happy and comfortable in their surroundings. The staff and volunteers are super friendly and approachable. This is a really good day out.

Naomi P — Google review

Great day out!Took someone who needs regular 'sit downs' and was pleased to see so many benches at regular intervals so she could have regular rest breaks.Loved the walled garden and train ride in particular. Would definitely recommend.

Julia W — Google review

4.7

(14348)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (71)

4.5

(4514)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (72)

Bradwell Grove, Burford, OX18 4JP, United Kingdom

+44 1993 823006

12

Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (73)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (74)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (75)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (76)

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Nature & Parks

Animal park

Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park is a conservation center that features rare-breed heavy horses, blacksmith displays, a petting zoo, and vintage trucks. The park offers various activities for kids of all ages including tractor rides and pony grooming. Visitors can also enjoy feeding and stroking the well-kept animals. The staff is friendly and engaging while the facilities such as clean toilets with hand washing are well-maintained. Additionally, the park has a cafe that serves nice coffee and cake.

Great place to spend the day. Plenty to do for kids of all ages, and an abundance of well-kept animals to feed and stroke. Several activities such as tractor rides and pony grooming all included in the very reasonable price.The staff are all friendly and happy, and the main chap telling the stories engaging.Clean toilets and hand washing at one end.There is a cafe - nice coffee and cake, but didn't try the hot food.All in all a lovely day out, and 3 out of 3 kids sad to leave which is the seal of approval.

Iain M — Google review

This is a fantastic place to visit, whether you go alone or with the family and friends as i did. The horses are gorgeous and clearly very well looked after and loved. I enjoyed reading about each one's different personalities and their breed of heavy horse. They are cheeky but very friendly!The gentleman who does the first show of the day talking about the horses is very funny and witty and did a solid job of having a laugh at my expense much to my partners amusement (and my own)The rides and facilities for the children are fantastic, the staff are very friendly and engaging. Overall it was a lovely day out and gave them an appreciation for these incredible animals, it was great to be able to get so up close with them and interact.

Petar G — Google review

Absolutely loved the heavy horse farm. We felt it was a very authentic and personal experience with the owners themselves doing a lot of the activities. Our son, who is only 20 months old, loved the animals and the vintage rides. Well worth the money and would definitely visit again when next in Dorset.

Lauren A — Google review

Lovely visit today. Was great to meet the horses and especially enjoyed the yard tour to hear all about heavy horses in their care. You can buy horse food as well. A carriage ride is a must. Lots of play areas for the kids as well as pet handling. Old gypsy wagons and vehicles. Well worth a visit.

Belinda M — Google review

Myself and the family went to Heavy Horse Farm today and was pleasantly surprised by all things to do and see. Lots of animals to feed and touch, a lovely little café/restaurant to visit and more play areas than you can shake a stick at. The kids loved every minute of the day...💪🇬🇧🐴

David S — Google review

We thought it would be a pleasant afternoon out. So we spent three & half hours but we could of spent longer there. It's a great little place with lots of animal petting and activities to do the peddle go carts could do with a bit of maintenance but it was worth the money spent so £62 got us in then everything else was free. Enjoy your day out there.

Phill R — Google review

Visited here with my husband, it was a great day. From the start of our day until we left we were entertained. The presentation at the start, in the stable area, was very informative, the gentleman who gave the presentation was very knowledgeable and very witty. We then had a walk around the park, feeding the numerous animals, pigs, donkeys, alpacas, goats, plus many more. The WW1 area was very good. We had lunch in the cafe, a sharing platter, very nice and very filling, definitely enough for two. We listened to a presentation on romany gypsies, again very informative. We ended our visit with a horse carriage ride around the park, this was included in the price. All in all a very good day, well worth the admission price.

Lorraine H — Google review

Wow what an amazing place!! So much to do, so many lovely, enthusiastic staff. All well loved animals and whole site is clean and tidy. We will definitely be going again for sure. Cakes are tasty too. Didn't try the hot food but looked lovely from what we saw being served.The Owner and all the family clearly love their job and enjoys every minute of it. Thank you for all your knowledge and displays.

Mala L — Google review

Had an amazing time here with my family. I would highly recommend visiting here if you're looking for something to do, it's cheap to enter and has everything planned and ready for you and the kiddies to enjoy the day, learn about various horses and the history of the breeds before feeding the animals and getting rides on the tractors or playing on the bumper cars. Food here is amazing value for money too! Make sure to buy your tickets before you arrive as they run a tight schedule and cannot accept walk ins.

Tommy L — Google review

This place is really good to be fair. The park itself is not huge but with the space they have they have done really well. The staff work really hard and are all so polite. The horses they have are all taken care of so well and all look strong and healthy. Real good play area for the kids and plenty for them to play on around the park. Worth a look if you are in the area.

James D — Google review

A lovely day out. It is best to book in advance because it can get quite busy. All the horses are of the heavy variety and are rescues.There is lots to do. A ride on a carriage pulled by a heavy horse which is a gentle ride and explanations of the roles of the heavy horses in different times and places of the country and during world war one. I loved my day with these gentle giants.

Dawn C — Google review

Was an excellent day out! Small but very well packed out. Plenty to see & do, lots of rides & activities. Great for children & very dog friendly! Staff were friendly, food looked amazing, horses looked well cared for! Spent much longer than expected here, very much worth the money! Thoroughly enjoyed the day!

Cheryl C — Google review

Great value & educational, Spent lovely time here being informed about the horses & their role in our lives. Very hands on & enjoyable for all ages also dog friendly. Good cafe with a great selection. I’m sure we’ll be back!

Martin C — Google review

Absolutely fantastic day, activities are split into adult and child so you can avoid screaming kids and enjoy the activities involving these majestic animals (or spend time with your spawn with the kids bit). A fantastic emphasis on the importance of rescuing horses and maintaining the dwindling numbers of the five major breeds. Cafe serves good, hot food and is inexpensive. Highly recommend for a day out.

Tom H — Google review

Was a really nice the children really enjoyed it. Enough things to do likely wasn't too busy only thing is when get go to 15mins before closing one women coming round pretty much telling us to go because we'll "want to look round the gift shop". Considering paid £40 for me and 2 children I want to get the whole time

Karen T — Google review

We absolutely love visiting here and come every year with the family when we visit Dorset. Absolutely lovely family day out. Staff friendly and knowledgeable. Great food in the cafe. Beautiful horses and animals clearly well cared for. Lovely baby change facilities too. We will be back :)

Victoria A — Google review

This place was amazing. We had the best day here. Staff were all friendly. They really got the boys to help and interact. Loved the set up. Loved the schedule so you know what wad happening throughout the day. Lots of things for the boys to play on. Loved the mock up of WW1 trenches. Educational but not boring at all. And also dog friendly.

Amy G — Google review

One of the last in the country and well worth the entrance fee to help these beautiful breeds.You MUST book in advance as they can only allow a certain number in. These large breeds were amazing to see and also the other animals, like the small ponys and goats and of course the farm cat. Lovely staff running the small animal handling. Nice play area for my younger son while his horse obsessed teenage sister loved being with the horses. Also 2 indoor play areas,horse and cart rides and an informative talk on the horses and history and show of how the tack goes on was extremely interesting and entertaining. I would say the indoor play area for older children could do with some lighting as a few of the children were scared to go in as it was dark.All in all a great day and would definitely go again.

Kazzie S — Google review

Fabulous 4 and a half hours here yesterday in Horsey Paradise! I was on my own but there's so much to see ,listen to and do even without bringing kids! You'd need a whole day here for that. I loved the talks especially when these big beauties were brought out of their stables so you could see them in all their glory.Plenty of other animals to see and feed and pet.Great staff too.Brilliant day out.

Mazfb — Google review

Great place to visit. Gets very busy so be prepared. Really aimed at kids. I thought it was expensive for 2 adults circa £34 particularly as most of the ‘events’ are for children and parents/guardians. However, never mind paying more when animals and their welfare is benefitting from your entry fees.

Andy J — Google review

What an incredible day out,so much to do and see.The hosts (staff) are really informative and helpful and happy.What would be a great incentive for family to return....is offer a 50% voucher to returning customers.....asvther is too much to do in a day... loved It so did my grandkids🤣

Abboman — Google review

A nice place to enjoy a few hours. The animals are well looked after and some of the staff are friendly. My daughter enjoyed the activities on offer and the play areas. The tractors, trampoline and the park area are all very well maintained, great fun :)! The Smokey Joe’s Cafe is dark and dingy, plus it really smells of mould/foist. I didn’t eat. The toilets aren’t very clean and the space in the cubicles is tiny. I would visit again but will be bringing a picnic.

Connie L — Google review

Brilliant day out, my daughter especially loved the animal feeding and vintage fairground rides! also pedal power go carts are great fun. I would definitely visit again.

Sammy L — Google review

Beautiful rare horses plus miniature ponies. What's not to like. Great collection of romany vehicles and big old fun fare trucks. Helped the friendly young lady with the feeding run which was surprisingly funDelicious food at the restaurant. Would suggest adding decaf coffee for all us migraine avoiders.Although decaf tea was available to be fair.

Kim G — Google review

We visited today with our three grandchildren. Thank you for such a fabulous time, we all enjoyed it so much! So engaging and interactive, we learnt so much about your heavy horses 🐎 A brilliant day out with loads to see and do, so well thought out, it's amazing.Congratulations to everyone involved!

Karen D — Google review

What a fantastic day we had with the family and our mutt at this lovely Farm, it is like stepping back in time. Everything is there to be enjoyed by the grandchildren to Great Grandma . There is so much to do there, all the different types of horses , let’s not forget the goats, pigs, turkeys, llama’s, pole cats, birds, rabbits, chickens and ducks. The play areas are really good, as well as all the different types of rides.Also very important is all the knowledge they have about the horses, what they were used for in the past and how they ended up at the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm.We as a family would recommend spending time here, we are certainly going to return, thanks for a lovely day..

Deb C — Google review

Absolutely love this place. Mix of farm animals, horses and kids play areas. Plenty of picnic areas.Only one toilets but the separate baby change are very good.Good quality paths for prams, mobility scooters.Well behaved dogs allowed on leads.Small cafe onsite but quite expensive for tea/coffee. They ran out of chocolate on the third day of being open.

Emily L — Google review

The heavy horse center is a fabulous day out, for all age groups. It caters for all who have a love for nature and horses. The workers are so lovely and clearly care so much for their horses.The cafe serves wonderful home made food and the owner is so knowledgeable on his horses.I would recommend this to anyone who wants a memorable day out!! Will be returning soon

Rubs R — Google review

Absolutely wonderful place, staff extremely friendly polite and helpful.The whole place was well maintained and you see that the animals in there care had everything they needed... would recommend a visit.. our granddaughter loved it. Will definitely be going back.

Alec G — Google review

I had an absolutely magical day at the farm! The horses are beautiful and you can easily see the love and care they are given. The staff is super friendly and so knowledgeable, everything felts extremely organised and seamless.It’s a wonderful place to visit and I will definitely come back!

Radina I — Google review

4.7

(1249)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (77)

4.5

(1191)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (78)

Edmondsham Road, Verwood, BH21 5RJ, United Kingdom

+44 1202 824040

13

Old Sarum

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (79)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (80)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (81)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (82)

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Historical landmark

Sights & Landmarks

Located on a chalk hilltop, Old Sarum is the site of a royal castle from the Norman and Angevin periods, as well as Salisbury's first Romanesque cathedral. Today, it still provides a fascinating window into past civilizations and societies.

An astonishing find steeped in history going back thousands of years, with various people using the site for different things. The enthusiasm of the English Heritage lady there was infectious, and made it even more enjoyable. The views of the surrounding countryside and over Salisbury are incredible, and I'm glad we decided to drop in to see what was there. Thoroughly recommend a visit to see history and great views.

Frank ( — Google review

The Old Sarum ground ground can be accessed freely on most days. There is a portion of the old castle ruin situated towards the back. Most of the remains of the old Castle ruin lays behind the moat and can be accessed via a wooden bridge currently undergoing some repairs.English Heritage members have free access but reservation must be made ahead of visit. Non English Heritage members can book a visit or get a ticket via the website.There is lot of grounds to cover and the view of the surrounding lowland is stunning. Overall, this is a good place to visit either alone or as part of a group. I have now lost count of the number of times I have visited.Parking costs £3 for Non English Heritage members.P:S good location to walk dogs, clear ones head and just enjoy a breath of fresh air.

Adewale A — Google review

A nice little ruin to visit, with even better views from the top. It's an english heritage site who do a great job preserving what's left. Nice little souvenir shop with friendly staff and knowledgeable of the surrounding areas. Also has a decent sized car park small charge if your not a member.

Steven M — Google review

Beautiful 360°views. Nicely placed informative signage of the historical features but also recommend buying the English heritage booklet for more in-depth history. Very friendly staff. Toilets available at the car park

Catherine N — Google review

Great spot, can see for miles on a nice sunny day. Staff were very friendly and informative, went on a Friday afternoon and there were quite a few people there including groups and families but it didn’t feel busy as it’s a big open space with lots of points to explore and read about the history of the site.Picnic tables available and it’s dog friendly from what I saw, which was nice.Only slight downside was the driveway up to the car park - very narrow and luckily I didn’t encounter anyone trying to travel the opposite direction as there’s only one or two passing points and it’s a bit of a steep lane way though it isn’t too long, just go slow and be prepared to stop and back up if needed!Also had a little coffee kiosk and a small shop which had a lot of nice souvenirs from magnets to booze and historically-themed kids toys.Close to Stonehenge too so a great place to visit as part of a day out in the area.

Levi M — Google review

Nice peaceful place, friendly staff, no wait, not too busy.Kind of place you can go to clear your head with amazing views of Salisbury.Nice place for little evening walks and meditation.Mostly open to the public at any time (the green area outside the castle ruins), if you will like to cross the wooden bridge to see the castle ruins, you will have to go during their opening times at a fee.Free if you have English heritage pass as it an English heritage site. Noticed there was parking fee the last time I visited during opening hours, free outside opening hours.

Funmilola A — Google review

I took the family for the knights tournament on the weekend, great fun lots to do shows , children taking turns jousting with noodles against workers who clearly love there job , archery, and so much more.The castle was open as well we walked around the castle great to walk and the views of Salisbury are breathtaking highly recommended

Nick S — Google review

Went to old Sarum. What a lovely sunny day we had. Really enjoyed our visit. Great place to take the kids. Nice little gift shop too. I do recommend being a heritage member. It is well worth it.

Graham M — Google review

It was a great walk up to Old Saram. Enjoyed Victoria Gardens and a fabulous view from the top. Knowing it was built in 1092 with ruins beneath the ground thousands of years old is just breathtaking.

Terri L — Google review

Very interesting ancient site. FYI there are a couple of free car parking spaces on the road up to the English Heritage pay car park. You can park here to save on their car parking charge or when they close their car park at 5pm you can park there and still walk around both sides of the outer ramparts cost free. Toilets are in the car park and are locked in the evening. Entry charge is for the motte/high point with most of the ruins. Great views are to be had of the local countryside. I loved the Western section of the bailey. It's a very beautiful walk amongst large oak trees, butterflies and wild flowers.

Grant B — Google review

Great views across to the Cathedral. Very wind swept when we were there. English Heritage staff helpful. There is a car park from the main road just after the short layby by the sports ground. Only the central parts are English Heritage. Children's quiz available.

Roy S — Google review

Worth a visit if only for the view, you can pay for parking and just walk around, additional fee is only to go up to the castle ruins. The staff in the shop/ticket office are lovely especisly the lady (who's name we did not get). She starts her day by litter picking from the main road up to and around the site before working on the Shop/ticket office all day and was so friendly and informative. We went back the day after and spent £230 in the shop!

Gareth W — Google review

Fascinating bit of history with amazing views all around. And if you come between April and October the fields of yellow buttercups are intense. The views are free, but the site costs money.

Tim P — Google review

Took 2 of the grandchildren to the knights tournament. They absolutely loved it . What a great day out for all ages . Fun and educational .Well done to all the staff, knights & squires for putting on a great show.Been here before and well worth a visit just for all the history and stunning views over Salisbury.

Peter H — Google review

This is a great ruin to visit with some fantastic views. The site is very well looked after, perfect if you are taking lunch or a picnic. Lots to get the children imagination going. There were plenty of gifts and treata in the shop and the staff were really friendly.You will have to pay for parking if you aren't going into the ruin but this is covered/free if you pay to get in or have an English heritage membership, you just need to give your Reg to the people in the shop.Toilets were decent.

James M — Google review

Easy to take X4 from Salisbury center to here. I bought site tickets online. The gentleman at the gate was very nice to briefly tell us about the site history and warned us about the coming rain. We spent about 30 minutes there. Due to the rain, we did not walk around it from outside. We saw many local people walking their dogs. Ancient and Now, all join together. It is worth a stop here if you are in Salisbury.

Wenjun D — Google review

Visited on a weekday, on a cold day so it was pretty empty. Beautiful views, but really strong winds when you step out over the edge. I was really fascinated by the stones it was built from. There is a small car park with toilets and a gift shop up in the castle. I would highly recommend visiting The Salisbury Cathedral afterwards.

Madara V — Google review

An impressive site that is worth visiting. With much to see for young and old. Kids can do a treasure trail around the site that is free, unlike some of the ‘National Trust’ sites.Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Toilets accessible from car park.

Gareth L — Google review

Well preserved site spanning 5000 years of history. Well kept, informative, plenty of walking area, great views down to Salisbury and the cathedral. Great preservation and presentation job from English Heritage

Simon W — Google review

A lovely site. If you buy the tickets with the Stonehedge bus tour, the ticket can be used to ride other Red bus all day. Do wear proper clothes for the weather because there isn't much shelter on site.

Yui K — Google review

Very interesting site with the ruins of an ancient castle. Only some of the walls remain but the signage does a good job explaining life in the castle. One can also take beautiful panoramic pictures from Salisbury from Old Sarum. If you have a tight schedule and only have time to visit Stonehenge, don't feel bad about missing it. However, there is a bus stop there on the way back from Stonehenge and it is worth about one hour of your time.

Alex L — Google review

It was exciting to enter into a world I had previously experienced on the pages of books. It's a walk into history. The landscape is beautiful and one could create a plethora of images of a time past.

Namse U — Google review

Very cold and windy in January. But worth a visit and a good walk.Knowledgeable helpfull staff. Great views.Then head down into Salisbury for lunch or dinner

Stuart P — Google review

The ruins themselves are just any other in the country, but walking around the hill itself was so much fun. We found a very small walkway that takes all the way round the mountain. It was a lovely walk. But go early and make sure you have enough water to keep you hydrated for the whole hike.

Nadoosh A — Google review

Old Sarum is one of the oldest castle of England. This amazing place is a good mixture of iron age fort and medieval castle. This iron agehillfortwas erected around 400BC, controlling the trade paths and after that continued to be occupied during theRoman period, when the paths were made intoroads.It has a long interesting history. Even it's just ruins left and still has power to show you how it was strong and standing there with pride. Even I was walking around and enjoying it as well as wondering how they built this strong castle at high stage with the best defence.Its run by English Heritage and they did their job very well. There's a gift shop, a coffee machine, and toilets. There's cheap parking. Entry is £5.90 which is nothing. Not far from Salisbury Cathedral or Stonehenge.

Win T — Google review

Nice place for a walk while you go back in time & see what's left of the castle & learning about the history.If you are planning to visit this place I would definitely say there are much better places as it does cost a fair amount when travelling to multiple historical sites.If you have the English Heritage membership then do visit! Make sure you have your wellies as it can be quite muddy after the rain.

Raif V — Google review

A must see, never been to a castle with a moat. Although most of the castle fell, the original foundations are there. Powerful energies here

Christine G — Google review

Myself the the partner had a great time at old sarum perfect place for a lovely walk, great views around the place, amazing history and plenty of information boards to read . Book online to get a advanced cheaper ticket rather than getting the ticket on the day . Plenty of parking but look for the parking machine we missed it as its in the corner but luckily we didnt get booked . Perfect place to take the dogs the staff are very knowledgeable there aswell.Keep a look out in the as you can see people gliding through the sky aswell as you can see in the video .Perfect place for a picnic aswell plenty of places to sit.Theres a small shop there with refreshments , snacks etc otherwise .

Mike F — Google review

Old Sarum is one of the oldest place that you can visit in England. Its been existed since the neolithic period and the history is fascinating. Others, they say that there's nothing to see in the site, just ruins, old rocks and grass. Its not that though, its the history. You have to live in their time. You have to imagine what it looks like back in the day. And its just surreal. Anyway, the site has a gift shop, a coffee machine, and toilets. Parking is £3 i think, and entrance is £6.50 for adults and £3.50 for kids. The fees i think is just fair because Old Sarum is an English Heritage and they have to maintain the place and its surrounding.I reckon that this place it gonna be really nice in the summer as it has beautiful grounds for picnic, for dogs, and for family. I recommend Old Sarum for those who are into English history. I mean, even my 6 years old son enjoyed the place.

Aice A — Google review

Ancient hill fort overlooking Salisbury plain with evidence of human habitation dating back over 5000 years. Site of the original Salisbury cathedral from 1082 to 1220 and the remains of a royal castle founded by William the conqueror.

Nick M — Google review

great place to visit, a lot of history, lovely views of the area including the view of the Salisbury cathedral.our dog loved it as well being free to roam.parking is £3 for whole day but the places are limited perhaps 15-20 parking bays, we visited during a week on Wednesday and didn’t have any problems finding parking but I’m not sure how busy it would get on weekends.

Sasha S — Google review

This is a great place to visit. The car park is quite small and there is a parking charge. The toilets are near the parking area. Once inside the Sarum, there is another entrance cost (free for members). You can buy takeaway drinks, wines, kids toys and gifts from the onsite shop. Whilst strolling around, you can take in the natural beauty, but you have to be careful, as there are steep parts. The signs telling you about the history of each section is interesting. Best to go on a dry, sunny day, as it can get a bit cold and blowy.

Sally C — Google review

History in the living! The fact that the foundation of this place still exists about 1000 years later is absolutely incredible. The Roman empire, King Alfred and the Vikings. This place just has incredible vibes. Up at the top of the hill and has amazing views of the surrounding area.

James B — Google review

Fascinating place visited on a very windy rather grey day. Very wet under foot. I do recommend coming in better weather if you can. But still interesting. The scale of the prehistoric structure is amazing. Friendly English Heritage staff, toilets and carpark.

IM H — Google review

Wonderful ancient place. Scandal and gossip. Why the Cathedral was abandoned to create Salisbury. Great wee shop. Wonderful staff. A superb view across the plain. Note nearby airfield used for secret spitfire manufacturing hidden in streets nearby.

The P — Google review

What a great place to visit. Fantastic views and a well documented history of the site. Dog walking allowed all round the site even if you don't go in the castle itself.Don't try to take your motorhome in to the car park as the access road is very narrow.

David H — Google review

14

Moors Valley Country Park & Forest

Country park

Nature & Parks

Forests

Parks

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is a vast area of parkland and woodland that provides a range of scenic activities suitable for the entire family. The park features various wooden play structures such as the Bewilderness climb and Crocodile Crossing, providing children with exciting adventures. The Tree Top Challenge at Go Ape allows individuals to navigate aerial obstacles or swing through trees for those seeking more thrills.

So much to do here without spending any money, but if you have some spare them you can take the fun to the next level.There’s a great little steam train for the kids to enjoy, even the old kids!There are also plenty of picnic tables throughout the park, along for a cafe and eatery.You can plan a big day or 2 or just have a stroll around.

Paul S — Google review

Fantastic place for the kids, lots for them to do, a great trail with play equipment along the way.Been taking the kids since they could walk and they still love it at 15yrs!Losing a point as the prices to visit have skyrocketed...used to be less than £5 to visit for the day...now, at the weekend it's £8!!

Nicholas D — Google review

One of the coolest places for youngsters in the local area.I've really enjoyed going to this place each time, and it's expansion and development over the years has been good to see.The zip wire trail is wild fun, and children will love it... but there's so much more, and it's a great day out.

Nick C — Google review

I honestly don’t think this needs endless paragraphs to describe the experience, So I’ll just bullet point my views.• Parking isn’t cheap but where is cheap these days?!• Great day out for the family• Feeling at one with nature• Plenty of options when it comes to play areas for the children.• You can spend all day within the park as time fly’s by before you know it.• Children can feel grown up for one day. First the children get their pictures took for their license. Then they test drive around in a circle before tackling the obstacle course in a mini Land Rover. It was brilliant.• The mini train was an awesome experience. Made me feel like a little kid again. I’m 33 by the way.• Go Ape is available but we didn’t plan for that as it’s half a days activity in my eyes.• Dogs are welcome but there isn’t many bins knocking around so you will be carrying the dog poo for a while.• Toilets are situated at the start near the parking next to the cafe area. Make sure you go before you start your journey around the park. Otherwise you will be taking a trip into the trees/bushes.I probably could say more but again.. only YOU can truly have an opinion on what YOU think of the park. This is just what I think. However, I shall definitely be going again with the family.

Joshua B — Google review

Great place to get the kids out to work off some energy. The tree top rope walk and zip wire great fun. There's also plenty off things for the little ones too. Like an adventure playground, miniature railway you can ride on and a play trail. A good day's worth of stuff for them to do.

Mitchell P — Google review

So much to do here with walks, rides, the miniature train, golf course, Go Ape, or just sit by the lake and feed the ducks! It's free entry though of course you have to pay to park. Visitor centre and nice cafe on site, plus booth selling ice creams. Toilets very clean. Well worth spending the day here when you're visiting the New Forest.

Gary J — Google review

We went with our 20 month old son and had a great time. We took him on the walk which was great with lots for him to do. I liked the fact that there were things for him to do but also things aimed at older children. We could have spent the whole day here if we had brought a picnic. I would say it was pushchair friendly as well.

Zinty W — Google review

This is how we ended the long weekend. A very active day spent in a place we all love. Boys completed 4 routes of high rope courses, then a walk in the forest in search of all the attractions on the map, a ride on a steam train and finally a picnic. The food disappeared very quickly, probably due to how many kilometers we did today 🤣 Brilliant place for family day 😍

Tom G — Google review

This place is an amazing day out, especially if you have children. We took our bicycles, a picnic and set off on the Play Trail. The trail took us on an adventure through a beautiful forest where we found an abundance of themed play parks and a variety of awesome activities. We enjoyed our lunch in the picnic area where there are plenty of tables, next to a picturesque lake where the swans will come up to greet you as the steam train does it's thing in the distance. There was.so much to do, that we couldn't do it all in one day.Food, drinks and ice creams shops are all situated near the visitor centre which is next to the main car park. Unfortunately the car park is a little expensive; however, this cleary goes to the upkeep of the park.The toilets were clean and tidy with no queues.We will definitely be back

Gordon J — Google review

Fabulous place for all the family, dogs to spend a day. Lots to do, explore. Very children interactive. Excellent facilities. Lots of parking but a bit expensive. Food, drink, snacks. Fabulous Steam Train ride but gotta pay extra for that, worth it. Had an absolutely fantastic day there, grandparents, dad, mum, 3yr old, 4 dogs.

Tina L — Google review

Quite simply - a beautiful country park that is led and managed well, perfect for walkers, runners, cyclists, families (young and old), golfers, train enthusiasts and nature lovers.First - I will add this is a working Forest led and managed by forestry England - meaning that it is a place of work with continual management of the land you will explore. The paths are well maintained and there are multiple walks that are accessible to all. I will repeat this - ACCESSIBLE TO ALL - regardless of skill and level.I took the family as we wanted to try Go Ape (paid extra for this service and have left a different review for the experience) - whilst they climbed I took a short walk around to get a feel for the place. The visitor centre is the hub of activity, complete with cafe/restaurant, gift shop, ice cream stand, water refill station, toilets, dog wash station, cycle hire, Segway hire and the Go Ape playgrounds. There were multiple staff here and with so many families descending on the space I decided to walk off and find some solace.20 minutes walking took me atop a hill in a heavily forested section of the park. The Lookout. It had a beautiful view of the horizon and had no people there. It was peaceful and a nice spot to lunch for later.I returned, collected family and took them on a walk starting on the play trail, where there were dozens of unique and bespoke playground/climbing frames that really do capture the imagination. My personal favourite was the Hawk House - it was huge!The play trail is designed for young families to wonder the woods, therefore it was quite busy - no cyclists or fitness enthusiasts here.We decided to bypass the last part of the play trail, ascending into the tree top walk and then veered Northward to the Lookout for lunch. When doing so I noticed we were walking another family route which required the purchasing of a kids story book themed guide to follow. Ignoring this, we beelined straight to the top where we found the Lookout again completely empty. We had a peaceful lunch away from the noisy kids on play trail and soaked up the natural atmosphere.We continued the walk now on the yellow trail that eventually took us out of the woods onto heathland. Here we bombarded by all sorts of butterflies and flying insects. My son also spotted a new species of fungi I hadn’t logged on iNaturist - great find!This part of the walk also took us alongside a beautiful stream and through a well maintained golf course. Eventually we came to another part of a walking trail designed for those that require a sturdy footpath for their walking habits. This path led to another visitor centre at the other end of park - where we boarded a quaint miniature steam train - bought some ice cream - and railroad all the way back to the beginning visitor centre, disembarking in yet another huge park. Alas, there were many parents and families here, so we decided to move on.All in all, this was a great day with so much to see and do. In total we were in the park for just under 5 hours - which cost £12.50 in parking. Not a bad price for entry I think and if it contributes to the upkeep of such parks and promotes more of them in this country I’ll happily pay the price.We will return.

Mark N — Google review

This was a nice place to visit and we liked the train ride around the place, we have only given four stars for the following reasons, we do not mind paying the parking cost as this goes to help with the upkeep of the area which was looking good as we walked around, but as a visitor to the area I would recommend anyone to bring a packed lunch unless you have really deep pockets as the food and drink was way too costly, I know that we have been hit with a cost of living crisis and prices have had to go up but £5:95 for a medium sized Baguette with not much filling was shocking. There are some free play areas for the children and some good walks, but the other activities are costly.

Peter R — Google review

We did the Halloween trail and just looking out for 'spider shoes' made the walk interesting even for little legs.Great play areas as well. Something for all ages.Food was tasty but not cheap.A great place to get out and about.

Jane — Google review

The fact you only have to pay for parking to stay and play at this massive site is great value for money we took our 4 children here today to do the zog trail and they absolutely loved it we also played at all of the areas on the play trail. So much to do for everyone some things have to be paid for like go ape and the train but all still reasonably priced. Absolutely worth the visit to tire the kids out and the not so little kids. Bring a picnic if you do not wish to buy food on site as there are plenty of picnic tables to sit at.

Brian C — Google review

I went to Go Ape and the whole experience was brilliant!!Definitely th staff will have more than 5 stars. The persons in the counter and the instructors were super friendly, knowledgeable, putting safety first and always willing to help.The activity it self was incredible, having different stages, amazing views and the zip wires were full of fun!Really recommend this place for kids and also for the adults who want to be kids again!!!

Diana R — Google review

Excellent full day out. Brilliant wooden play areas throughout the park, which break up the walking. Finished back at the entrance with another router playground. We brought sandwiches but could have found food there. Picked up coffees half way round.

Tm C — Google review

Such a great place for all ages of children. Great play trail with imaginative play areas, playgrounds are really good with lots of different areas including a bit sand area. Cafe on site, lots of picnic areas and lots of parking.

Stephanie P — Google review

Really nice to go with family and dogs. However, as someone with a reactive dog I’m limited where I can take my dog. Unfortunately, the on lead rule doesn’t seem to be enforced. I didn’t take my dog for this reason on the first visit and lowand behold a family were walking with a mini poodle who was running around off lead on the way back to the go ape. Even though an employee saw this and was walking behind them, it took us to ask them multiple times to put their dog on lead as people like them are the reason we can’t take our dog. The employee was asked to enforce this rule but didn’t seem too bothered unfortunately. Hopefully one day we can let our dog enjoy places like this too with all dogs on lead as per the rules.

Lou B — Google review

Excellent. Loads to do. Parking seems expensive but when you take in all that’s on offer it’s a bargain. Only did Segway’s, very enjoyable, but don’t get cocky or you’ll end up on your bum likeMe !

Llewi — Google review

Moors Valley Park is massive - we came here a while back, and it has got a lot bigger since. We started with a walk over to the playground near the lake, and then for a trip on the train. Due to recent weather (wet) we avoided most of lake area as a little flooded, and opted to do the play trail in the forest. This consists of several areas along a trail for the kids to play on - some much bigger than you perhaps expect! The big bird area and the treetop walk were favourites! The only downside to a trip to Moore Valley Park? The parking... It's pretty expensive!

Andrew C — Google review

A beautiful place. We spent the morning here on the way home from a weekend in Bournemouth.It is a wonderful place that is very well suited for families.The price in the cafe was on the higher side, but considering you don't pay an entry charge, we thought this was reasonable.There are plenty of places to sit and eat if you choose to bring your own food, this would help keep the cost down.The family trail was fun and we ended up at a large play park, much to the children's delight.

Christine H — Google review

Moors Valley Country Park, nestled in the heart of nature in Ringwood, Dorset, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The park's extensive grounds offer a diverse range of activities, making it a perfect destination for families and adventure seekers alike.The Go Ape adventure at Moors Valley provides a thrilling treetop experience. From ziplining amidst the lush canopy to navigating challenging obstacle courses, it caters to both adrenaline junkies and those looking for a unique way to appreciate the scenic surroundings. The safety measures in place ensure a secure yet exhilarating adventure for participants of all ages.The Gruffalo Trail is a delightful addition, especially for families with young children. As you wander through the enchanting forest, characters from the beloved children's book come to life, creating a magical and educational experience. It's a well-designed trail that captures the imagination and provides a fun, interactive way for kids to explore the outdoors.Moors Valley's natural beauty, combined with these engaging activities, makes it a standout destination. The well-maintained trails, serene lakes, and thoughtful attractions contribute to a memorable day out. Whether you're seeking adventure on the Go Ape course or enjoying a whimsical journey through the Gruffalo Trail, Moors Valley Country Park offers an immersive and enjoyable escape into nature.

Thomas ( — Google review

Beautiful park, lots to do for the 2hole family, an all day adventure. My kids live the Steam Train the most but also woodland play trail and play areas are amazing.

Michaela C — Google review

Beautiful place with plenty to do but using the handy map provided was not easy when you are trying to navigate where you need to go. Parking charges during the summer holidays is absolutely ridiculous, particularly when they are so much less during term time.

Connie L — Google review

The country park is amazing, they have so many play areas for children, my 3 year old had 5 hours of fun here! He loved every single play area and enjoyed riding his bike through the forest. Gruffalo sculptures, zog trail etc are great too!My only complaint is the cafe, the food is extremely expensive and my burger was awful. Recommend taking a picnic if possible.Parking is expensive on weekends however we went on a Wednesday so only had to pay £2 for a whole day of parking so that’s very good!

A K — Google review

Amazing experience on the tree trop trail,Staff were helpful, and weren't annoyed by my many questions! Went when it was raining and had good fun! (Bring gloves)Only thing I'd say is the parking is ridiculous price!

Amber L — Google review

Lots to do here in the woods looking for wood sculptures. Hardened path walks. Lovely needed lake. Children's play park. Reasonable cost, as car park pays for entry.

Paul R — Google review

I love Moors Valley country park. I have been multiple times and there is so much to do.The facilities are good; toilets, cafe, shop, guide centre, huge play park for both ages, water for dogs, dog wash station, information centre and picnic area.The site is family, dog and disability friendly.The services which charge are; bike hire, go ape, Train.There are lots of trails to walk around and bike around as well as the zog trail.The car park is chargeable but has the option to have a yearly membership which is more cost effective.there are some fantastic gruffolo character sculptures! my kids love those!

Samantha D — Google review

Great place for the kids of all ages,forest walks,playgrounds cafe,high ropes course,a brilliant miniature railway to ride,parking is fairly cheap at about £16 if you stay the whole day.be warned if you get there later than 10am on a weekend the carpark can be full so you have to wait to get in.Also the playgrounds can get busy,but we went on a bank holiday.

Wey 1 — Google review

Great place to spend a few hours or tye whole day. Car park and some activities are a little pricey but with no entry fee, I can see why. We did the nets and hired bikes, great fun for all ages.

Adam I — Google review

4.6

(8659)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (85)

4.5

(1417)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (86)

Horton Rd, Ashley Heath, Ringwood BH24 2ET, United Kingdom

+44 1425 470721

15

Crocodiles of the World

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (87)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (88)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (89)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (90)

Mentioned on

4 lists

Zoo

Outdoor Activities

Crocodiles of the World is a unique zoo located in Witney, Oxfordshire that houses over 15 species of crocodiles from around the world. It is the UK's only dedicated crocodile center and offers visitors numerous opportunities for hands-on encounters with these snapping reptiles. The zoo also boasts a cafe and shop. In addition to crocodiles, other animals can be found at the center as well.

Amazing place. Great value and we were able to see every crocodile and other creatures in all the tanks/pens etc. Many of them were lively and the lay out makes viewing easy. The teenage grandchildren loved it as did my daughter and I. Well laid out, clean and easy to get round. Definitely one of our favourite wildlife parks and certainly the best value. Watching the crocodiles being fed was a great experience for us all. Highly recommended.

Lindy C — Google review

Always an absolute blast coming to this place. Love everything about it and love going back each time. Well worth the journey. Highly recommend buying your tickets online before you go.

Shaun Y — Google review

Such a great day out, so many incredible reptiles, and also it was so nice and warm inside which was great because I hate being cold! I absolutely loved the slender-snouted crocodile and the Yacare caiman, but really it's hard to pick a favourite from everything I saw. Can't wait to come again soon.

Emma W — Google review

Absolutely incredible 😲 So very glad I went. It's not the biggest zoo like wild life park, but it is mighty!! It was very humid because the animals need a humid climate, so rethink the cute jackets you might be thinking of bringing. The feed shows and talks were full of information and incredible demonstrations on what the animals were capable of! 10/10 Would recommend 👌

Ellie C — Google review

Overall a great place with great amount of information on each species and lovely feeding sessions where we could learn a lot about the crocodiles and fisher cat! The entry was quite rammed so it was a bit difficult to see each enclosures in the beginning but as the day went on there were more chances to go back and see each sites.The cafe had good amount of drinks and food options but having more staff could potentially help with long que. The site is a bit difficult to navigate if you are coming with a bus so having more signs or shuttles from stations could help more. Having more social media could also help to showcase the conservation efforts and to also educate the audience as well. It was a great experience and would be happy to come again in the future.

Dessi V — Google review

I adore crocodiles, so this was heaven. A very, very humid, warm heaven, though, so bring lots of water! They have a collection of other reptiles and mammals in the outdoor enclosures, so there are opportunities to cool off. Helpful, welcoming staff and good amenities. I would go again any day.

Sarah M — Google review

It's OK. To be fair crocodiles snakes reptiles don't really do a lot other than eye you up like they would like to eat you. The meercats on the other hand don't stop running fighting playing etc. Place is well presented, nice n clean ,staff really friendly. Worth a visit.

Ashley C — Google review

Such a lovely place. Small, so probably only need half a day to see everything. Loads of crocodiles from tiny to huge. Very interactive meerkat enclosure. And other animals too. Nice play and picnic area. Really friendly staff and family atmosphere.Would definitely recommend

Nicola M — Google review

Really great place for families. A wide array of crocodiles and alligators along with diverse species including snakes, komodo dragons, monitor lizards, meerkats and more. The live feeding is fun for the kids!

Nick B — Google review

I would highly recommend the VIP crocodile experience! It was an absolutely fantastic day. Our guide Louis was very knowledgeable and made the experience truly unforgettable. The Crocodiles of the World team were all friendly and welcoming. The facilities and level of animal care were second to none. We will be returning! A huge thanks to Crocodiles of the World

Danny B — Google review

A wonderful place. I was shocked how good this actually was. I had presumed that only a few animals would be there. How wrong was I. Lots of crocodiles and other animals. Highly recommend

John L — Google review

Really enjoyed the experience of seeing the crocks sooo close up, most rare to be able to do this. I look forward to taking my grandsons. The guides were very enthusiastic and I loved the information revealed. There were more animals than crocks & alligators which was a nice surprise. Easy to park there right on site.

Gateway V — Google review

Still one the greatest places if you like your reptiles and crocodilians. Gets better every time I go. Keepers are terrific and show their enthusiasm. If you get the chance to book an animal experience, do it. I did the Komodo Dragon experience and it was terrific 👍

James A — Google review

We drove 3 1/2 hours to visit this place and weren't disappointed. Such a privilege to see these beautiful creatures up close. Feeding time is a must ! A special mention for the Keeper who was so knowledgeable and friendly. You could tell how much she cared.

Miriam M — Google review

Lovely little trip, won't take you more then a few hours, and I recommend bringing a pack up plenty of picknick areas. Lovey play park. They feed the crocks at certain times but make sure you arrive early to get a good spot and don't wear anything to heavy as its very warm indoors.

Toni E — Google review

One of the best equipment animal sanctuary I have seen I a while . The teams are full of energy and fully passionate about the animals and it shows . Great environment for the reptiles I was really impressed so much so I offered my professional services free of charge to help cut down running costs . :) amazing place I will be returning very soon for the vip experience.Great work team !!!!crocodile world owe the crews who run it daily!!xx

Daniel J — Google review

WOW! What a little gem, a fantastic place to visit, really clean, enclosures are really lovely, animals look content! staff are super friendly. We paid for the galapagos tortoise experience for my daughter as a bday treat (which is very reasonably priced) Ben the keeper is really lovely, very knowledgeable and great with the kids that were enjoying the experience! The tortoises are brilliant! Especially the baby galapagos tortoises! Super cute. Definitely worth a visit. I had never heard of this place until I googled, they should definitely advertise more as its a wonderful little place! We will return! Thank you 😊

Laulau — Google review

Our last trip here was 9 years ago when the crocodile park was at Crawley mill. It was great then but it was excellent yesterday!The animals looked well cared for and content in their respective homes.My particular favourite was the meerkats.However my grandchildren, aged 15 & 16, along with my husband loved all of the animals they saw!We had refreshments in the cafe which was clean and good value.Al in a great experience which was not too costly given the upkeep of the place.Also the gardeners deserve a mention because of the lovely displays!!!I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an interesting place to spend a day!

Sandra — Google review

Had a great afternoon at here. Started with some lunch from the cafe near the Meerkats, really good food and not too busy. Then explored the various areas.Plenty of close up crocs to see and lots of info about them.Managed a quick glimpse of the beautiful Clouded Leopard. Kept finding new areas we had missed. So easy to spend 2 to 3 hrs here.All staff were friendly and informative. 🙂

Rob — Google review

Great place to visit with kids. Lots of variety and interesting species.We did the Komodo experience which was fantastic for our 8yr old (and dad!).Note there are two Cafes (one over by the meerkat enclosure - had wed realised we'd have gone to the 2nd one as the cafe by the kids play area was very busy for obvious reasonsReasonable prices and good food.We'll be back.The kids all had a blast (6, 8 and 12yrs).

Paul C — Google review

It's not very big but well maintained, the staff clearly know a lot about and care about the welfare of the animals. The zoo contributes to the worldwide conservation of these animals and has achieved some first time breeding successes. We did the tortoise experience on a Monday, just the two of us (adults) and enjoyed it. The keeper was knowledgeable and friendly and we got to scratch and feed the amazingly cool and weird Galapagos island tortoises. The keeper could answer all my questions (I often have a lot 😆) and it was very cool to have an up close and personal interaction. The crocodile enclosure was very good, lots of opportunities to safely see these big reptiles up close

TheGood D — Google review

Really a nice family place to visit. I visited crocodile world 11 times and always enjoy my visit. The crocodiles are very interesting and they are very big.They even have giant tortoises A big cat. Snakes meerkats and more.They have a small playground for the kids. A very small restaurant takeaway Cafe and a souvenir shop were you can buy crocodile Memorabilia.The staff are very nice and they are Autistic friendly as I have Autism. So if you need Assistance just ask one of the staff. You can bring your own picnic & drink if you like. Crocodile world has a amazing location. The only thing I would change four crocodile world is that the owners get a bigger restaurant and a bigger dining area for people to eat there food. Otherwise very very nice place. from BenIt is hereby satisfied that the following (Crocodiles of the World) is Autistic friendly and has been approved and checked by Ben ✅ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐

Ben B — Google review

Definitely recommend a visit to this zoo for animal lovers, couples and families. Saw plenty of reptiles. I loved looking at the alligators, crocodiles and Galapagos tortoises. Many of the species were vulnerable and this a great way to support their conservation. My boyfriend in particular was thrilled to see the meerkats. One piece of feedback; we got some milkshakes (raspberry and strawberry) at the cafe and these were very small in size and the flavor was not noticeable. Also something to note when planning a trip, the enclosures for the reptiles are humid to mimic their natural habitat.

S N — Google review

Had a brilliant second visit here! The staff are very friendly and the animal's seem very well cared for in their habitats.The entrances and buildings seem pretty accessible for wheelchairs, having an alternative entrance to be able to get to the top part of the crocodile area for a good view of the feeding, although I can't speak to whether the ramps are too steep or not. One idea we would raise is to change the seating arrangement for the crocodile feeding. We went with a disabled friend who needed to sit down, however the only bench was taken up by families and was facing away from the feeding. They made space when asked, but the area would definitely benefit from another bench or two as there were also elderly folk standing and no one should have to miss out on the talk because they are less able to stand or contort themselves on the bench.

Robot S — Google review

Such a great experience, I was able to buy the nile crocodile feeding on the day and it was so worth it! the staff are so knowledgeable and were happy to answer all my questions! would definitely visit here again

Hhy T — Google review

Amazing amazing amazing place I had never heard of before, saw a sign on the motorway and stopped on our way back. It was so much better than I expected and the staff there do a great job!! Seriously recommend

Leticia S — Google review

Fantastic day out with the kids! Came during the summer holidays but it was lovely and quiet. We were able to enjoy the whole attraction for a good few hours by watching the Crocodile Nile feed, eating at one of the two cafes they have available and letting the kids burn off some steam at the little play areas that are dotted around.We’d highly recommend this place for the family. It’s definitely good value for money and fun for everyone!

Josie M — Google review

Went on a weekday during term holiday with my son. He is 3 yrs and enjoyed watching crocodiles. Parking is free and was not packed. They got 2 disabled spaces. There are cafes and gift shop inside. Baby changing facility available on disabled toilet. Overall good place to hangout for 4 hours. There is a play are for kids and picnic areas as well. Worth a visit if you love crocs:-)

Ashraf K — Google review

We took the kids here on a rainy day. It's not the biggest place but you still need a few hours to really take it all in.The kids enjoyed it and got a bit of an education to boot.Not a bad day out to be fair.

Junkybabes — Google review

My husband and children picked to visit here on a day trip, I really didn't think I'd enjoy it personally as I'm not really interested in alligators or Crocodiles.. to my surprise it's been one of our best family days out! And it completely changed my mind. Its amazing how up close you can get to most of the animals. We completed the whole zoo in about 1 hour 10 minutes, but you are able to stay as long as you like. So we decided to walk around again, to see some of the animals that were hiding. 2nd time round we noticed Callum feeding a water monitor. He was very friendly, polite and spent time with us answering our questions. We watched the croc feeding talk which was by Harry who was very knowledgeable. The children really enjoyed the talk. There are 2 little play areas which were really well maintained and modern. 1 is situated outside the Croc cafe where we decided to get a hot drink. Drinks and ice creams reasonably priced, food a little bit more expensive which wasn't a problem to us as we took a picnic with us. Plenty of picnic tables available too. The zoo is clean and well maintained throughout. All of the animals look well looked after.A bargain entry fee, and enjoyable by all ages. We look forward to returning one day. Thanks.

Natalie E — Google review

Really enjoyabke day out. Loved seeing so many different species in one place.Well worth seeing the Nile crocodile feed - seeing them jump up for food was great. Enjoyed the other talks we attended too. Learnt about tomistomas whilst here which I had never heard of before so that was great.I actually visited for the binturong experience and absolutely loved meeting Winnie and Willow. The keepers who ran it were really lovely (Callum and Elliot perhaps???) and really knowledgeable.To be fair all the staff I spoke with were great, happy to chat and seemed genuinely into working with these animals.The loaded chips from the cafe were also really good, excellent spread of cheese throughout the portion!Essay access to get around, generally level. There is a step slope to the upper viewing area of the Nile and siamese crocs but I believe there is gentle access to the side of the building instead.Great day, definitely want to come back! Thanks!

Siobhan R — Google review

Absolutely brilliant. Visited with friends and their two young boys. We all had a great time, particularly enjoyed the feeding of the Nile crocodiles. Enjoyed it so much we went back again less than a year after our first visit. Nice cakes in the cafe, decent gift shop, plenty of parking.

Gavin O — Google review

Great little place to visit, lots of crocs and other animals to see, fab talks too! Food also surprisingly good!

Phillip G — Google review

We visited the area specifically to come here and weren't disappointed. Our son loves reptiles and was so happy to see all the animals at the park. We spent about 2 hours here, but could've spent longer if we'd stayed for lunch (we were first through the door at opening). It was awesome seeing all the crocodiles and alligators, but the binturong was a real treat being able to see them so close.

Emily W — Google review

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16

Hawk Conservancy Trust Bird of Prey Centre

Mentioned on

7 lists

Outdoor Activities

Charity

Wildlife and safari park

Zoo

Nature & Wildlife Areas

The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a small yet impressive destination for families, offering feeding and flying exhibitions featuring 150 birds of prey in a vast 22-acre area filled with lush woodland and wildflower meadows. The friendly staff are knowledgeable and helpful, while the information placards provide excellent educational opportunities for children. Visitors can enjoy three different displays showcasing a variety of birds, and the on-site cafe offers delicious freshly prepared meals. Highly recommended for nature enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience.

A wonderful day out for the family. The trust is not a large place, but that only adds to the experience. All of the staff are friendly and helpful. There were 3 displays with a number of different birds on show. All of the information placards were informative and good for the children to read themselves. The cafe is good serving freshly cooked food. I’d highly recommend this to anyone, especially if you have a love of wildlife.

Neil M — Google review

Visited from Devon for the first time yesterday after hearing many good things from friends. Wow… absolutely did not disappoint. You can tell the staff care so much about the birds. They were left to fly-freely during their flying slots and were encouraged to fly far and high to explore the local area. It is so healthy to see falconers having a trusting relationship with their birds. The flying displays were just incredible and some wild red kites and buzzards even got involved too (including Ian!). It was all natural as there were purpose build areas for flying, big aviaries and very close up performances (sometimes a little too close with the vultures…!!) the music made the atmosphere so special and even comical at times. The barn owls flying in the woodland was just so beautiful and I cannot wait to go back there. Food was amazing, staff were so knowledgeable and had much time for questions from the public. Such a wonderful place and you can tell the staff love what they do. Something for everyone there and incredible value. Thank you Hawk Conservancy, I will be back!

Louise J — Google review

We enjoyed a brilliant day today. After getting married here last year we decided to return today for a really lovely day out, the displays were as always super engaging and a one of a kind experience. We brought our own mini picnic but also enjoyed tea & cake at the restaurant before doing the Meet the Burrowers experience. I would 100% recommend this, it was wonderful and we both came away from it beaming ear to ear!Plus you can find gorgeous gluten free home made cakes in Feathers Restaurant (and yes this is a big deal, they're delicious)

Christi — Google review

Excellent day out. Staff are really informative and helpful and the birds are absolute stars. No sooner had we had a bite to eat or a look around and it was time for the next display. We took a picnic and there are plenty of places to sit even for larger groups. The restaurant looked good though and we will probably visit it on our next visit. Shop items were expensive but looked good quality and you are supporting a good cause. Accessibility looked very good and viewing points were available for all displays.

Dave M — Google review

This was by far the best Bird of Prey/raptor centre I have ever been too. A massive range of birds and the shows were absolutely phenomenal. Have recommended to many people already within the first week after going. I can't stress how brilliant the shows were, they gave me chills they were so good.

Alex M — Google review

Fantastic displays of different birds of prey. Close up as well as seeing them fly naturally enjoying the wind and the sky. Lots of information shared by the falconers in an educational yet humorous way. An incredible experience seeing groups of birds flying together as well as displays by the eagles and the incredibly intelligent caracara… and who can resist the owls… a great day out and you are also contributing to preserving birds who are an integral part of the world ecosystem. Lots to see in the aviaries of breeding birds. Simply a great day out and if you add on the burrowing owls experience then you get up close and personal with them - sitting on your palm - magical!

Jacqui W — Google review

My wife and I went to a sunset at the trust evening.It was absolutely amazing from the start. The guides were so knowledgeable and passionate.Both displays were fantastic to watch and the birds were so beautiful. My favourite was Charlie the Barn Owl.The evening ended with vultures, and other birds gliding around as the sun set. Wow. Incredible.Look out for the Secretary bird. AmazingWe can’t wait for our next visit.

Andrew R — Google review

Not been for a couple of years. Fabulous improvements to the entrance and cafe. New birds fantastic first display at 11.30, second display I felt wasn't as good as the Valley of the eagles display. Great to see staff and falconers doing such a great job.

J P — Google review

Had a truly wonderful day out, the grounds are picturesque, the staff incredibly friendly and willing to answer all the questions my 14 year old had, (and he always has loads!) We had lunch in feathers restaurant and it was lovely food, prices at about what you'd expect. My fresh salad was huge! I absolutely can't wait to come again

Angelik A — Google review

I went there as it was hired for a private party in the evening so we weren't there for any of the falconry displays, but we did have a opportunity to look at the majestic birds. They are impressive the enclosures were large and stimulating and the birds and owls were great looking, the sheen on their coats of feathers were shimmery. I would imagine that during the day they would be more impressive especially when the falconry arena is open for use by them. I would recommend going

Steve B — Google review

An absolutely spectacular day out for all the family! Throughout the day there are events and shows - and for anyone who is visiting, we'd hugely recommend the two main displays, which both feature breathtaking birds of prey flying remarkably close and close with a huge menagerie of birds filling the skies.Every aviary seems spacious and all the animals seem happy, lively and well cared for. The grounds are beautiful and have plenty of places to stop and rest. The restaurant is Bright and comfy - and the food is straightforward and easy, just right for bringing kids along.Every member of staff we encountered was deeply knowledgeable about the birds and the organisation, and they were excited to tell us of the amazing work they're doing to aid conservation around the world.If you haven't been before, definitely go - it's well and truly worth it!

Josh K — Google review

It was a great experience for us, looking at the fascinating shows they did with the birds. The staff are well trained and the birds are well trained too. For children this is really a good place to get some information about birds and how important are these in our ecology. One thing always comes to my mind is, what it takes a bird to become so domesticated and just follow few instructions.This is a must visit trust for anyone who likes birds.

Hemanth K — Google review

Never thought I'd say this as I didn't know what to expect but watching the bird displays felt magical! I actually had tears in my eyes at some point. They looked so serene and myself and my husband found the whole day so relaxing. So much so we will definitely be returning!!! Sadly we didn't have time to visit everywhere as we wanted to watch the displays that were put on. Highly recommend a visit....the staff are so friendly, approachable and so knowledgeable!! Great day out!

Alison — Google review

Just a wonderful day enjoying all manner of birds: hawks, raptors and vultures, many of which are on the endangered list. Not only do you get expert commentaries on the displays of each bird, but you know your entrance money is going to support the conservation of many of the species. The finalés of the displays were amazingly spectacular, and worth the entry fee alone! The setting and the facilities are brilliant too. Brilliant.

Peter C — Google review

Had a fab day out at the Hawk conservatory. We started exploring the various bird and their personalities. There are some real characters who had fun photographing a few.The displays were fab. Would suggest for woodland one to sit on the woodland side. We ended up on the mud side and felt a little out of it. Regardless, I loved hearing the stories from the passionate workers and seeing the owls fly around.We then head straight to the cafe. Where we beat the crowd before watching the next display. All in all a great day out and so much to learn.

Debbie M — Google review

Visited the Hawk Conservancy Trust whilst my family from Hong Kong was over. Lovely place to see the birds of prey and the flying shows were pretty amazing too. You can easily spend a whole day here if you wanted. The shows are worth watching. Very easy to get to and parking is plentiful.

Justin C — Google review

I went to see the owls at night demonstration and couldn't have wished for a better experience. (We were very lucky to have clear skies and a full moon)The handlers and the people giving the commentary came across as passionate and knowledgeable about the birds we were seeing, they were fun too and it really came across what a great team they were together and how much they cared about the work they do at the hawk conservancy.I highly recommend going to see the flying displays. The birds really are very close and very impressive to see in such nicely set out environments. The birds were literally flying cms above our heads and standing within just a few feet of us. Some people had an owl land on the bench next to them for a moment.I'd definitely go back to see more of the other hawks in the future.A great day or evening out for adults and young people.Highly highly recommended.(I didn't get any great pictures because it was dark and really tricky to capture a moving bird)I was too busy watching the birds and wowing at them to take more than 2 pics. And one of them was just to show the pretty lighting.

Jayne T — Google review

Fantastic place doing really good work.I learned so much and the passion of the staff can't help but inspire you. The flying displays were excellent.We did a twilight visit which I highly recommend.It'd alo nice to fins a place where the restaurant is not a total rip off.

Tim — Google review

I love visiting the Hawk conservancy. They have a lovely selection of birds of prey. The location has ample parking, a gift shop, cafe, toilets and well marked paths easily accessible to prams or wheelchairs and a little park.They do amazing shows in the day and also seasonal shows such as owloween at Halloween which is always wonderful! and Christmas with the barn owls. They do get booked up quick though! They also have staff members doing demos and talks throughout the day.They also do experiences with the birds.I would thoroughly recommend the Hawk conservancy to all. It is a fantastic day out and I would definitely recommend booking onto one of their seasonal evening experience.

Samantha D — Google review

Absolutely brilliant! Being able to see from very close distance beautiful 🦉 🦉 and enjoy the show!

Barbara S — Google review

The displays were amazing - owls flying above your head, birds of prey, just incredible. The staff were very friendly and were great at providing knowledge. Highly recommended as a great day out.

Aaron S — Google review

A fantastic day out for the whole family, so nice to see the birds in full flight as they would be in the wild. Interesting new enclosures being built like something out of a storybook! All the staff have been very friendly and knowledgeable.

Claire B — Google review

We went to see the sunset display and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very good to see a variety of birds flown and loved the Secretary bird. The staff do an amazing job in conservation, research and education, it was a really informative show

Becca S — Google review

One of the best places I have been to see bird shows and staff are supper friendly. If this place was an animal, it would be a wise owl that can fly like a falcon, as smart as a vulture, and is as majestic as a secretary bird.

Lee B — Google review

Amazing, fantastic, great, brilliant. Our visit to the hawk conservancy today made our hearts smile. The birds, setting and staff are just so good, words don't cover it. Thank you for giving us such a life experience

Nicola H — Google review

This is the third or fourth time we've been over the years, and it seems to be better each time. Make sure you plan to spend the whole day there and see all the talks and demonstrations. Each one is different, but each one is highly informative and entertaining at the same time. Their love for their birds is easy to see. You'll come away wanting to adopt a vulture! 😄🐣

Singing G — Google review

Fantastic day out!!Beautiful birds and very powerful and emotionally moving shows, birds get extremely close in their routines.If you attend first thing and do both the morning shows you then have a bit of a wait for the Owl show, especially as it's very easy to walk the entire Conservancy between the first and second show.The café was a little pricey but it's going towards a good cause so I can forgive that... nothing stopping you bringing your own picnic should you want to save some money.All staff polite, friendly and knowledgeable about the birds and the fantastic work they do in the Trust.Can't fault it, very enjoyable day out, would highly recommend.

Jamie — Google review

Wow, what a brilliant day all round. The whole experience was just wonderful. We could see all the birds close up in their aviaries, and then when they were let out to do their flying displays, it really was spectacular. They literally flew just above our heads, so close that we had to duck, so that they didn't collide with us. Also what we loved, was that they were all flying at the same time, and it was to music. A really lovely experience, and one that I would recommend to anyone.

Debbie A — Google review

We visit once or twice a year. It doesn't take long to walk around but if you do the displays, which are always good, have lunch you can easily make a day of it. My son has done the owl experience which was excellent. We have also done The Burrowers experience, they are so very cute. The restaurant has always been good too. There are 3 ladies toilets at different ends of the cafe.

Lisa R — Google review

If you didn't visit the Winter Woodland lights event this year, then make it a must for 2025. The owl display took place in a magical setting with wonderful illuminations. The narration that accompanied the show was captivating, and seeing the owls fly at night in their natural habitat was beautiful. We want to say a big thank you to Denise for showing us so much compassion when for personal reasons we could not attend on the original date we booked. We will definitely visit again in the summer season.

S C — Google review

Brilliant and educational. A fun day out where the skies of Africa come to life in front of you. Where you're wowed as you learn about their fantastic conservation work and sadly the appalling horrors of the ivory trade impacting the scavenger birds of prey such as vultures, which then create a wider impact on the environment with disease. The keepers love their birds....you can see it. The price of entry is reasonable, too, for 3 air displays and a couple of workshops. One of my very fave places to visit 😍 ❤️

Steph T — Google review

17

Millets Farm Centre

Farm

Sights & Landmarks

Animal park

Beautician

Family-oriented farm with animal visits, a play-area, eateries & a shop stocking area-sourced goods.

It is a lovely shopping farm 🚜🐄🌾 ideal for a weekend family 👪 outing. There are many things and activities for everyone. There are a lovely farm shop (prices are not admittedly not low), a garden centre with a lovely cafe and a kids play area. Large grounds for walking and having a picnic and several animals 🐵🐔🐶🐷 for the kids to watch around (see all photos attached). PYO (pick your own) available throughout the year (🍓, raspberries, 🌽).🅿 Parking: There are plenty of free spaces available. Never had a problem.🍲 Food: Food is average but their pizzas🍕 are highly recommended!👷‍♀️Staff: They try hard to be smiley and helpful. It is usually a crowded place, therefore staff are busy as well.📍Location: It is placed Southwest from Oxford. Easy access through A420, or A34 if you travel from North.😉Extra tip: Enjoy feeding the 🦆 and swans and have a lovely view of the lake! (see video attached).

Ilias K — Google review

It had finally stopped raining for a bit and many of the animals have not returned after the Winter but took the dog for a walk with a difference around the grounds, which gave him some different mental stimulation for his birthday! I also got a chance to have a look around the garden centre and the outdoor clothing shop with him.

Helen J — Google review

Took grandchildren and they absolutely loved it as with previous visits. Got there early no issue parking.Nicely spread out things to keep everybody entertained. Skittles putting multiple mazes and much more. Could easily spend whole day there as picnic tables and restaurant.They continue to invest in venue with multiple new things to maintain interest.One of very few places to get 5 stars from me well done

Alan S — Google review

A wonderful farm centre.Farm shopButchers, pasties, pies etc, cakes including a few vegan options, fresh breadWonderful fresh fruit and vegPick your OwnGarden CentreStallsRestaurant/cafeLoads of parkingAn animal walk to see emu, donkeys, goats, swans, ducks, horse and more. Free.Hand washing facilities.Small rides and hook a duck, although that is £4 a go!Definitely worth a visitYou can also pay to enter other attractions

Nicki S — Google review

It's a great place for a weekend outing. Apart from the brilliant farm shop and large garden centre, they have a lovely cafe and large grounds for walking. We also went for PYO several times, always good fun. Highly recommend!

Crista P — Google review

Huge complex with lots of parking, there's a garden centre, farm shop, cafe, restaurant, mini golf, playground, independent stalls, pick your own, seasonal events etc. It's located opposite abingdon prep school, it's really popular so there may be a queue to enter and leave. The garden centre is decent with a large variety of stuff for sale, the farm shop is very good quality with various deli counters, lots of fresh fruit, veg, meats, cheese, prepared meals etc. The cafe, and farmhouse kitchen are really popular, but service is brisk, and food is decent quality but a little expensive but it is good. We had pizza in the farmhouse kitchen which was good but a little expensive for me. Coffee was average, nothing special, they had a good selection of cakes on offer which are good. Recommended.

Mister E — Google review

Great day out for all ages. Pick your own strawberries/Raspberries, lots of small independent shops/stalls outside main buildings (which house garden centre and more shops). Small farm with lots of different farm animals to view and restaurants/Cafes when you need a break. Even a Falconry area. Easy to get to and parking is free. Really enjoyable day out

Annette I — Google review

What a little gem.....loads for the kids, loads for the adults and I highly recommend the bird of prey shows - they were amazing!!! It doesnt cost anything to enter - there is plenty to do without spending money but if you can afford to, the paying attractions were worth it.....oldy worldy fair rides (carousel, ferris wheel etc) £3 a ride. Garden centre, farm shop, a soft play barn which although we didn't use looked absolutely humongous (pay separately to use and apparently booking in advance was a must) they have a maize maze which we didnt use and was 8.99 entry and a pick your own area......lots of free things to do - plenty of farm animals, a play park, a lovely picnic area with a nice walk. I didn't see what the place with the birds pf prey was called but it was brilliant for the price (10.95 adults, 8.95 for kids (babies free)), you could use the place all day popping in and out, shows were at 11, 1, 3 and otter feeding at 4 and all the shows had different birds including a kookaburra and storks which I thought was very unique. Other animals they had were skunks, raccoons, marmosets, wallabys you can walk amongst, lemurs, owls, falcons, storks and even a tank of teeny weeny harvest mice at the entrance which was cool!!....the butterfly house was also amazing (although not so much on the hottest day of the year 😉)......just a lovely place I would go there again today if I didn't have to work!!!!

Gemma M — Google review

Had a lovely day out here where I visited the falconry centre on site as well as the many shops and cafe.This is a lovely place and while I spent a good few hours here I still did not see everything. Will have to come back to see the rest and I am very excited to do so.

Myles N — Google review

The Raccoon experience was amazing we got close to these wonderful creatures, they did things for their food like ring a bell and did little jumps. They took the food from our hands with they little paws and were just wonderful to be with. The keeper Alisa was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic she clearly loved these beautiful animals and her job. I encourage you to do this experience, you won't be disappointed or regret it.

Samantha L — Google review

Millets Farm is a wonderful place for everyone. PYO ( puck your own), 18 hole mini golf, adventure playground, soft play, birds and animals, restaurant, farm shop, maze and more. We just love it especially with the children but the “Ball, beer and burger nights are such fun too

Lynne S — Google review

This is a fantastic farm shop garden centre with novelty bits between the two.There is a nice area to walk down to a large pond with seating around too.The farm shop has a huge selection of vegetables and fruit, drinks cheeses preserves biscuits and more and an on site butcher.They appear to have areas with seasonal food too we visited in December and there was plenty of Christmas themed extras.The garden centre at the end is as good a large selection of plants for indoors and outdoors.They also change things seasonally it had a huge Christmas selection.There are two choices on places to eat the garden centre has a smaller menu more cafe style whilst the farm shop has a more restaurant style.Both serve a good selection of food and the garden centre food we had was really good as were their staffBetween the two buildings there are a selection of huts / tents selling a variety of things from garden ornaments unusual larger house display items an clothing.If you are close it's well worth a visit, give yourself plenty of time to browse you can easily loose a number of hours here.We have visited a number of times and normally spend a few hours there.

Nicholas T — Google review

A great experience! We visited during the Easter holidays. We paid to go in the zoo and saw some unusual falconry birds and a watched a really great display. There is also a hot house with a great butterfly selection. It would have been nice to have a bench in here as I have a disability. This took about an hour and a half and was approximately £8? each. We visited the cafe and had cakes and coffee. The Americano was too strong but cakes were great. There is a great gift shop in the garden centre with lovely items. Toilets are really nice and there were three in different areas. Staff are warm and friendly!

Summer T — Google review

Farmer Carter’s Courtyard is most definitely not worth the money, the rest of Millets Farm Centre is lovelyA visit of contrasts - the Farmer Carter Courtyard is basically just a bunch of old tractor tires filled in and stacked up, and some hay bales stacked up in a slightly sad looking muddy forest and fields to make a ‘children’s play area’, with some sad looking stables used as extra play zones. Could knock that together in my back garden so not sure why paying £20+ is worth it.Then on the good side, the staff at the Courtyard are brilliant and very kind to the children. And Millets Farm Centre itself has a decent cafe & restaurant with again lovely people working there, and a great playground that the kids loved as well as the animal walkway.Go to the main site, don’t bother spending your £20+ on the Courtyard bit

Alex H — Google review

First time at Millets. Impressed with the farm shop and the variety of fresh produce. We paid £10 to see the animals and had a great time.

Ashley — Google review

We visited for the falconry at Millets Wildside and it was fantastic. See review on their page.Millets itself is expanding and getting better all the time. Gets busy on warm days but plenty of parking

C N — Google review

The farm offers many activities especially for young children. Ours have grown up so we just visited the garden centre, we did look at some of the stalls as well as the farm shop.The garden centre has a large selection of Webber BBQs, garden buildings, plants and pet supplies.Plants include a very large selection of roses, exotic plants like tree ferns (of various sizes including very tall ones. They also have a large selection of water features and statues.We spent quite a while wondering round. There is so much. The good thing is that the prices are reasonable too with lots on offers.We had a great time, bought lots and will definitely be back for more.Highly recommended.

Andrew C — Google review

What a beautiful place and perfect for taking the kids out to.All of the staff were very friendly, the shops had some pretty interesting stuff and the animals were wonderful.Parking was great but I didnt get to check out the toilets. Maybe next time though, I've heard incredible things.

Kevin G — Google review

Love it, love it, love it!!!My friend and I took a trip over recently and had a fab time. The queue for lunch can get very long, so be prepared to wait a moment. The outside area is always clean and tidy.We enjoyed seeing the animals and can’t wait until the maze is open again!The garden centre can be quite expensive, but they offer a very good range of plants. I have to say the bee friendly pollinator plants section is my favourite!

Natascha H — Google review

It is a truly amazing place with so much to see and enjoy for the whole family😀the only downside if you can call that, is that all electric toys (tractors, diggers etc) use £1 coins which if you haven't got on you or notes then there is no chance you can get cash from anywhere at the farm as there is no ATM or any other ways even at the tills.As a suggestion you could have one of these change machines maybe😀

Molnar C — Google review

I have actually been 3 times this week.1 for a dog walk in the woods, it was beautiful and best of all it was free. My 1 year old walked along the pathway past the various animals which she loved, our doggy enjoyed seeing the animals, smelling new smells and enjoy the woods to explore.2nd visit was for lunch in the garden centre cafe, food was tasty, but the jacket for me was watery. My cousin had a lovely fish salad which looked amazing. Great play area there for a children and water feature.3rd visit was for golf, we will definitely be back here. Staff were lovely, courses were clean and no debris in the way. My 1 year old even got given a plasticClub to 'join in'!

Kerry F — Google review

We had a present for a Meerkat experience at Millets Wildside which was really good. The keeper was very informative about the Meerkats and was very friendly. In addition to the experience we were able to see a flying display of birds of prey and also look around Millets Wildside. These too were really good.

Alison S — Google review

Amazing day at the Falconry Experience amazing birds and more. Great flying display from an Owl Peregrine Falcon and an Eagle.Lunch in the Cafe was ok but not as many choices as previously and disappointed with no jacket potatoes 😢 on the menu. The farm shop is always a lovely browse with one or two treats to take home..cheeses, crumble or bakery treats 😋

Kathryn W — Google review

Me and my kids enjoy this place .. you can watch farm animals and have a good walk.. also there is a play ground for kids and a small restaurant and shop..kid friendly highly recommend

Najla A — Google review

Visited for the Halloween night and it was fabulous. We had such a great night and didn’t expect that much. We had so much fun and were impressed by the entertainment. The trail in the forest was so well made and amazing. Will definitely come back again to explore more of the farm during daytime.

Melanie M — Google review

We visited in half term with our grandchildren 6 & 9, we pre booked for John Lawsons circus pleased we did as we saw some people turned away as it was full. A good show with a few to many girl acrobatics. The other acts were professional and entertaining. We made a mistake of choosing the pop up cafe for coffee and what was advertised as a milkshake to be given a small carton of chocolate flavoured milk. We walked around the animal paddocks and the children enjoyed a ride on the carousel.

Derek — Google review

I first visited last year when a raccoon experience I’d booked for my brother was taking place in the wildlife area. It was a wet, damp & extremely dismal day so I was surprised to find the place was packed with minimal parking spaces to be found - they have a lot of spaces. So many people that trying to enter the garden centre was near-on impossible. I wandered around the free farm area section (the drinks hut in the picnic area sells lovely sausage rolls; some of the best I’ve ever tasted) avoiding running/screaming children & people with out-of-control dogs & promised I’d not go back, however, my brother said that the wildlife area was lovely & he thought we should give it another chance at a later date. This we did a few weeks back, however, it was the last day of the school holidays & if I thought it was busy with ferals running about before, it was ten-times worse this time; not the fault of the farm at all, although a member of staff telling the group of lads kicking footballs at everyone sitting trying to eat their lunch at the picnic area would have been nice, as the parents were nowhere to be seen. Whilst I love to see kids playing I don't want a ball landing on my head when I'm eating.We headed into the cafe inside the garden centre where we ate some overpriced food that I’m pretty sure had been heated in a microwave - I say this because my chilli nachos were ice cold in the middle yet burning hot on the outside. Who sells jacket potatoes without offering butter? My travel companion was most disappointed in this. Because of such a busy & disappointing experience we decided not to stop.Third time though was definitely the luckier time. We were at a loose end in the area with a few hours to spare so gave it another shot & it did not disappoint.The garden centre area is what it is; a garden centre. The queuing system is non-existent & it’s quite easy for rude, ignorant middle-aged men to push in front of you. A group of elder ladies behind me were very vocal in their dissing of the queue & lack of open tills, however, that’s par for the course in most garden centres, & shops these days so to be expected.This time we chose to eat in the cafe next to the farm shop. Arriving just past 11am we were too late for the breakfast we were wanting, however, I can highly recommend the chelsea buns, the best I’ve ever tasted. Apparently the iced bun was good too. The tea is a little weak, again, not unusual for cafes but the pot it came in was huge & shared between two of us, both getting three cups full out of it. The queuing system again caused a lot of consternation from other’s waiting as they felt people were queue jumping but the staff have a great system & you get your drinks in the order you paid for them so take note if you’re planning to visit. We sat inside as it was raining but there is a lot of seating outdoors too. I also liked the family area (although the group of women with children who could have used this area decided to seat themselves in the main area even though the family side was empty) & I love that they have a quiet area, however, this was filled with ‘ladies who lunch’ & they were anything but quiet.The farm shop was stocked with all you would expect - I can highly recommend the cherry pie! The fruit and veg was of good quality. The butchery was well-stocked but the staff all appeared as if they would rather be somewhere else & were happily chatting about their weekend plans in the back whilst two of us were there waiting to be served - they knew we were there too - & it pains me to say it but the meat I bought (pork, beef and lamb) was completely flavourless. A real shame as I use my local farm shop at home because their food & quality is so good. Prices for everything were as you would expect. A lot more expensive than a greengrocer or local butcher, but they have a good range of stock & did I mention how good the cherry pie in the farm shop was?I can highly recommend the wildlife centre; costs extra but really worth it.

Sarah — Google review

4.5

(5036)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (102)

4.0

(880)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (103)

Kingston Rd, Frilford, Abingdon OX13 5HB, United Kingdom

+44 1865 392221

18

Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (104)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (105)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (106)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (107)

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Theme park

Water & Amusement Parks

Amusement park

The theme park home to Peppa Pig World offers plenty of fun for all the family with gentle rides, themed areas and 70 exciting attractions.

Fantastic experience for little one (and for us parents too). Booked in advance for no more than £100 - one day. No long waits for attractions (no more than 5 minutes). Very clean and nice rides. Just would recommend to bring your own food as restaurant offers are very basic. Very happy, we will come back again.

Ricardo N — Google review

We went on a weekday for my little girls first birthday and I don't think I'd ever visit. Theme park again on a weekend or in the school holidays. There were no waiting times for the rides. It was an enjoyable experience. Pepper pig world is the main reason we travelled the two and a half hours and that didn't disappoint either. It was bigger than I expected and my one year old loved it.The park was big and clean. I can't fault anything about the day to be honest.

Rebecca A — Google review

Took my daughter here for her fourth birthday. She loved it. Pepper pig world was amazing. Plenty to do and see. The other part of the park is aimed at older people, with some big rollercoasters and more extreme rides. Going during the week at term time, there were no ques for anything. If you have kids younger than school age, it's definitely a good time to go. Some animals to see including birds, foxes, penguins, rodents and tortoise's.The Japanese gardens are amazing and superbly well looked after.Lots of toilets and all seemed clean.Plenty of parking too.A great day out.

Greg R — Google review

Best Theme Park In The UK!This park has something for all ages from thrill rides to small kids rides that everyone can enjoy. Waiting times are always short or non existent which means you can manage plenty of rides and get your moneys worth!The park is also always nice and clean and stays that way the entire day including bathrooms and the food outlets. Food is quite pricey now but it does taste good and is nicely themed into each of the areas.There is so much here at Paultons Park and I am so excited for the future as it is such an amazing park. Only thing I would like to see improved is an indoor ride added!

ThemeParkJaden — Google review

A wonderful theme park and a nice world for kids to escape from the school and other stresses. Recommended two days to fully enjoy the rides without any hurry. The restaurants inside are over pricey, and that's the only negative point I see. The restrooms are very neat and clean, staffs are super polite.This is a real competitor for Disneyland,IMHO. 5 ✨

Ashok M — Google review

Much better than I thought it would be.No matter what your child's age is, there's something there for a range of ages.Plenty of baby changing facilities around the park that are well maintained.Various places to eat. We ate at the burrito place, and the portions were massive (£12.95 for a meal deal).We went just before Halloween on a Sunday when the weather was a bit iffy. The queues weren't too bad, most were very short.The 2 babies in our group loved the live entertainment, even though they were too young to understand it.Buy tickets in advance because they are cheaper than on the day.The only issue I found was the re-entry system. They stamp your hand with a UV stamp (that can only be seen under a UV light). But when trying to re-enter, there only seemed to be a couple of people with the torches on the entry turn styles. So I queued up in 2 different queues to be told they didn't have a torch and to queue again somewhere else! By that point, I asked them to bring the torch to me, instead of queuing up for a third time.

Chris M — Google review

Great day at the park. everyone there was friendly and helpful. The rides were perfectly set for the height restrictions. There were plenty of places to stop and rest or for kids to just play. The kids playground and slash Park were just was needed in the heat of the day.We all enjoyed it and will be back again. The parking is free and facilities are great and I highly recommend it for parents with toddlers.

Nirav P — Google review

This was our first time with two kids (age 4,7) and we all enjoyed it! We have been to different parks but this one was a bit different. The park was clean and we didn’t wait too long for the rides! both my son and daughter had great fun on the rides. There are quite a few good restaurants/eating places and loads of Parking. I think I have not seen this big Parking for any theme park in the UK. Amazing! My daughter has already taken promise from me that we will come again!

Ash S — Google review

One of the best themed parks in UK. The experience started from the spacious parking area which you won’t spend more time to find a spot. I purchased my teeth tickets in advance and it was cheaper than buying them form the reception. The waiting times for the rides was reasonable during this visit as it was during the weekdays. Our last visit was over the weekend and waiting times was very disappointing.The park is divided manily into three themed zones and each one has different rides for all ages. Peppa pig world is the most crowded one, so be prepared for the extra wait time. Shops and restaurants are found in each zone and the provide different selections of food.You would definitely need more than one day to try most of the rides in the different zones. It was a great experience for the family day out and I would highly recommend it.

Attallah — Google review

One of the best Theme parks. Took boys 14 & 9.Although it was a lovely day, queues were short, about 5 or 10 minutes. Everything was clean & tidy, saw NO litter & bins were never full. Lots of helpful staff around & absolutely loads to do. Plenty of places to picnic or just rest & came home with two exhausted children. Prices of food & drinks etc were a bit high but that's the same everywhere unfortunately. Will definitely be visiting again soon.

Lesley B — Google review

The park is beautifully maintained, with so much for all ages to do! So many rides, parks etc. It is all so well organised!Staff were great! Food is overpriced for what you get but it is a theme park! Kids loved everything! Will definitely be returning!

Elie M — Google review

Brilliant Park. Even in the summer holidays, on days with nice weather we didn't queue for longer than 15 minutes.My youngest was right on 90cm, so I wish we'd known on day one about the wristbands so they don't have to be remeasured each time. We did it on the second day and worked great - if your child won't keep it on, have it put on a parent, though, because once it's off, it's invalid.Great variety of rides, food was good and staff were all very friendly.I bought a photo pass and was delighted that it lasts until 12/2025, so I can bring it on our next trip. I didn't have to use it in one go.The highlight of our summer holidays. We did the overnight stay and would say I don't recommend the hotel we used at all, but the park was brilliant

G. G — Google review

Booked for 2 days in the park with a hotel stay. Really impressed with Peppa pig world and there was so much to do and see in the other areas too including a splash pad and numerous play areas. Plenty of rides for my son who was 5 to go on.The park was really well kept, clean and tidy with beautiful gardens.Will be returning.

Ali — Google review

Me and my family had a wonderful time at the park yesterday 16.5.22 for my daughters 3rd birthday. It was our first trip and we can wait to come back. The park it’s self is amazing, we mainly spent the day in Peppa pig world which was so much fun, great rides, looks great with characters around the park and the gardens/hedges cut into characters. Queue times fantastic, straight on rides, ok we went school term which helps, but the park was still fairly busy but basically straight on every ride. The Peppa pig shop is amazing and very reasonably priced. George’s soft play the kiddies loved and it was so clean. The staff was one of the highlights for us, super friendly and engaging with us, all the staff noticed it was my daughters birthday and was engaging with her and gave her a Paultons birthday badge, and one nice lady even sang to her, the staff are a credit to the company so thank you. The park looks great and is well kept and very clean throughout. My son loved the splash zone and the log flume. Honestly the company should be proud of what they have from the park to all the staff, we can’t stop thinking about our day and like I’ve said can’t wait to return, THANK YOU.

Ashley W — Google review

Best Theme Park I have been too. attraction still looks new, the garden and landscaping is amazing " it’s botanical garden not theme park". F&B outlets are very good comparing to other theme parks.Suitable for all ages.I recommend visiting the park in week days, waiting time was from 0 to 5 minutes.

Khalid S — Google review

Lovely place for kids. The little ones had so much fun. The rides are really good and mostly small children can get on them.The place is a fairy 🧚‍♂️ land, super clean environment.

Basil E — Google review

What an amazing experience, plenty of rides to all age groups, kids will enjoy a lot for sure, better to visit in weekdays so that waiting time is less and more rides could be enjoyed for the day.There are plenty of restaurants and fast food outlets to crave our taste buds.Exceptionally well service from working staff.It is better to plan which rides you're interested in and would like to experience.Parking is free and is near the entrance.

Kiran H — Google review

Wonderful place for young children. Been to Disney land and this is so much better for parents. Queues are minimal in November and kids get to enjoy themselves on the rides and indoor playground, rather than spending time in humongous queues.Places is tidy and neat with good food choices. There are also rides for older kids in another section.Highly recommended.

N G — Google review

It was a dream come true for my Daughter. She had the BEST day visiting Peppa pig’s world with her friends. It was so beautiful and we as adults enjoyed it too! We visited during Halloween and the decorations were so gorgeous . It was so worth the 2 hours journey from London. We would definitely visit again hopefully next Spring-Summer.

SOHEILA T — Google review

Excellent experience. Staff are amazing, rides are great, park is clean and very well-maintained. The only criticism is the food and drink prices but you expect these to be expensive at a theme park.

Anthony B — Google review

Great day out with the family, lots of places to sit down and eat either your own or buy on site. I've posted a few pictures of the gardens, which are just as good as the rides! The site is probably aimed at under 12 years old, but there are plenty of adult rides too.Real clean site and the facilities are top notch. Go and enjoy

Michael A — Google review

Had the most amazing day with our 6 year old. Able to go on almost all the rides and some on his own so loved the independence. Been to lots of parks around the country and this rates so high on fun and value for money. The food was lovely too! All round family fun day!

Nick G — Google review

Overall we were really happy with the short break we booked, I would definitely recommend 2 days. Our 4 year old spent the whole first day in peppa pig world and then we managed to do some of the other parts of the park on day 2. The photo pass is worth it although there were so many photos I wanted to keep just having 5 was a hard choice.Even though it was relatively busy the queue times went pretty quick and we found there was so much to do at the park. We will 100% visit again once our 4 month old is around 3-4 years old so we can enjoy more of the rides together as a family.Look forward to our next visit

Christopher G — Google review

Good park for all ages. There are rides for kids and adults. Free parking and easy entry to the park. Food is reasonably priced. They just need to introduce fast track queue specially on busy days other than this there is no need to introduce that. Peppa pig is fun. There is mini zoo to keep little kids interested.No discount option on tickets (like NHS, Armed forces) however kids under 1 meter go free.

Deven G — Google review

It's absolutely amazing. Wish was there for more than a day as children loved every minute (even myself) but won't tell the children that. Apart from having to, go had a great day. Toilets are located in many places, so there are no accidents if you are with young children or even slightly older. Many food restaurants in site too and rollercoasters if you have adrenaline junkie kids there are a few to enjoy too.

Michael O — Google review

Super place to visit, however i do recommend going there for 2 days as 1 really is not enough to enjoy all the rides and activities there.Plenty of rides for all ages, home to Peppa Pig World and overall a very positive experience with everything.Plenty of places to eat, drink and enjoy a lovely and fun day for all ages really.

Adrian I — Google review

This is a lovely park with something for everyone.There are great rides for kids, animals to see, excellent dining options, fun photo opportunities, a water park, and many other attractions.The park is immaculately maintained, showing a refreshing attention to detail.It also offers free parking, which is considerate for families.We had a wonderful day and it is definitely worth visiting.

Mina — Google review

An impressive place indeed! Super clean, friendly and attentive staff who pay extra attention to food allergies and go the extra mile, a picturesque park with lots to explore, we plan to return when the weather improves as half a day was not enough! It’s the theme park of dreams!

Josephine W — Google review

Peppa pig world is fantastic, the whole group aged from 2-75 years old thoroughly enjoyed our visit.My only suggestion would be to have water points throughout the park so that people can refill their water bottles instead of wasting more plastic buying water.You could easily spend 2 days or more here going on all the rides throughout the whole park.We went mid week during term time and didn’t need to queue for any rides.

Matt M — Google review

The best and cleanest theme park in the U.K. we went mainly for Peppa pig world for our daughter and she absolutely loved it. Lots do to for all ages here. They have things for infants, babies, children, teens and even adults. Also the park is kept so clean and pristine. The hedges are cut beautiful and also well maintained. There's so much to do at this park you won't be able to do it all in 1 day. I wish we had gone for 2 days. Definitely make the journey here. It is well worth the visit.

Gurpz M — Google review

This place is amazing both for kids and adults. They have rides for kids and adults. It is clean and well maintained.My 3-year-old daughter loved it.Definitely recommend it.However, need two days to explore this place.

Ronak D — Google review

My 4 year old daughter gave it a 4 star.The costumes look good and the staff is very friendly. The music and scenary gives it a nice atmosphere.Has a great playground for kids to spend the rest of day with nice slides and musical experiences.On the negative side, the peppa pig world character houses felt very empty, a missed opportunity to place there interactive experiences and more stuff inspired by the show, like peppa’,s bed, peppa pig kitchen, the same for the bus or daddys car. It would be great if the people in costumes would also talk to children or have some speaker (with the original characters voice), my daughter was worried that peppa pig or momy pig was not talking to her.Additionally to ask for the full price ticket when you only visit peppa pig world makes it a bit overpriced.Well, overall, my daughter still had a very good time at this theme park.

A F — Google review

We went on a Saturday (Bank Holiday weekend). The longest queue was about 30 minutes, and that was one queue. All the rest was a maximum of 15 minutes and as short as 5 minutes. Very spacious lots to do and see. We have a 2 year old, and I loved the fact they had the kids' small toilet seat on the toilets in both men and women's. Toilet facilities are everywhere, so no accidents. Very clean and lots of seating areas. Definitely would recommend it.

Chantelle H — Google review

Would and will return. Lovely park with so much todo.. In many way betters than Alton Tower for children with much more to offer in terms of rides and even food and shops.Great food, well looked after and very beautifully located near the New Forest. Extremely clean and well maintained

Andrew S — Google review

Fabulous place.New to us, much bigger than we thought. Lovely gardens and animals around the park,all very well looked after. The exhibits were excellent, large areas and perfect for the animals.Some good rides for the family and Peppa Pig world is brilliant for younger children.Some exciting new things for next year to look forward to.Really good food options for every taste, including vegetarian and vegan guests.Prices are really good too.We're going to return at some point later.Definitely worth it.

Steve W — Google review

Great place for younger children. Ours absolutely loved the rides, seeing the characters and all the animals dotted around the park. The queue times were short as we went in November. The park is kept to a really high standard and was pleasantly pleased to see the effort in the aesthetics. Only thing letting it down is the food and drink prices. If you want a coffee then don't expect a lot of change from £5!

The J — Google review

This is probably the best theme park we have been to as a family.It may not have the fastest or the most adrenaline pumping rides, but everything here is so clean and queues are barely existent. I think the longest we queued for a ride was 5 minutes.Some rides weren’t open at the start of the day but this was clearly shown on lots of the screens around the park, but they all opened when they said they would.There’s so much to do for all ages. We didn’t even get round to doing everything, despite being there from open to close!All the staff were really friendly and helpful, the character meet and greets were lovely and they were very patient with our very over excited son!We can’t wait to go back again!

Coldi R — Google review

Little tots, small children, teenagers,big kids (adults) even dare I say it, grandparents would love this place, something for everybody in fact.Ideally this place is very near perfect, plenty of entertainment for all ages,loads of eating & drinking places,loads of indoor cover if the weather is a bit iffy like this year and plenty of stuff to buy to keep the kids happy, great, well kept gardens, what's not to like.quite easy to get to as well (we came down from the East Midlands in about two and a half hours, what are you waiting for,visit soon.

Clive W — Google review

Absolutely incredible!This theme park was overwhelmingly good! Very clean, accommodating and something for everyone.As a SEND family, we can't thank your staff enough for being incredibly supportive and inclusive. The consideration gone into making the park accessible and inclusive truly blew us away! Each member of staff warmly greeted us and offered us further assistance, they were patient and made us aware that was no rush. We were really impressed by the whole experience.The park it's self has so much to offer. We spent 2 days there and will definitely be returning.Thank you so much.

Kayleigh N — Google review

We were visiting from Australia and can honestly say this is the cleanest and prettiest theme park I have been too. So much greenery and beautiful landscaped gardens. It makes the day so much more enjoyable rather than seeing a normally concrete jungle at other parks. I would like to commend all staff who keep the place so beautiful. Our daughter aged 4 was able to go on all the rides and we had the best day. Going a week day out of school holidays meant our longest wait for a ride was 5 minutes. We were able to ride her favourite ones multiple times. If you are considering taking your children here, it is a no brainer. You will not regret it. Thank you for a brilliant day! Photos with review are on the lovely gardens.

Bek M — Google review

We had an absolutely brilliant time with our 3 year old daughter. Very well maintained and lots of variety of activities. Only suggestion is to add some more vegetarian options in the restaurant.Will visit again!

P K — Google review

Great place to visit with plenty to see and do. My grandchildren loved it. It isnt cheap to go but worth every penny. As a disabled person, my only request would be for some of the plentiful resting area benches to be higher as it was a real struggle to get up after sitting.......

Melody K — Google review

Had such a great day! Visited on a Monday with an 8 year old and a 2 year old, was something for all of us including the adults. Food was priced ok too although if you brought your own there were lots of places to find a seat and chill.Biggest thing that shocked us was the very small or no ques whatsoever. Didn’t wait for more than 10 minutes for any ride. Nice selection of animals to view too.Recommended!

Tom B — Google review

First time visiting. So much bigger than we thought. Garden and animals were fantastic, all very well kept in great condition.The entire park was clean and tidy. Good choice of rides for young families and little ones love Peppa pig world!Excellent food options including vegetarian and vegan.The vegan 'not-dog' was very tasty and a good size. Curly fries portion was great.Definitely worth booking in advance for a discount. We are going to visit again.

Steve W — Google review

4.7

(19848)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (109)

4.5

(10663)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (110)

Romsey, SO51 6AL, United Kingdom

+44 23 8081 4442

19

Hurst Castle

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Castle

Sights & Landmarks

Heritage building

Historical landmark

Built in 1544, Hurst Castle is one of the Device Forts built along King Henry VIIIs coastal defence chain. The fortress lies on a spit of land jutting out into the Channel and was used as an artillery position to protect the entrance to the Solent. Today, the castle is a popular tourist attraction with exhibits about its history and a cafe.

Always a good place to go with the kids. They still enjoyed going around the castle even though part of it is closed while being assessed for safety after the storm damage to the sea defenses a while back. A long walk along the spit, but you can get a ferry from Keyhaven if it's too far. Great views of the Solent, Needles, Isle of Wight and the coastline.

Jules G — Google review

Really enjoyed visiting Hurst Castle with my 10 year old daughter and young dog. Was nice being able to go together without any restrictions for dogs. The staff on the ferry and at the castle were friendly and helpful. We didn't get to visit the whole area before the last ferry, but plan to go again when the Victorian east and west wings are open. My daughter had a great time exploring all the rooms and they both enjoyed the ferry. We had never been before and was our dogs first time on a boat, so was a fun experience. The views were beautiful from every direction. Parking was difficult as the main car park was very busy and had to wait for a space. This may be due to the weather being so nice as waited around 30-40 minutes for the ferry too. As the car park is a pay and display, it is worth allowing enough time.

Sas L — Google review

On the one hand, it’s a cool fortress/battery used during WWII and the very first exhibit, the guards house is very informative and haunting. But then the rest of the areas are rather empty, aside from the large cannons and the theatre. On the other hand, if you’re interested in the older castle, there’s much less info on the subject. It’s cool but on a cold windy day, I’m not sure if it’s worth the long walk out along the gravel beach.

Stephen M — Google review

Cool place to visit for a couple of hours, a bit more modern than a typical castle. A few decent little displays set up with history and info but other than that not much to do there. Small cafe outside and boat rides from the car park to avoid a 45min walk, very limited toilet facility that is basically outdoors.

Scott R — Google review

Great day out! Lots to see. Could be a more info/description but it’s a huge property with minimal staffing. Views from the top are spectacular. Could’ve spent much longer in the light house Museum which was really interesting. Fun going on the ferry. Ferry prices £8 return not unreasonable considering 25 min journey.

Anne-Marie T — Google review

Not much of it open because of the repair work from the sea damage but worth a trip to say you've been. I imagine in warm weather it would be amazing but having no obvious picnic area, was tricky as we bought a picnic along for a 2 and 5 year olds. Lots of steps which was difficult with a pram. The ferry across I thought was pricey so say there wasn't much to see at the castle, staff were very friendly and helpful.

Michelle D — Google review

Interesting English Heritage building with excellent coffee from the little cafe! Spent an enjoyable couple of hours here exploring and reading some of the history. It is possible to take a ferry but we walked the two miles along the spit, very bracing!

Whitstable W — Google review

Wonderful day out, nice walk (but on stones so in places hard under foot). Beautiful views all around and we were amazed that the Isle of Wight was really close! Not wheel chair friendly.

Hayley2203 — Google review

Had a nice time with granddaughter at Hurst Castle. She enjoyed the dressing up and the games activities and the boat crossing. Even saw the paddleship The Waverley from the battlements. Only thing I'd say is about the level of maintenance in terms of an historic site. I accept they now have a lot of expense as a result of the Eastern wall collapse but even that might have been avoided with preventative measures. But also many of the steel doors to the munitions rooms are just being allowed to rust away to nothing which is a shame.

Ron R — Google review

If you are a fan of scenic beach walks, historical places and wopping great cannons, then Hurst Castle is one to stick on your list!An easy 2 mile walk along the spit from Milford-on-Sea has you stood at the base of the awe inspiring, granite-faced, gun ports of Hurst Castle. What looks to be a small coastal fort from a distance will leave your jaw on the ground when up close. It's massive, really massive! A near full access castle, that lets you explore it's nooks and crannies. The history of the fort is well explained and there are many exhibits to see. The kids will love seeing the cannons that are still in there original placements, including the huge 36 ton guns. There are great views from the rooftop vantage points, giving great opportunities for keen photographers to grab some shots of The Needles of the Isle of Wight. Very fairly priced (at the time of writing) adults £7, kids £5.50.Well worth the few hours you will easily spend there.

Alan S — Google review

First time visiting, it is a very very long walk from the car park on shingles so we took the ferry which takes about 15 minutes and is reasonably priced. The views from the top are excellent and the information board dotted around the site are very detailed and gives you insight into the conditions of troops stationed there in WW2. A very pleasant day had by all the family.

Charlie H — Google review

Great place, we went on the ferry and walked back along the shingle path which is a bit hard going but has wonderful views. The castle is very interesting although would benefit from signage in the rooms, we didn't have the audio tour so maybe we should have but still really enjoyed our visit

Lynda E — Google review

Great place to visit. Even just to walk out and back. Ferry is available for the not so active which is a pleasant jaunt across. Small cafe by the castle knocks out coffee, cake, sausage rolls and the likes. Be warned it's only small and can probably sell out on a busy day, so don't be afraid to bring a picnic ☺️

Roaming P — Google review

Lovely day out. Went out on ferry. Small 12 ferry on way out as low tide. Came back on larger boat on return.A lovely combination of WW2 and King Henry VIII. Fort and castle. Spend a couple of hours and finish with a lovely baguette. Ferry home.Very relaxed on a bank holiday weekend. Which is hard to come by!

Alex W — Google review

A great place to visit on a budget with plenty to see, lots of stairs to climb while rewarded lovely views of the coastline and the isle of wight. £6.00 is the adult entry price here. There are volunteers on site to give you an in depth detailed history lesson on parts of the castle. I would recommend that on a hot day you'll want to take a drink as there can be some sun traps.

Andrea M — Google review

If ever you need a reason to become English Heritage Member, this is it! Stunning preservation of history through the years from Henry VIII to Elizabeth II, this costal defense has been imperative to our island independence. Now travel through the eras and understand how it happened.Oh, most amazing views too, Ace walk out and fabulous ferry ride back.

Nigel J — Google review

Loved this place, a complete day out for the family.Firstly you can either walk 2 miles to the fort or jump on a small ferry which holds approximately 10 people.So naturally me and the wife and the 3 dogs hopped on the ferry. Let me tell you this was a mini adventure in itself and in my opinion very fairly priced.The fort itself is vast and steeped in history. You and your dogs can explore nearly every nook and cranny of the place. Perfect place for families with kids and or pets.There is a little cafe on site which considering its isolated nature (all the goods are brought in on the ferry) is very competitively priced, I'd even go as far as staying it's cheaper than some of the onshore surrounding cafes.

James B — Google review

Loved the space around, location, the ferry crossing in small boat from Keyhaven gives good views of castle.Interior needs a little more signage and update sharing of info. Also minimal refreshment offering.Potential great. And picnicking in the sun...lovely I'd go again just to walk along the coast sand and across the sea between islands.

Sonya B — Google review

Great English heritage site and good to see restoration in action. Beautiful walk along the spit to get there too.Getting the ferry and entrance would be pricy for a family without membership though and the cafe was independent and not owned by English heritage.

Jenny C — Google review

We took the ferry from the carpark to the Castle and walked back ..lovely walk....Very interesting place lots of amazing history..so close to the Isle of Wight ..you can clearly see the Needles and coast line Well worth a visit..We will definitely go back on our next visit to Hampshire

Denise Y — Google review

Visited here with my grandparents who found exploring the left side of the venue quite challenging with many high steps and different levels to explore. However, the right side of the establishment is mostly flat and more interactive with lots of information on offer, something that I felt the left side was missing! Unfortunately a few areas of the building were under construction and some were not accessible. I would revisit for this reason as I enjoy exploring something for the whole family.

Charlie H — Google review

Great experience. We came with the ferry which was nice for the kids. There was some nice activities for the kids and many places to see. You can walk around the castle too and enjoy the open air. A cafe outside with some light snack. Many visitors come with their dogs.All in all a good visit which took 3-4 hours.

Ben M — Google review

Beautiful day and enjoyed the walk, the history and the ferry back.

Mark S — Google review

An iconic fortress built by Henry VIII in the 16th century right at the coast with a beautiful view of the Isle of Wight and the "three needles," plenty of intriguing artifacts from World War II and the largest canons I've ever seen. It's a breezy hike of 2 miles from the mainland across the pebbled Hurst spit from Keyhaven or Milford on Sea, so be prepared.

Andy S — Google review

The castle isnt very big so an hour is a good amount of time to walk round, plenty of benches to sit and have lunch. I reasonable price for the amount you see and do, a smaller musem so £7.50 for an adult is fair. You can access many points on the top of the castle so you cna see beautiful views. There is a café outside the castle, the only toilets are available with admission to the castle, so just be aware if you walk and aren't planning on entering the castle there is no toilet.A lovely, yet windy walk, along the coast leads you to the castle. It took about an hour at a leisurely pace from Hurst Road East Car Park. P.S. there was a castle doggo who was very sweet and can be found near the owner, but nearer guests eating lunch.

Lucy_ M — Google review

It's a lovely walk to Hurst Castle along the shingle spit. The sea is on one side and the lagoon in the other. Beautiful views, and up until the end of October, you can catch the ferry over to Keyhaven.

Alison F — Google review

A long and windy walk down to Hurst Castle that from a distance looked closed. It wasn't and what a surprise to find such an interesting place to visit.It's an English Heritage site so we finally managed to get use of our membership. To the ferry back, which was a little expensive but saved are already worn out legs a little.

Paul S — Google review

Hurst Castle is a fantastic place to visit! There are so many areas to explore and plenty of historical artifacts to see. It's definitely worth the money and offers a great experience. Everything is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is wonderful. Highly recommended for a fun and educational outing!

Artur N — Google review

We parked in the car park (5.00 for 4 hours) and walked, it’s 2 miles and very windy on shingle. We went for the walk and to see the fort, if you don’t like walking, Hurst castle is best avoided. I enjoyed it, however they need some signs and more information. Be mindful of the tides, we nearly had to get the ferry back, as the water comes in very fast and prevents you from getting back to the shingle bank to walk back.

L L — Google review

You can either walk out to the castle along the shingle spit or take a ferry from Keyhaven. There is a cost to go inside the castle but the walk out there is well worth it, in any weather, just make sure you have the right clothes.

Alex D — Google review

Hurst Castle is an absolute gem on the south coast of England, steeped in history and offering a unique experience. The castle's rich history as a coastal defense structure is fascinating, and you can feel the echoes of the past as you explore its sturdy walls.What's truly convenient is the direct ferry service from the village's parking area to the castle, making it accessible for families. At just £7 for an adult round-trip ticket, it's a steal.Once inside, the £6 adult admission fee is well worth it. The castle's interior is a treat for history buffs and casual visitors alike. You'll appreciate the picturesque views from the battlements and the peaceful atmosphere.Don't forget to explore the nearby lighthouse, a wonderful bonus to your visit, and enjoy a cup of coffee in the charming café.I highly recommend Hurst Castle to anyone seeking a blend of history, natural beauty, and a touch of adventure. It's a fantastic destination for a day out, and you'll leave with memories and photos to cherish.

KAROL K — Google review

Pleasant day here, took the boat to and from Castle. Great views across the Solent.

Malcolm B — Google review

Great place to visit. So different to wherever have been and just as old as some. Only thing it was busy and there was an hours waiting to get back on the ferry. We didn't factor this in and we were well over time in the car park.

Lesley B — Google review

Great English Heritage site to visit. Original castle fort plus many additions over the years. You can walk there along the shingle or pay to get the little ferry boat from Keyhaven. Lots of history and rooms to explore. Little cafe at the entrance and toilets inside the grounds. Dogs welcome on a lead. There is the main carpark near the ferry or parking near the shingle beach where you can walk from (parts of the entrance road do flood at high tide)Could easily spend many hours looking around everything. It does close for winter from the end of October half term to Easter.

Caycay's F — Google review

Amazing Castle/Fort. A must see for anyone in this area.This place is accessed via a walk or ferry. With 2 little ones we opted for the ferry. At high tide they use a 98 person ferry however when the tide is low they switch to 10-12 person boats. So we had the big boat on the way out and a little boat on the way back which the kids loved as it added even more to the novelty of taking a boat to a castle. However this did generate quite a queue for the little boats so if you go plan in a 30min wait for the little boats for your parking. We did during high summer on a fine day so probably quite busy so it might be fine in off season.The castle is fantastic so much to see, from information on the castle as built by Henry VIII to it's later use by Victorians and during the world wars. They also have an amazing section about light houses.The guns are impressive and the castle has a great views over to the isle of wight.We did the little morse code trail, which the kids absolutely loved. Some tricky ones to find but it really encouraged us to look everywhere.They also have a great arts and craft hall for kids which my two loved doing some colouring and craft to break up their visit.Cafe outside the castle, while small has lovely selection of drinks and tasty sausage rolls. It has one table inside and lots of picnic benches outside.

A W — Google review

What a lovely place to have a look round, we spent longer than we thought, full of atmosphere and history.The little ferry ride getting there was really nice too, although you can walk

Adam K — Google review

Lots of interesting history of the castle and the lighthouse. Great views and lots to explore. Little ferry ride there and back if you don't want to walk down the spit.

John E — Google review

4.4

(2300)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (114)

4.0

(1430)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (115)

Milford on Sea, Lymington, SO41 0TP, United Kingdom

+44 1590 642500

20

Highclere Castle

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40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (118)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (119)

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Castle

Sights & Landmarks

Highclere Castle is a historic country residence, renowned for being used as a key filming location in the popular British television series Downton Abbey. Located in a picturesque setting, Highclere Castle boasts grand interiors and sprawling grounds that are open to visitors during seasonal periods. Guided tours are available and include visits to the castle gardens and nearby locations that were also featured in the show such as Bampton. Visitors can easily access Highclere Castle via car or by joining a tour group.

Absolutely gorgeous castle, a must for Downtown Abbey fans. Stunning gardens, plenty to see with great tea rooms. Great value for money too. Perfect day out.

Frances C — Google review

I recently visited Highclere Castle and had a wonderful experience. The tour guide was excellent, providing a wealth of information about the history and architecture of the castle. The grounds were also beautiful, and I enjoyed exploring them during the tour. To top off the visit, I had a lovely afternoon tea at the castle. The tea and sandwiches were delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect. Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Highclere Castle. The tour is informative and enjoyable, and the afternoon tea is a delicious treat

Duncan A — Google review

Beautiful gardens, especially the wild flower meadow. Very interesting house and Egyptian exhibition. House includes pictures of the filming of Downton Abbey in the actual positions in the rooms where they took place. Good catering facilities with lots of inside & outside seating areas. Well worth a visit.

Judy B — Google review

A very nice day out, a lot of the castle was open with beautiful landscaped gardens, the staff were extremely polite, and the prices on the food were so reasonable, also there is a bonus Egyptian Exhibition aswell which extremely interesting, the only reason I wouldn't rate 5 star is due to the fact that photography is not permitted in the house, however having said that it does make sense for insurance purposes. All in all, it was a fantastic day out, and I would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for a nice trip.

Lunch L — Google review

Really good experience. We had a guided tour which was very informative. Loads of on site parking. Easy enough to find. The lunch provided was more than expected which we all really enjoyed.

Rich D — Google review

Wonderful trip to Highclere Castle. Enjoyed looking round the castle, although a long queue to go in the (about an hour wait) but of course August is peak holiday time so I would expect it to be busy. The Castle grounds are wonderful with views stretching way into the distance. Plenty of trees and seats in the shade to shelter from the sweltering hot day. Hot and cold drinks plus sandwiches and snacks available at several little cafes around the central area with more than enough seating and tables. Staff very polite and helpful. We will definitely make a return visit at some point.

Cathy H — Google review

As a big fan of Downton Abbey, I’ve wanted to visit Highclere Castle for years. The chance finally came when my wife and I were given tickets (including the afternoon tea box and Egyptian exhibition) as a wedding gift. We were not disappointed! A breathtaking view of the castle greeted us on arrival to the car park. From the moment we exited our car, we were treated kindly by all the friendly staff - including the car park attendants who enthusiastically welcomed us. Long story short, we were very impressed by not only the tidiness of every inch of this property - both inside and out - but by it’s beauty as well. Fans of the show who want to literally stand where their favourite characters have stood will have their wish fulfilled. Unfortunately, photography isn’t allowed inside the castle, but that’s actually a good thing as it keeps the flow moving and allows you to focus on the home instead of your camera or phone.Outside, the gardens and grounds are a must see, so wonderfully maintained. We were also pleasantly surprised by the quality and amount of food in our afternoon tea for two box. What a fantastic idea!We would definitely visit again and highly recommend it to anyone who’s interested.

Brad E — Google review

Huge Downton Abbey fan, this tour was 100% worth the time. We hired a car and driver for the day so we could also make stops on the way home. The food was fantastic really liked everything they gave as apart of the tour it was a really nice touch.

Mike L — Google review

A beautiful castle and HomeStunning grounds too. The guides were very interesting and informative and particularly helpful with disabled clients, I was unable to negotiate stairs and they gave me a chair and photo book of upstairs whilst I waited for my relatives. Also showed me an easier way to see the Egyptian exhibition.

Frances F — Google review

It was an absolutely wonderful experience. The castle is treasure to discover. The staff are knowledgeable, kind, and attentive. I told them that I am Canadian, and they took the time to explain the connection between Highclere and Canada. Then, we got to visit the staterooms, drawing rooms, libraries, dining room, and the great Egyptian exhibition. The grounds that are manicured to perfection with trees from all over the world and benches underneath so you can sit and just enjoy the moment. The beautiful gardens with all kinds of flowers and greenery look like something out of a book. The tea rooms that offer tantalizing goodies and, of course, nice souvenir shop with something to please everyone. I would go back any time. I recommend it to anyone to take the time to visit this place.

Doreen's D — Google review

As a big Downton fan this place is dreamlike! My husband doesn’t watch the show but he really loved it. It’s a wonderful castle as it’s furnished as the Earl & Duchess reside there. The guides are just so passionate and knowledgeable…we were lucky enough to spend time with Greg whose enthusiasm and real love for the castle is boundless. We found out so many details ..like the architect who designed West Minster also designed Highclere! We were not able to book timed tickets as they were sold out..but we went and lined up at 8:30am (ticket office opens @9am) on a Sunday morning (take a jacket) and we’re able to secure tickets. Make sure you buy the beautiful book at the entrance as you can’t take pics inside..all the gorgeous interiors are in the book. There are fantastic cafes on the grounds and don’t forget to visit the Secret Gardens. Amazing gift shop too. We were also lucky to see the Duchess with her beautiful Golden Labs on a walk..she is lovely. We didn’t want to leave.

Sheree S — Google review

Wow! What a beautiful elegant place, well maintained and staff were very knowledgeable and informative. Even though it rained for us so didn't get to enjoy the stunning grounds surrounding the estate, it was a beautiful place. As with most places the gift shop was a little expensive but the cafe was reasonably priced, we even enjoyed a warm wild boar sausage in a baguette for lunch! Overall would definitely recommend this place whether your a 'downtown abbey' fan or not!

Rachel A — Google review

So much rich history beyond the charm of Downton. It's so wonderful that the family has opened their home to visitors to see. We loved every minute!

Benjamin B — Google review

Lovely day out. Good parking and lovely outside views of castle. Inside are upstairs and downstairs room used in the filming of Downton Abbey. Plenty of helpful staff . Also the Egyptian exhibition is interesting. There is a tea room and tea marquee with plenty of outside tables. Also a cocktail bar and ice cream van. Don't forget the gardens which are down the hill to the left including a secret garden and wild flower meadow. Look out for the carving of a tree trunk on the way in. Don't be surprised to see that some visitors dress up for the occasion.

Gill G — Google review

What a location. So awesome, staff were really friendly and happy to help with some great facts. But were ok with you just walking though...The Egyptian experience was wonderful so many old stuff and great information too. The grounds are wonderfully kept with lawns mowed superbly not a blade out of place.It was also nice to see some wild flowers which added some unkept nature to the site.

Gareth L — Google review

The location and building is fabulous. If you enjoyed Downton Abbey, then you will love the tour of the building. Just be aware access is limited to specific days of the year.

Michael D — Google review

Highly recommend. Absolutely smashing, worth the bit extra for the Egyptian exhibition as it tells a lot of the history. The house and grounds are just absolutely gorgeous. Food is a little limited. Gift shop has smashing assortment of bits. So delighted to have visited.

Han W — Google review

A really lovely experience and a must-see for any Downton Abbey fans. The house itself is gorgeous and very well-kept with lots of information about the behind the scenes of Downton Abbey. You can see into the rooms where various scenes were filmed and the furniture is exactly the same so you really feel like you’re stepping in there! The gardens are wonderful and well worth the time to walk around and see everything. The only thing for us, the castle doesn’t allow picnics on the grounds at all. A little bit disappointing in my opinion as you can purchase food on-site and eat it there, even if they had a designated area for picnics, I think it would be better. Just something to keep in mind if you are planning on taking food with you.

Beth J — Google review

Wonderful visit, superb house which is still partlyLived in, with the added bonus of the Egyptology collection and display. No photos of either as photography is banned inside the house. ( ironic as a major film series has been filmed inside the house!) . The grounds are magnificent with extensive views, with the best wildflower meadow I have ever seen , contradicting the Dolly Parton hit ‘ wildflowers don’t care where they grow’ - theses ones do and they have chosen well. A lovely day out with the usual tea and coffee , very good, ( plus the obligatory gift shop ). Access and parking easy and a good idea to book ahead.

Brian C — Google review

First, let's get the question of money out of the way - this place is EXPENSIVE. I took my partner here for a big birthday treat as she is a massive Downton Abbey fan, and it cost far more than I've ever paid for a historic house of any kind.However the house is in a league of its own, and it really was a fantastic day out. Lunch/afternoon tea was included, and it was plentiful and delicious. My partner particularly enjoyed her hot chocolate!Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the house and had the answers to all our questions, and to some we hadn't even thought to ask.

Chris U — Google review

Visit a lot of historical buildings. Highclere castle is unique. Very well kept to a high standard. The staff are friendly and helpful. Be warned. They do not allow any photos or want mobile phones in your hand. We are planning to return after seeing the next Downton Abbey film which is being filmed there in the near future.

Paul D — Google review

I can never come out gift shop with empty hands. Lots of tea rooms and sandwiches are very fresh and tasty. Great place for a day out not only for the fans of Downton Abbey.

B U — Google review

A great home to explore - well maintained and a well managed one-way route through the ground and first floors.Detailed history on the building is lacking but they do provide information cards in some rooms. There are helpful and knowledgable staff throughout the castle so do ask them any questions you may have.Photos and signs also tie back the various rooms to their use in the filming of Downton Abbey.There are a couple of cafe and food vans scattered through the property - nothing amazing but the food is reasonably priced.If you are arriving at Newbury station it may be wise to pre book a taxi and also arrange your pickup. Do be prepared that the taxi journey is very steep - £50+, if others are around ask to share the taxi and split the fare.

NSLondon — Google review

Who hasn't seen Downton Abbey?! Highclere Castle is a grand and beautiful place. The visit was very interesting. It would have been nice to see more rooms, may be the servants quarter too. The Egyptian exhibition was fascinating and so well set-up. We had a walk in the garden too, so peaceful. It was such a lovely day. I only gave 4 stars as in both cafes, no vegan food was offered. We were surprised and disappointed as you can now find vegan anywhere.

Nathalie M — Google review

Beautiful place, well worth visiting and not overpriced. You can't take photos inside the castle. I fully understand this, it's a home, and there are private photos on show.The staff in the castle are so helpful and full of passion about the castle.The gardens were just as impressive.The refreshments are limited, we took lunch and ate it in the car. I do have food intolerance. Therefore, it's easier for me.The cakes looked delicious 😋.I would go again. Thank you to all at Highclere for a fabulous visit, Sandy Sims

Sandy S — Google review

As a Downtown Abbey fan this was great. The gardens are beautiful and you could spend hours walking around them. The house is very impressive but be prepared to lock the experience in your head because photography inside the house is not allowed unfortunately. But as the house is actually lived in and not a museum, this is understandable.

Greg C — Google review

We had a wonderful time in Highclere Castle recently. The whole building was magical. Lady Carnarvon welcomed us and did a very nice speech before we started our tour inside the castle. Unfortunately we weren't able to take any pictures inside. Our tour guide Greg, was very entertaining and informative. But all the other staff were very warm and friendly. The afternoon tea was very delicious and we were spoiled by the lovely waiters. The gift shop has plenty of choice and the free books were signed by Lady Carnarvon. The only one thing that was a bit disappointing, that is the ladies lavatory. They definitely need a little bit of improvement. Otherwise we did enjoy every minute of the tour and we will definitely come back. Highly recommended!

Charlotte K — Google review

Very pretty, a lovely day out!!🌸🌱🌷🏰🥀I’d recommend going on a sunny day, as the gardens were my favourite part of the castle and it’s nice to spend a large portion of your visit making your way around the huge green area!It is a shame that the two times I’ve visited Highclere Castle there was only one vegan option for food! The quinoa salad was tasty but some more variety would be nice! You wouldn’t be able to join in with the afternoon tea they serve, for example. There were more vegetarian options which is good though!

Ellie — Google review

Beautiful house and gardens. If the weather allows, you could spend hours enjoying a drink outside! Even in the wind and rain that we had, the gardens were spectacular.

Amie J — Google review

Awsome experience!The gardens are beautiful, a lovely walk around the grounds.The house is a work of art, if you love Downton Abbey, then this is a must for your Bucket List 😊You have to pre-book to enter the house.

Andrew P — Google review

My wife and I enjoyed the Downton Abbey series very much. As a Christmas gift I arranged a visit to Highclere Castle in January as a way to beat back those winter blues. A two hour guided tour was expensive but well worth it. A hardcover book and a nice tea (below stairs) were all part of the deal - very nice. There was also an excellent Tutankhamen exhibition. The Highclere website is quite formal but don't be put off by that, staff are friendly and many are great fun! We re- watched the series as a result and enjoyed it even more to know the 'we were there!' 🤭

Derek J — Google review

The Garden and House visit was very enjoyable. Well kept lawns with very mature trees and shrubs easily accessible by the able and less able. The house doesn't have a lift to access the upper floors and the beautiful stairs are long due to the high ceilings but very worth the effort to use them. Chairs are well located to help the less able to rest also.

Adrian W — Google review

Went for the afternoon tea with castle, garden and exhibition entry. We were really lucky with the weather! Tea was lovely, gardens beautiful and house and exhibition really interesting. Was very pleased with refreshment costs from the van too, really reasonable! Would wholeheartedly recommend.

Avril S — Google review

Such a beautiful place and great for fans of Downton Abbey. We were greeted by the Lady Carnarvon and had our photo taken in front of the grand Christmas tree. We were offered tea and coffee followed by a tour of the castle. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly had a good relationship with the family. We got to visit the Egyptian collection and lastly had afternoon tea, which Lady Carnarvon came to join us for. All in all, an absolutely fantastic experience that I can't wait to do again!No photos are allowed inside the castle.

Coralie P — Google review

I’ve been watching Downton Abbey basically on repeat for the last 7 years. I was ECSTATIC when our family found out we were getting stationed in England a few years ago and Highclere has been on my must-see list ever since. We finally got to visit over Easter weekend and it was a dream come true! Lady Carnarvon was directing pedestrians to the house from the car park which I thought was great, very down to Earth. I totally fangirled when we saw her. 😂 The house was a dream and I loved getting to see the rooms that I’ve become so familiar with these last several years via the show. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if we could take photos inside. I get that it’s their private home and they have family photos out, but no one is there to take photos of Carnarvon family photos. We’re there to see the most important character in a beloved show. We’ve visited a number of castles that are still family homes (Alnwick, Blenheim, Belvoir, etc.) and were permitted to take pictures inside. To each their own.We ordered a picnic tea box when purchasing our tickets and thoroughly enjoyed everything inside it. The sandwiches, scones and sweet treats were all fantastic. It was £75 for a box for 2 people. A little more than we would normally pay for something like that, but it also came with two free hot drinks and a small bottle of champagne.The grounds are also beautiful and there is a lot to explore beyond the house. Overall, highly recommend visiting if you’re a Downton Abbey fan.

Mariana M — Google review

A little overrated but the beautiful grounds make up for the lack of engagement in the castle. Felt 'rushed ' going through the castle which is a shame. As photos are NOT allowed, you feel obliged to buy a guidebook.

Zoé W — Google review

My birthday dream come true. My daughter surprised me with this day out. Omydays it was above and beyond what I expected. The history of this home, is brilliant, also watching (Downton Abbey) as it was filmed here. It was mind blowing. Afternoon tea was exceptional which she booked for us. Go!! you'll live in the past of our great history. Awesome!!

Jennifer J — Google review

Slightly disappointing - house was much smaller than expected, grounds were very well kept, however, poorly signposted. Information map very basic. Food and drink were excellent, Seating is great for nice weather, minimal of not.Staff were wonderful, helpful and informative.If you're a Downton Abbey fan then it probably holds a greater attraction.Glad we went, but just the once.

Mark T — Google review

Went for their Egyptian exhibition event to celebrate 100 years since the family discovered Tutankhamen's tomb.The house is stunning and if you're a Downton abbey fan there is a lot to look at (no photos allowed in the house due to insurance).The grounds and gardens are stunning and vast. Lots to walk around in a nice day. They offer a events during the year which are incredible and good fun to dress up.There is a lot of history and interesting things to observe. Would definitely return and watch the show now

Izzy C — Google review

A must if you are a Downton Abbey fan. I really felt like a Lady walking down the gardens.Also, the cafè is amazing: I've never eaten such a wonderful meat pie!Be sure to buy tickets in advance, since it's a private home, so the tours are scheduled

Cristina P — Google review

Enchanting! We visited Highclere Castle as a private tour. I was fascinated by the history of the castle and its original owner, and it was really exciting to walk through the rooms that the Downton Abbey cast occupied while filming. Highly recommend visiting this special location.

ELLEN D — Google review

Great castle, very big place. We only saw a part of the castle. You get to see plenty. I enjoyed seeing the rooms where Downton Abbey was filmed. I like the fact they had pictures of a scene which was filmed in that room. The bedrooms are very nice and big. We had some food and drink in the tea rooms. Very good price. The grounds are big too, you can enjoy the area. The gift shop was a bit small and if people were queuing, you couldn't really look around and found it small. The Egyptian exhibition was absolutely amazing. I loved every second, the artifacts are amazing! My favourite but was looking through the letterboxes to see the artifacts. I learned some things along the way too. A must if you can visit

Clare C — Google review

I received a voucher for Christmas 2023 from my husband, for a visit to the castle, gardens, Egyptian exhibition, and a champagne picnic. We had a fabulous day (apart from the weather). It's such a beautiful place, and we both enjoyed it very much, especially being big Downton Abbey fans. We'll definitely be back.

Yvonne M — Google review

4.6

(5355)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (121)

4.5

(2769)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (122)

Highclere Park, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN, United Kingdom

+44 1635 253210

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40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (123)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (124)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (125)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (126)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (127)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (128)

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21

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (130)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (131)

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National museum

Nature & Parks

The National Motor Museum is an attraction in the New Forest that houses the UKs most exciting collection of automobiles. The formal gardens of Beaulieu Palace and the village of Beaulieu are also lovely.

Wasn't sure what to expect when coming here. We arrived mid Feb whilst on holiday and the weather wasn't great so thought it would be a day out undercover. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The site is pretty big, we started with the top gear area which was really good, it was great to get up close to some of the wacky creations that have been made over the years. We stopped to have a bite to eat before it got busy and the prices were not to bad, probably on the slightly higher side but the cakes were very good. We moved on to the main museum and was shocked to see how many cars and bikes they have fitted into the size building. Everywhere you turn is another vehicle immaculately clean and lots of info about it. The range of vehicles is huge from the 1st cars right up to modern ones. We especially loved the 007 exhibit where you could get up close to the cars from the most recent film, it was nice to be able to get so close without them being on plinths meters away. There is a vintage bus ride and a monorail that will take you around the site which was nice to do. We took a look around the Abbey and house (included in the price of ticket) and had a stroll along the river. If you Gift aid you get to come back within the year but what wasn't made clear at the time was when you come back you only get entry to the motor museum and no other attraction or house which was a little disappointing. The only thing that really let it down for us despite being a fairly quiet day trying to get lunch between 12 and 2 results in a long wait and queue. There are plenty of picnic spots so on a sunny day I think this would be a great place to go but equally on a wet day it's a good day out if you don't mind getting a little wet as you walk between the exhibits / house and gardens.

Jay P — Google review

Loved it here. We been here before we had kids, but it has improved since then and my two kids loved it. They loved the outdoor playground, which was very difficult to get them out of. Mona rail was great too.

Tinali G — Google review

Amazing place, the gardens and house were beautiful, we were 3hrs into our visit and hadn't even been near the motor museum. We did go in eventually and it was worth it. We had a FULL day there and could have quite happily carried on.

Mark S — Google review

Had a great experience here at the Motor museum today. It’s so full of history and interesting, even if you do not have an interest in cars.There are so many cars and motorbikes to look at and you can easily spend hours there. There are many cars in movies and it’s all fascinating.You can also visit the abbey or other attractions in the surrounding area after as it is also included in your ticket.I would also recommend going on the monorail as it gives you a great view of the grounds and the motor museum from the top as well.There is also a great play area for children under 14It’s great for its value and I would recommend coming!

Evan — Google review

Definitely worth getting there as it opens!! My goodness, there is SO MUCH to look at and do, we couldn't fit it all in during a single day and we got there for 10. The food in the cafe was so good, we went in twice. The whole place is so looked after and clean. Staff members are kind and knowledgeable of their work. Happy to have paid gift aid so we get the annual tickets - Definitely coming back!!

Amy J — Google review

We had a great time here, the atmosphere is very relaxed. Good to see the Top Gear vehicles. The monorail was a great trip. Food and refreshments were plentiful and not too expensive. The only down side and it was probably out of their hands was we hired an electric car for the weekend and the chargers were out of order. For us it wasn't a problem as we weren't desperate for juice. Well worth a visit. We will be back.

Duncan H — Google review

A fantastic, expansive museum covering many highlights of British motoring and motorbiking development. Vehicles and are in fantastic condition and vary widely by age and origin.Collection of land speed record cars is a must to see!Good accessible location with on-site parking and single ticket entry to both the motor museum and other attractions in Beaulieu.Recommended!

Edward P — Google review

Great day out. Wear your best walking shoes as you'll need them. Mostly accessible. Restaurant not too expensive. Toilets clean. Need around 6 hours to get everything. Pay in advance (with gift aid) and you get a free annual pass to return. Great vegan ice cream options.

Helen H — Google review

Beaulieu is still a great place to visit.Especially if it's your first time.The cars are fun to see and some of the history as you follow the exhibits is really special.Some downsides are that I feel many areas are due a refresh. Parts of the museum look a little tired. Much of it hasn't changed in decades. In some ways it's nice for personal nostalgia but on the whole, updating is needed.The canteen in my view also needs improving. I felt the food was expensive for what you get, and we were kept waiting a long time.Perhaps a system to separate coffee and hot food, from cold drinks and snacks would help.Also dining area seating was lacking if wet outside.Anyhow, overall, still a very enjoyable place to visit! The grounds are fantastic too as are the staff. Many thanks.

Andy F — Google review

Top gear show somewhat disappointing.Main car experience is far smaller than I’d hoped for. Gardens not at their best (seasonal), house impressive if that’s your thing. For me, the best part of my day was the pond walk. I loved the tree carving and the walk itself was beautiful. I’m sure the children will enjoy the monorail.

Jeff S — Google review

A fun packed day out for the family. Main exhibition building charts the history of the motor car right up to the modern day including world landspeed record cars. Outside there is a monorail which goes around the gardens and through the roof of the exhibition centre. Other exhibitions include Top Gear featuring many cars from the series. There's also a show of cars from famous movies including James Bond. There's a cafeteria and tea shop on site. Toilets clean and functional. Well stocked gift shop. Kids play area in the gardens. Bus tours. Family house. Free parking. Not sure how busy it gets in the summer as this was February. Check prices as its not cheap.

Chris R — Google review

Absolutely brilliant day out. The facilities were all very well maintained and clean, the staff were all welcoming and helpful.There was obviously a beautiful collection of cars, but we also really enjoyed exploring he rest of the site too (don't miss the falconry display!). I'd really recommend Beaulieu for a day out for all ages.

Dave H — Google review

Amazing day out, and we didn't get around all of it! Lots of parking with good access for visitors with disabilities. The staff were friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived, with helpful guidance on getting the most out of the day. The motor museum itself was our main aim, and there is plenty to keep everyone interested. The exhibits are all in very good condition, and really provide a "time warp" perspective. Well worth a visit any time of year.

Chris W — Google review

There a lot of things to do here. The main attraction is the motor museum, very nicely laid out, with a lot of vintage, modern and some unusual cars. Without a doubt one of the best motor museum. I’m less interested about it, but they also have motorbikes and race cars.About the other attractions, you have an exhibition about Top Gear, cars used in movies, a monorail, a vintage bus, an abbey, a house, gardens and a museum about war.It’s really nice to spend a summer day with a picnic. It took us almost 6 hours to do everything at a quiet pace. We then went to Beaulieu village, which is beautiful.

Damien V — Google review

Returned for a visit for the first time in 28 years when I visited as a child. Unfortunately I found it quite disappointing. Feels very dated and the museum is smaller than I remember. Could do with with some new investment - in particular more interactive features would be good for children. In addition, it’s not particularly pushchair/wheelchair friendly in all areas which was surprising.

Peter H — Google review

Such a full day, we stayed way longer than we expected as there're so many things to see. Personal highlight was the falconry training session, absolutely fascinating and unique.The Museum is vast but very well curated with everything looking beautiful and no busyness.There were a few cars I would have liked some more specific information about, such as their life before the museum, because i like a few memorable stories.Loved the land speed section.The grounds were a little busy and hectic with sculptures when we visited, but we could still find calm looking over the water near the palace.

Jenny W — Google review

Supercar weekend was brilliant despite the rain. We saw all of our favorite cars and also went around the palace house, which is included with your entry tickets and really nice.Pay in advance for the cheaper option tickets. There is so much to see and do there if your car lover then definitely go! Food stalls on the special weekends are on the expensive side, the restaurant was really busy, picnic are great when it's not raining. Great for kids and families, it's our second visit, and we we're not disappointed at all.

Sarah M — Google review

This is a fantastic place to go for a day out, whether you're a couple or have kids there is so much to do and see. We spent about 3.5 hours here. It's expensive but you definitely get more than you pay for and the food is reasonable. Do get the ice cream it's fantastic.The main attraction is the motor museum, despite not being into cars, it was an amazing collection, fascinating history and the staff are brilliant at explaining facts about the cars. It's got a little bit devoted to top gear which was cute and entertaining.If you're not a car enthusiasts there is a fun monorail, a little bus to drive you about. A beautiful Abbey that is well maintained and the ground have gorgeous art and wild birds like pheasants running around. The kitchen garden are delightful and they even have a bird if prey display. Should that not be enough the view back into the village over the lake is idyllic. The manor house is pretty too. Wear trainers!

Rx F — Google review

I loved this museum! Such a beautiful piece of history. There are a lot of things to do and their shop have some good organic stuff like apple juice. 🩷

Andreea R — Google review

Visited for the first time in over 10 years and greatly enjoyed! Got discounted entry as had a blue light card and were impressed with the ticket becoming an annual ticket (for museum) as we added gift aid. Museum had so many different vehicles in, we easily spent close to 2 hours walking round. Other exhibitions were good too, particularly enjoyed the Cars on Screen one. Everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful. Looking forward to returning again and soon!

Hayley B — Google review

Beaulieu Motor Museum is a fantastic destination for a weekend getaway! Nestled in the scenic grounds near Southampton, this museum offers a wonderful blend of classic car collections and rich historical insights about its establishment. It's not only a paradise for car enthusiasts but also a beautiful spot for a family day out. Walking through the exhibits, you get to admire meticulously maintained classic cars and learn about the evolution of automotive design. The museum staff are friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience with fascinating stories and facts. Whether you're a motorhead or just looking for a unique place to explore, Beaulieu Motor Museum should definitely be on your list!

Łukasz H — Google review

I loved every minute of it. The palace at Beaulieu was lovely. Seeing the vintage and different cars of the ages was awesome. We had a tour ride om the monorail, and walked through the fairy woods. There's a lot more.There is also a nice cafe with delicious cakes andcsevwral food stands. It's a visit that offers so much. I really enjoyed it.

Lamoore — Google review

Visited with my grandson which was great to share after having visited 20 years ago with my children. It was actually better than I remembered. We walked around both the Abbey and house as well. All in all a lovely experience; although quite pricey. However, I guess is justified as I am sure it costs a lot to maintain with wages for staff and upkeep.

Lesley H — Google review

I loved the experience in this place! My little one enjoyed the train and the playground which is amazing. A few activities to do, coffee was good as well. With the price i didn't expect to need coins inside to play with the screen cars or the cars with remote, it should include a bit of that. But the rest was really really good! Worth the visit!

Marcela S — Google review

Great experience a must for car nuts.Beautifully laid out motor museum but please get a Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 🙏 .....Monorail 🚝 was a joy and the gardens are amazing. We especially loved the padlock tree in the garden 😍 it made our Herts melt.Top gear attraction needs to be bigger, but it was great, and the Eddie kid tribute was very emotional as I met him recently 😢 💙

Martin H — Google review

£28 for an adult ticket was well worth it. You can easily spend all day in the museum and all the surrounding gardens and exhibits. We only read a small amount of what was available and found it so interesting. The world war secret training and the house in particular were worth the visit. Grounds are beautiful. The staff were very nice and helpful especially when the wife lost her phone. Will definitely visit again.

Darren S — Google review

Spent a lovely day here with my wife, so glad we came and so much to see and do. The grounds are immaculate and so well maintained. All of the staff are so helpful and friendly, who work very hard no doubt. Excellent day and excellent facilities.

Michael J — Google review

We really enjoyed visiting this Centre. It’s full of great history. The vehicles on show are so beautiful with so much character. Plenary of time to walk round. There is a garden and little monorail too 😁😁

Thao L — Google review

First visit in 30 years and it didn't disappoint! The motor museum is exactly what you want. Full or rich history, information signboards, audio information and cars! Lots and lots of cars, motorbikes, vans etc. A car lovers wet dream!Take a trip on the monorail to see the whole place from high up. Walk around the gardens and off to see the palace. Visit the secret WW2 exhibition. And in-between all of that, visit one of the cafés or restaurants dotted around.There is plenty of seating inside and out. The toilets are a tight squeeze, but no shortage of them.All in all I'd say it's a great day out and caters for every member of the family.Don't expect top quality food! But it's definitely not the worst. The workforce are a young bunch and need a bit of direction. But are friendly and helpful.I would definitely recommend for a fun day out.

The H — Google review

Beaulieu is a very educational & interesting place to visit. Loads of old cars, classic cars, fast cars & famous cars!! We enjoyed the free monorail ride around the grounds, which inspired us to go & explore the beautiful lake, gardens & house on foot. We had lunch in the café/ restaurant & were surprised that it wasn't completely overpriced. The gift shop is pretty good. Not cheap to get into the museum but worth it!! Definitely recommend.

Sara — Google review

Great day out with loads to see. The museum is fascinating. The top gear exhibition is great for fans of the show. The location, including house and grounds are lovely to explore. Excellent value as the pass gains entrance for a year. Try to visit during one of the numerous special events that take place throughout the year.

Daniel N — Google review

We went here for the supercar event.It was a pretty good day but I think if it wasn’t for the supercar day we would have not lasted a whole day.The museum and the top gear exhibits were quite good, some interesting things to look at. The house was house was also interesting although I feel it could have been better, the did have some old hats and games that the kids could play with.I think the prices are quite expensive given what’s actually here when there is not event on, it’s not a place I’d be rushing back to.

Greg S — Google review

A grand day out - if you gift aid your entry then the ticket becomes an annual pass ( some T and Cs) - interesting museum - though it would for me have added to the interest if vehicle descriptions told a bit of the history of the actual car on display - that would have made the experience more personal. That aside well presented exhibits - but no touching. Palace house looking good and with new carpets !All in all a good day out.

Roland S — Google review

Lots of childhood memories coming here, not ruined by returning as an adult. It just gets better.Fun for all the family, you don't have to be into cars to enjoy a day out at Beaulieu, but it really helps and you will get a lot more out of the day.The outdoor play park and monorail are excellent. The children really enjoyed it.

Gareth C — Google review

Absolutely brilliant museum in a fantastic setting. It has many old cars and motorbikes with some newer classics mixed in. It also has some TV and movie cars as well! I found them all fascinating!Land speed record cars and historic garage settings. There's too much to mention. It's well worth a visit. I'm sure I'll go back.

Jason — Google review

Spent the whole day here, looking at old cars and bicycles, riding on the open top bus and monorail, walking along paths of wild spring flowers to the gallery housing Russian paintings, the monastery and last but nor least the fabulous house. A great day out.

Barbara W — Google review

Worth the price for a visit. You don't just get the motor museum but also the Palace, the gardens and the Abbey. Plenty to see. The car museum is amazing and a must for motoring enthusiasts. A great day out. You could easily spend a whole afternoon there.

Andy W — Google review

Never been before, but always wanted to visit.Lots to see, really interesting and enjoyable.A really neat, clean, and well played out site.Lots of friendly, polite, and welcoming staff.Cafe is good too, and in addition to the motoring museum, there is a Top Gear display, and the house is open to the public.Monorail ride, vintage bus ride, and a display for the SOE.It's a great day out.

Stuart F — Google review

Beautiful place, very well organized. Lots to do for kids and parents. A bit pricey, the combo ticket is £28/£29 per adult but includes parking, The National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Palace House & Gardens, Little Beaulieu, Beaulieu Abbey, The Secret Army Exhibition and unlimited rides on the monorail. Is it possible to skip the Motor Museum and the price drops sensibly. I would suggest going on a sunny day, and bring your own food as there are lots of places where to sit and have a picnic.

Giuseppe G — Google review

We had a really fantastic time at Beaulieu! Lots to do and lots of variety. Not just cars. Great day out!The collectible character and car cards are a brilliant idea!

Jay G — Google review

4.7

(10998)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (136)

4.5

(7628)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (137)

John Montagu Building, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7ZN, United Kingdom

+44 1590 612345

22

Bombay Sapphire Distillery

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Distillery

Food & Drink

Visitor center

Located in the historic Laverstoke Mill, Bombay Sapphire Distillery is a must-visit for gin enthusiasts. The 300-year-old mill, once a producer of banknote paper, has been reimagined by designer Thomas Heatherwick with stunning glasshouses. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, tastings, and even cocktail-making master classes. The distillery offers a unique experience in a picturesque and historically rich setting, making it an ideal destination for both gin aficionados and history buffs alike.

A lovely guided tour of the distillery. A very informative guide and the tour took in all the parts. Was family owned but now owned by Diego however they have kept the small nature despite all Bombay Sapphire being made here. The creative green house has examples of the plants used in the gin. The gin was very nice and the film about the distillery was good and had a choice of three gins to choose from. Would recommend a tour. The cafe was a nice surprise as the platter we had was so great value.

Angela W — Google review

Well what a amazing place and great history the buildings have. A must visit for any Bombay sapphire drinker! A great experience. The staff we’re help and informative. Our guild was very knowledgeable and gave an almost theatrical tour of the factory/site.We traveled from South Yorkshire, but was well worth the travel.

Matthew T — Google review

Great if you're over 18. However despite that, those under 18 were still able to enjoy the tour and were given a mocktail to enjoy in the cinema. Awesome 'create your own' G+T at the start of the tour.

Boyd P — Google review

Great experience, lovely atmosphere, wonderful kind, generous Interesting people who work there who made us feel very welcomed. The master cocktail making class was so worth it. The buildings themselves were beautiful!

Lori-Ann C — Google review

What a cool experience! Every detail is accounted for here. The place is tip top clean. History is preserved. The entire tour changed my whole perspective on Bombay. 10/10! AMAZING!Also had a few recommendations at their bar, highly recommend! All staff were wonderful. Got some food as well, all delicious and locally sourced. And of course, visited their store and took home great souvenirs.

Karen R — Google review

Can't recommend this place enough. We did a tour of the distillery which was brilliant. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and kept us interested for the whole tour. The tour starts off the best way possible with a Gin and tonic. The tour lasts for 90 minutes and went by in the flash of a hat. Plenty of history to the site. Along with the tour there is also a bar, shop and cafe. Will be back again.

Chris W — Google review

A wonderful experience in an idealic and historically fascinating setting. Booking online was extremely easy. We arrived an hour early so had a very decent cup of coffee in the cafe and resisted the temptation to add a large slice of #vegan chocolate cake. Then a relaxing professionally mixed G&T in the bar. THEN the tour which started with ANOTHER G&T in a Bombay Sapphire Glass with plenty of ice and Fever Tree tonic. THEN a short film in a comfortable setting with a nice little table to put your Drink on. THEN a tour and explanation of the distilling process and the history of the building. THEN a stop in the gift shop to overspend before driving home thoroughly satisfied.

Sean D — Google review

The cocktail making session was great fun whilst also showing how to make 3 very different cocktails. The guide taking us through making the cocktails, really made sure that everyone had a great tour. The distillery tour was really good - particularly liked the glasshouses with the plants of the botanicals. Interesting history behind the buildings even if the history is not as a distillery. Great afternoon out - but make sure you are not driving after the cocktail master class!

Alistaire K — Google review

Excellent tour by one of Bombay Sapphire's staff, really informative and the site has a vast amount of history which is amazing to hear about.Lasts about 2 hours including complimentary cocktail.The bar is situated over two floors whereby you can drink your cocktail and enjoy watching the cocktail makers in action.Recommended.

Stuart L — Google review

Really interesting place to visit. Loads of history and the guide was very knowledgeable. All the staff were really delightful, welcoming and great to chat to.We went for the Discovery Visit, but I definitely want to go back for a cocktail master class. You can visit the cafe and shop anytime. It doesn't have to be part of a tour. Nice shop with good offers, despite what I've read from other reviews.

Natalie E — Google review

Went on a tour which offered a complimentary drink. The cinema screen at the beginning had a nice surprise at the end. The grounds are lovely and can go for a drink there without purchasing a tour. The l shop was reasonably priced and had good gifts for birthdays etc

Oli — Google review

The Tour (Luke) and Cocktail making experience (Marcus) were excellent. Both knowledgeable and entertaining and not to be missed. We ended up having about 10 shots in under 3hrs (could have had less or done mocktails I guess 🤔) and walked back to the White Hart (very nice too) in Overton, so glad we didn't take the car in the end. You can grab a bite and drink beforehand as well as after so plan ahead.

Peter A — Google review

From my recent last week visit.Super to understand history, specially for Indian to know why it’s Bombay sapphire and not London Sapphire.The great Thomas and Marry invention is interesting.Ambience is really fascinating 👍. It’s worth to spend and understand within 2 Hrs from tour round.Online booking is necessary before visit to book your slot.Staff is knowledgeable

Karan K — Google review

Had a fantastic time doing the tour and cocktail masterclass. Went with my wife on a beautifully sunny day. Everyone there was amazing and knowledgeable, with a special shout out to Chloe who did the masterclass. Her warmth and charm shone through and made the experience unforgettable. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and interesting activity to do with a partner or group.

Alex B — Google review

This is our second time here. The first time, we just did the tour. This time, however, we did the cocktail making master class. This was a really fun experience, and very boozy, you make three cocktails each, and they are strong! but oh, so good.They young girl doing the class was great, informative, and happy.All the staff we spoke to were happy and helpful and always with a smile on their faces. Especially all the young ones who I'm sure would much rather be drinking with friends the watch us getting drunk and talking rubbish, lol.All in all, a great day out and highly recommend.

Sally M — Google review

A must-do if you are a gin lover. A cheeky sample of the Sunset and Lemon Presse to begin before an excellent tour of the grounds provided lots of insight into the production - great historical background to the site and a look at the spectacular glasshouses. We then moved onto the gin masterclass; special shout-out to Marcus whose knowledge of all things gin was first rate. Each of the three cocktails you create were delicious, we will definitely be testing them out at home!

Jill A — Google review

Great gin experience! The site is massively impressive and really well run. We booked the fancy Sunset cocktail making and tour experience. It's not cheap but you get to make 3 cocktails, have lunch, tour the site in a smaller group and enjoy a few extra cocktails on top. Plus you walk away with a bottle of the sunset gin. Everyone was very friendly, the food and drink are great. The bar and cafe are also worth a visit as is the shop. The only thing I would suggest is adding a bit of music in the cocktail making room, there's only ever going to be 10 people there and it would add to the ambience.Well worth visiting and taking in a tour

Gareth R — Google review

I would say this tour was OK.. would have been nice to maybe make some gin etc, rather than just walking around and listening to people talking.Very pretty though but not sure it was worth the tour.

Lucy W — Google review

If you're in the area or making a special 'pilgrimage', then booking a tour of The Bombay Sapphire Distillery will not disappoint!The historical buildings, the glass fountain, and the River Test running through add a lovely atmosphere.Bombay Saphire has been my favourite gin for many a year, so it was such a treat to learn all about it.Definitely adds a whole new dimension to the drinking experience.Obviously, I left with some treasures from their shop after the tour.

Dawn W — Google review

We had a great tour here. The team were very accommodating when we had a delay due to the local bus being very late. Our tour guide was brilliant 👏

Chris S — Google review

We had a gift of a tour and a cocktail making masterclass last Xmas, and we just got around to booking and visiting.The tour was pretty much what you would expect if you have ever visited a distillery or brewery before, but with the addition of the quite long history of the site (from before Doomsday) and also the beautiful greenhouses and plants).The masterclass is fun, and you end up with 3 fantastic cocktails to enjoy; or at least what's left of them! Time really flies by.One word of caution, don't plan on driving yourself afterwards.

Peter G — Google review

Fantastic tour, history and science all mixed into one! Glass of gin and tonic to start, loved the cinema experience

Simon V — Google review

A wonderful experience and a must for any gin lover. At first we had a very informative tour about the history of the gin and the site itself. After learning about the process and the ingredients, we had a go at making some cocktails ourselves. As the designated driver I only had a few sips of my drinks, which were wonderful. Even though the weather wasn't that great the staff made it such a delightful time. Highly recommend and will be coming back again in the future 🍸🍹

Jordan H — Google review

The Laverstoke Mill Gin Distillery is a fantastic destination to enjoy a gin... and to learn how one of the world's popular brands is made (the entire world's supply of Bombay Sapphire is produced here).The distillery is near our place in Whitchurch, which makes it an ideal destination for a countryside ramble (ramble being the key word, especially on the return if you get my drift).There is a great selection of cocktails on offer at their amazing bar - be sure to check out the view down on the bar from the balcony seating. If the weather's good, then the outside patio by the river Test is excellent, and you may see a swan or two!Some light food is on offer. We had the grazing bowl, which had 3 different bowls: olives, vegetable crisps, and stuffed peppers. At £4.50 it was a great compliment to our Laverstoke cocktails, which were £10 each. A bit more if you ask for doubles. Why wouldn't you? Especially if you like us are walking home.Regarding transport, there is a bus stop right at the distillery for the 76 bus that gets you back to Andover or Basingstoke. If you change in Whitchurch, then you can get the 86 down to Winchester. A taxi will get you up to the nearby stations at Overton or Whitchurch.There is a wonderful gift shop for all your bartenders' needs. There is also a good gift package selection.Our son and his girlfriend went on the tour (wife and I couldn't extract ourselves from the bar...). They said they really enjoyed the 90min tour which included a drink at the start, a short history film, the botanics greenhouse, a guided tour and watching the production of gin in the fermenting room, amongst other activities.If you do wander back to Whitchurch through the countryside footpath, then that will bring you out at Bere Mill, which often has its garden open for visitors on bank holidays. The Bere Mill was once linked to Laverstoke Mill, generating electricity. If Mills are your thing, then there's 3 more in Whitchurch: Town Mill, Fulling Mill, and the Whitchurch Silk Mill (only the latter is open to the public).Recommended.

Andrew R — Google review

On our hike we stopped here for a quick drink. The staff explained us very patiently about the different gins and let us try before deciding which long drink we order. The whole location is a mix of modern and heritage, and has character. We enjoyed our little stop.

Isa J — Google review

4.7

(2910)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (143)

4.5

(3905)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (144)

Laverstoke Mill, London Rd, Whitchurch RG28 7NR, United Kingdom

+44 1256 890090

23

Winchester Cathedral

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Cathedral

Sights & Landmarks

Beautiful cathedral with a long medieval nave and a fascinating array of features from all eras. Highlights include the intricately carved choir stalls, Jane Austen's grave, and one of the UK's finest illuminated manuscripts. The excellent Tower and Roof Tours get busy, so book well in advance.

An amazing experience and an absolute pleasure to be able to see such a vast history.You really have to interact with this cathedral you can look at it from a great distance but until you have walked the long hallways and exhibition you have not experienced much. the staff were very friendly and I thoroughly felt welcome.I have included some Aerial photography that I took on this day. really gives you a whole new experience!

Daniel — Google review

Lovely grounds and a huge cathedral. It's a £10 to enter to ensure maintenance is kept up Nice to see an early bible on display and it's well protected and showcased. Jane Austin tomb inside just after the entry on the left. Amazing how massive the cathedral is and how intricate the detailing is. Lots of tour guides on hand to answer any questions - They were super nice. If in Winchester suggest you visit.

Huge R — Google review

Went last minute and arrived around 4.30pm. Closed 6pm in the week. Used local car park, inexpensive only had to pay to 6pm. Circa 40 to 50 stalls I'd guess, friendly lovely atmosphere. Plenty of food and drink options in the centre and lots of toilet options. Lovely pre Christmas experience. Thoroughly enjoyed, even non shopper me 🤣

Paul G — Google review

Oh my goodness! Do yourself a favor and visit the Winchester cathedral! It cost £12.50 to visit but was so worth it! We had a wonderful tour guide (which is included in the cost of admission) and I highly recommend the tours! So informative and they can only scratch on the history of the cathedral. Very cool to see Jane Austen’s burial site. Definitely check out the crypt if it isn’t flooded (which it may be seasonally but we lucked out in January). Also worth visiting the complimentary Exhibit which houses the Winchester Bible and Bishop’s library. Very wonderful experience.

Jaime K — Google review

Simply one of the most stunning cathedrals in the world. The tower tour is fantastic and the views up top are incredible. Our guides were so knowledgeable and answered all our questions. If you can handle narrow stairs and heights book the tower tour!

Jackson S — Google review

Winchester Cathedral at the heart of Winchester City is a historical but also a very stunning building impossingly stunning the city visitors. The staffs and really amazing in here. They're very welcoming and there are plenty of very lovely volunteers providing guided tours. They also provide activities leaflets for children and their ticket last a whole year so you can go back there on the same ticket all year round. Cannot recommend it enough

Bimeny P — Google review

My first impressions of Winchester cathedral are just how impressive and absolutely stunning it is. You don't need to know the history of the cathedral to appreciate the design and architecture of this cathedral.I went there 3 days in a row and every day I noticed different parts that I had previously missed. The entrance fee of £10 also acts as a 12 month pass to visit as many times as you like, outstanding value for money.There are also free tours of the cathedral at various times which is very informative. I will definitely be going back several more times over the next 12 months.

Eddie R — Google review

We did the guided tower tour at an extra GBP3 and it was well worth it. So much information, a great view from the top and the chance to see behind the scenes. Lots of very narrow stairs though so not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. And take a small bag if at all.

Melanie — Google review

Wonderful, impressive cathedral! We wanted to have just a short glimps and finally stayed over 2 hours! The £ 12.50 entry fee where well worth it!

Roland Z — Google review

It's a great place to explore the great history of Winchester. It's really a big church with beautiful art and historic monuments. There is a small garden in front of it and you can spend quality time with your family and friends.

Ajay B — Google review

Didn't pay for entryWe felt £12.50 was quite a lot for entry and decided not to pay, but we did soon realise how big it was and could see potential justification for why entry was expensive. You can explore a garden and see lots of the architecture without going in. The gift shop is expensive and mostly about the area not just the Cathedral.

Lucy_ M — Google review

What a gorgeous historical place to have a graduation.So we'll organised in a wonderful venue & City.Lovely and Warm we were nice and comfortable during the 90 minutes ceremony.Perfect memories made today in a gorgeous historic building.

Jon # — Google review

Thoroughly enjoyable experience today. Entry fee is good value for money, you can get guided tours too included. Amazing, huge building with lots of history. Friendly staff and guides. Thanks for a lovely visit. Your ticket is also valid for a year but I still thought it was great value for one visit!

Kerry E — Google review

Superb tour of an interesting site.Our tour guide was knowledgeable and welcoming, which made it a joy.We had lunch within the cafe and the chicken salad was very good. Fresh, quality ingredients at a fair price, in a lovely setting.I recommend a visit!

Helen L — Google review

Fascinating history and stories around the building. Would thoroughly recommend the guided tour. We also enjoyed the Tower tour, but not for the faint hearted, have a heart or lung problem or you don't like narrow steps or heights. You need at least three full days to get the most out of a visit here. One ticket lasts a full year so your return is feasible. Another exhibit we enjoyed was The Kings and Scribes. Extremely interesting history.

Mary R — Google review

I was incredibly impressed by Winchester cathedral and it is 100% worth the £10 entry.Upon entry we were told a free guided tour would start soon - you should definitely partake in this. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and witty. He took us around the whole cathedral and told us stories and facts about the cathedral, its history, the royals and of Winchester itself. Thank you for having these tours as it really sets the visit apart.The cathedral is stunning architecturally and you can see the different styles as you move throughout the cathedral.There was also an exhibit on which added even more value to the ticket. I would certainly visit again even though it's a 2 hour drive. This is by far the best thing to do in Winchester.The only reason it got 4 stars is because of the toilets - water and mud all over the floor and it smelt like the sanitary bins needed changing.

Vicci S — Google review

Wow, what a cathedral. Anyone who is in the vicinity must see it. We were also lucky enough to see the choir rehearsing and we were accompanied by church songs through the huge building. If you are interested in history, you should bring time, as there is a lot to read and learn.

Marcus S — Google review

Magnificent bit of architecture, a wonderful cathedral set in the historical town of Winchester. £12.50 for an adult, kids are free. A bit of a museum, art gallery, and tower tours. Gift shop and cafe are in a separate building across the courtyard.

Steven M — Google review

Remarkable building, with fantastic exhibitions and guides, well worth the price of entry and definitely worth checking out.The building remains a functioning church, but in addition it acts as a museum and art gallery. Definitely worth getting the guided tour, and make sure you check out the actual museum section (off to the right hand side towards the back of the church).

Simon H — Google review

The cathedral has been on my bucket list for years. It was great. I did the tour, which made it so much more interesting. It's definitely a must.

Caryn A — Google review

Subject: A Tranquil Journey Through Time at Winchester CathedralI had the pleasure of visiting Winchester Cathedral in August, and the experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The cathedral, nestled in the heart of Winchester, captivates both history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.Upon entering, the sheer grandeur of the cathedral is immediately apparent. The magnificent architecture, with its towering spires and intricate details, transports you to a bygone era. The breathtaking interior is a testament to centuries of craftsmanship and devotion.One of the highlights of my visit was exploring the beautiful chapels within the cathedral. Each one tells a unique story, adorned with stunning stained glass windows and ornate tombs that carry the weight of history. The tranquil ambiance inside creates a sense of reverence, inviting visitors to reflect and appreciate the cultural and religious significance of the site.Winchester Cathedral's famous nave is a marvel in itself. The soaring ceilings and the play of light filtering through the windows create a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal place for quiet contemplation. The architecture and the artistry on display truly make this cathedral a masterpiece.The guided tour provided valuable insights into the cathedral's rich history. Learning about the notable events that took place within its walls and the prominent figures buried on its grounds added depth to my appreciation of the site.Outside, the cathedral grounds are equally charming. The well-maintained gardens and the close proximity to the city center make it a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling town.In conclusion, my visit to Winchester Cathedral was a journey through time and a feast for the senses. It's a place where history, art, and spirituality converge seamlessly. I left with a profound appreciation for the dedication and skill of those who contributed to the creation and preservation of this cultural gem. Whether you're a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or someone seeking a moment of tranquility, Winchester Cathedral is an absolute must-visit.

Anatori S — Google review

Amazing place to visit, so much to see and learn about. The Moon was just incredible and seemed so real. Also wonderful to see the Bible dating back over a thousand years. Really helpful, kind staff. The crypt was brilliant. The architecture was just mingling. Your ticket lasts 12 months so you can visit as much as you want for the year.

Rhys H — Google review

Such a brilliant place to visit.When we reached service was going on and we had free entry inside the cathedral. The choir was fantabulous - enjoyed it.The cathedral itself is a very historical building located close to the town and an architectural marvel. Worth visit.Lots of parking available around the town.

CGe0 — Google review

Absolutely breathtaking! Definitely worth a visit. We were lucky enough to hear the choir rehearsing and the acoustics were amazing. Wasn't very busy, but we visited on a weeknight near closing. Visiting time could definitely be 1-2 hours to take in all the beauty.

Amanda B — Google review

Had a lovely guided tour around the Cathedral. Definitely good use of time if you like history and getting an awareness of these historical sites in the UK.The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and the tour does last a good hour. All the key locations and the history was covered extremely well.The guided tour is included in the ticket price which does help to make the ticket cost more acceptable but it was still quite steep never the less. A group of 4 adults is more than £50... Ouch!

Nathan C — Google review

We went on an excursion from the Queen Mary 2 and had an excellent guided tour. So much history and amazing architecture.

Adamltw — Google review

This is a must-see place if you are visiting Winchester, the cathedral is fantastic for those that love this type of building. We did the standard cathedral tour including the crypt, our guide was a lovely lady called Angela and she was so good with children and adults and so informative. Two of us then did the Tower Tour, this was amazing and well worth the fee.

Martin D — Google review

Disappointed with the price to enter Winchester Cathedral. Having visited a fair few cathedrals around England this was one of the most expensive. Externally not an exciting cathedral to view as it's a classic Norman design. Internally a mix of Norman and Gothic architecture and some interesting information boards to read. Didn't take us long to get round, under an hour which probably made the entrance fee feel more expensive. If you are fans of Religious history then worth a visit.

Andy W — Google review

Beautiful cathedral, lots to see - keep your ticket, the admission is good for the whole year. Last entry on a weekday is 4:30pm. There's a special exhibition that's only opened 10am-4pm. Jane Austen tomb is here too.

Polina O — Google review

A very interesting building, lots of history. £12.50 per adult, get a guided tour as you will miss most of the interesting stuff.The tickets once purchased are valid for 12 months,so always good for a return visit.I will return the next time i am in Winchester.

Stephen S — Google review

Cathedral looks much nicer from inside.We had a guided tour, which was included in the price of £13.50 per adult, and children under 16 were free. Ticket valid for 1 year.We parked at the park and ride, well worth it.

TheSnec5 — Google review

Well worth the entrance fee, which can include a not too be missed guided tour. Apart from the stunning cathedral, find the plinth dedicated to William Walker's achievements. Without him, the building would not be standing as it is today.

Mike L — Google review

An impressive place to visit. Lots of interesting historical facts and beautiful interior. Entry £12,50 per adult, but it is worth the price. You can easily spend minimum 2 hours inside if you like history and facts.

Moramiko — Google review

Such an interesting place to visit. Winchester is a delightful town with lots of places to eat and drink and good shopping also.The cathedral is beautiful with many interesting things to discover. When you buy a ticket it will allow entry for a year! Parking in town is quite easy and the cathedral Is a short walk. Definitely recommended.

Jab.7 — Google review

Definitely the best place to visit in Winchester by a hell of a lot, and definitely one of the best cathedrals in the country. The history is incomparable and it's a perfect example of cathedral architecture through time, with everything from Romanesque to Perpendicular Gothic, and modern additions. When I visited it was school holidays, a little bit grey but with blue skies later, and not busy at all (I got pictures from one end to the other without any people in, very rare, even at around 11-12ish).The nave roof is stunning, very similar to that at Norwich, and the west window is like a mosaic of old glass that although isn't perhaps as impressive as others gives off a beautifully clear light and reminds me of the Dean's Eye at Lincoln.The transepts and the crypt are the oldest parts of the building, in their Norman big-bonedness. The crypt was flooded when I was there which I had been desperately hoping for (although it's probably not the best thing for the cathedral building) - it is amazing. I tried to take a (very cautious) step down from the top step of the main viewing platform and realised I couldn't because the water was only just lower than it - it was very high. But it's beautiful - the statue is reflected perfectly. I'd love to see it unflooded as well and take the crypt tour around to the other side.The choir is lovely under the crossing, another beautiful ceiling with a helpful mirror to look up. I couldn't see any miserichords but I'm sure there were some - I did find a little finial with a funny looking guy on it who was pretty cool. The roof screen is one of the highlights - every little niche has it's own carved vault, many statues all life sized and with tiny details you can't even make out, and so many other little touches that make it an absolute masterpiece of Mediaeval and Victorian craftsmanship. The area behind is closed off but you can get around into the retrochoir with the tomb of St. Swithin which is lovely and some gorgeous chapels with lovely ceilings. There's a little section of ceiling between the end of the aisles and the retrochoir's first arch where it goes diagonal and the vault becomes really strange and wonky which I adore - a very inelegant solution to a problem that's created a beautiful little detail.Another highlight was the Kings & Scribes exhibition - it's great to get up into the triforium without a tour. The bottom floor has the Winchester Bible which is very beautiful, the video explaining how they made it is probably not the best for some people (like vegans - it's written on calfskins) but is very interesting. There's a lot of effort put in there. Upstairs you can go inside the library where you can look, on a screen, inside some of the manuscripts, which have some graffiti and other cool little things. There's also a really interesting bit about the mortuary chests where they found the bones of ancient kings, and how they figured out who they are - they're unsure but they've put in a hell of a lot of effort - I watched most of the video on display which was interesting, and loved the interactive screens that went through the science of it. On the top floor there's windows through into the nave aisles' rooves, which are very dark but cool to see, a large balcony over the transept which offers stunning views of the crossing, an exhibition about the building of the cathedral, and another exhibition about the monks' lives which was also good. Loved the bit about the cathedral, and the views too.The café and shop are also very good - had a lovely panini, good loos. here's also a statue outside the café of the diver who saved the cathedral - very much worth a read, and there's a pub named after him nearby. It's also worth going along the south side because you walk through the buttresses along the wall which makes for great pictures, especially in the golden hour.So, I highly recommend a visit to Winchester Cathedral. It's simply wonderful. I'll have to come back to take a crypt tour, and the tower tour which I didn't take because I did one at Salisbury.

Adam W — Google review

Incredible building with so much history. Your ticket allows you entry for a full year. Highly recommend the free guided tours from the volunteers, they are very knowledgeable and passionate. Always visit this cathedral whenever I'm in Winchester.

Lyndsay B — Google review

Superb & impressive 1000+ year old Cathedral in the center of Winchester.Known to be one of the earliest stone built buildings in the whole of England & Europe.Also there is a museum inside over 3 floors.You can get a free guided tour which is included in the entrance fee. (The entrance fee allows unlimited visits in the year)See images for pricing and opening times.Definitely worth a look. 👀Cafe, shop and toilets.Parking available in the town at various places

Simon S — Google review

I took the Tower Tour. 213 extremly narrow, steep, and uneven stairs to the top. A great view when you get there, especially if you get lucky with the weather. The decent to Ringing Floor (Britain's largest apparently) is probably slightly more challenging (down those same stairs). I have given this tour 5 stars because the guides are excellent and I enjoyed it very much but do be aware that this is not your ordinary climb (and the number of steps is not really the issue)

Richard S — Google review

4.7

(9257)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (151)

4.5

(4647)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (152)

9 The Cl, Winchester, SO23 9LS, United Kingdom

+44 1962 857200

24

Marwell Zoo

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Zoo

Outdoor Activities

The Marwell Zoo is a zoo that houses a large variety of animals from all over the world. It has several habitats, including an African savannah, an Australian rainforest, and a Toy Train track. The zoo has been recently upgraded with new enclosures and additions, making it one of the best zoos in the United Kingdom. The staff are always polite and helpful, and take great care of the animals.

I recommend arriving early around 10 or 11 AM, that way you can enjoy watching many of the animals be fed. Catching meal times ensures that the animals are active and you see the interactions with their handlers. There’s a decent amount of parking, and make sure you bring your walking shoes as there’s a fair distance between some of the exhibits. There are even some enclosures that you can walk into any animals roam around you. There’s lots of space for families to spread out and enjoy!

Amanda L — Google review

Fantastic family day out. I took my 11 year old and 2 year old. We booked online,under 3s are free. Easy to get around and there is a lovely little train. We went and it started to rain so the train ride came in handy it cost 2 pound per person no charge for my 2 year old.Plenty of toilets and places to eat. Gorgeous animals to see we were lucky enough to watch the red panda playing in the tree and say some gorgeous birds in the open aviary and there is some lovely garden areas and the manor is absolutely gorgeous.

Kathryn M — Google review

Always a pleasure to go to Marwell although I feel there is too much wire fencing and some animals still don't have enough space.I am not sure how I feel about some of the larger animals being held in such small areas. I understand however that they are well cared for.

Liz W — Google review

A very enjoyable zoo on a large site. The tropical house was the highlight for our group... we loved seeing the natural blend of plants, birds and tortoises (sadly we couldn't spot the sloth). Also really enjoyed watching the giraffe and snow leopard.Like many zoos the site is large quite steep in places so it's worth wearing comfy shoes as you're going to want to cover a lot of ground.

Dave H — Google review

First time visiting, came here after recommended by friends.Had a lovely day out, despite the rain, lots of animals to see including penguins 🐧, Monkeys 🐒, Red Pandas 🐼, snow leopard 🐆 and many more.There was no queues to get into the park and loads is parking available.Animals can be seen clearly, through glass and enclosures, so young children to adults can enjoy the experience.This is an Ideal day out for anyone, babies, children, on your own, couples, elderly, wheelchair users, as there is slopes to make the park more accessible.There is a lot of land and a fair bit of walking to do around the zoo, so bear that in mind, however, there are benches and seats all around.Had lunch in cafe Graze, it's quite small, but plenty of choices of food, from cookies, cakes and muffins, to chip, jacket potatoes or lasagne.There is probably only 10 tables inside the cafe, but there is a large outdoor dining area.All the staff are very friendly from the man who sold me my ticket at the entrance, to the lady who served me in the cafe and wished me a happy new year, to the gentleman who answered my questions in the tropical enclosure.Would definitely go again one day, but not for a while.If your looking to go often, you can upgrade your day ticket to an annual membership.The only thing, I felt let the zoo down, was the lack of toilets.

Em B — Google review

A little small zoo. Still a nice few hours with the kids. Get there on good time and walk around slowly.. when it's not to hot animals are always pm display and very visible to see. Unfortunately, this weekend it was so hot, think they all had enough. Always a good little place to go though. Nice gift shop. Toilets pretty clean. Nice picnic area but food is available.

Sharlene T — Google review

Wonderful zoo. Spread over a lovely country estate. The owners have obviously given great thought to the enclosures and most are huge, bigger than many other zoos. I did some reviews that you don't get to see the animals. This is easily resolved here as most enclosures have more than one viewing point and we went back to some enclosures again on our way out and saw the ones who were asleep etc on our first try. Remember these are living creatures with a routine of their own not "performers" in our "play"

Rob B — Google review

Fantastic day out for families. I had not been in 30 years and I have to say that some of the place looked a bit tired and some of the old enclosures have been left to rot but what they do have is a fantastic range of very healthy looking animals. The range of animals from Tigers to monkeys, birds and a big hit if a red panda, is just right and the ability to see the animals as you walk around is just right. It's a good few hours of walking with a land train that lets you see the whole thing of you want. There are lots of picnic spots, and play parks dotted around. Kids that normally moan after a few hours were well entertained.

Tom L — Google review

Good family visit. Children of 2 and 5 enjoyed their time here and seeing quite a variety of animals.We had a pushchair and a wheelchair and got round everywhere with ease.With a bit of improvement to some enclosures and some good weeding this would enhance the experience (some places were in dire need of a bit of weeding and obstructed the view). Would also suggest some enclosure could do with improving although most were very well sized for the animal (tiger seemed to have ample space to roam in the enclosure).

Martin — Google review

Been too loads of different zoo's in the past and I have too say that this is one of the best. We got there for 10 on Sunday when they opened and we walked round seeing all the different animals stopped of for lunch and had a train ride and that took us up to 2.15. It was a lovely day, the animals looked well looked after. Would have liked too see more turtles and monkeys but apart from that is was brilliant.

Gary D — Google review

I have visited Marwell Zoo many times over the last 15+ years and have always enjoyed my time here. They have a large selection of animals and have upgraded enclosures and added new ones over the last few years. The Tropical House and the aviary are currently closed due to the avian flu so you won't be able to see the birds that fly here or the sloths. The restaurant serves lovely food with large portions, although on pricey as to be expected at these types of attractions. The staff are always polite and helpful and the zoo keepers take great care of the animals. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in wildlife.

Hannah G — Google review

Absolutely blown away with the place! Managed to get some beautiful photos of the animals there, abd we were pleased to see that they are so well cared for. You can really see that the keepers are trying their best to make each animals enclosure as close to their natural habitat as possible. Lots of open spaces and walking around which was nice, and lots of different variety of parks for the children. I would definitely recommend this as a place to visit if you are in the vicinity, or for a day out as we did from the Isle of Wight. Beautiful place and a great attraction. We liked that the price was so good also!

Alli S — Google review

Lovely day spent at Marwell Zoo, weekday and out of school holidays so other than a group of small school kids it was wonderfully quiet.Great facilities with friendly staff and volunteers throughout the park.Loads of animals to see all in spacious enclosures allowing them to roam as free as possible with excellent viewing opportunities.Ticket prices are very reasonable and there is plenty of free parking. We took a picnic but the food places and food on offer looked pretty good. We did grab a latte, which despite being machine made, was great. There were plenty of picnic areas/tables dotted around the park for those who had brought their own food. Gift shop by the entrance/exit was full of the usual gifts and masses of cuddly toys…the prices weren’t crazy which is a bonus!All in all a great day out, highly recommended…

Jo J — Google review

Always great fun for everyone.Will disagree with previous reviews that there was no animals. We managed to see most of them.We actually had a nice meal in the zoo canteen. To compare to another this to type of places ( mainly theme parks) food was very tasty and reasonably priced. Also, the ice cream by the playground was awesome.Clean toilets all around the park. Free parking.

Piotr “ — Google review

Incredible, sunny day at the zoo. Started the journey and got on the M3. Clear signage to go to the place. Lots of parking spaces. Prices as shown in pictures, paid on the day (so not sure if its more affordable online). Great open spaces for the animals. Fairly clean throughout. Many kiosks, a restaurant and cafes. We enjoyed the day so much and took amazing photos. A place that I highly recommend for an entire day to have time to see as much.

Dr. A — Google review

4 wonderful hours spent here today, for what I believe was a very reasonable amount of money. All the animals looks happy & content in there large enclosures, never saw any pacing back & forth. Zoo was clean & tidy without litter lying around, toilet's plentiful & clean. Nice areas for children to play in. Will return. Highly recommend.

Haydn M — Google review

Marwell is my local wildlife park, I have been regularly going for most of my life because I support their breeding programs. I have given a lower rating this time because I was disappointed at how much the level of animal species has dropped in the time since my last visit in 2018 :-( I really hope that this is just a Covid impact and that they get back to their original standard soon.

Dawn G — Google review

Another fabulous visit (members)Really enjoy being a member here, you never get the same experience and always come away with a different favourite of the day…today it was the weaver birds, busy making beats for their ladies absolutely fascinating to watch the different stages they were at with their ‘house builds’. Rhinos were very active today and we enjoyed watching them take a mud bath before bustling toward the same tree for a good scratch!Today we met a volunteer at two different points around the park ‘Dave Taylor’ he was fabulous telling us all about the lemurs and then what was new since we last visited including the new snow leopard (who we were lucky enough to later spot). We later bumped into him in the tropical house, his knowledge of all the bird species was fascinating and he helped us spot all the breeds. He really made the day more interesting and enjoyable.Very clean (including all animal enclosures we encountered were extremely well kept) family friendly day out, accessible for all with no steps, plenty of inside and outdoor picnic areas dotted around the park, even in the height of summer we have never struggled to find a picnic table. Good choice of food in the cafes/snack stations, gift shop sells a lovely array of items of interest to babies, children and adults.Would love to see a ‘keeper for the day’ experience introduced.I am still missing the Marabou storks though, loved how they liked showing off to visitors

Kat Q — Google review

Wonderful zoo, the animals are well looked after, staff are all great and care for the animals and their jobs. Lots of walking paths and places to explore, stopping points and food outlets. Number of play parks en route. It’s about 3 miles total walking distance around the outer perimeter. Very clean and tidy.As with any zoo, the big cats and primates can’t have as much space to roam and play as they would in an ideal world but they are safe.We went on the weekend when it’s very busy and in the week as well, during the week is far better and less crowded. The zoo relies on donations, paying customers and ticket entry - it’s all going to a valuable cause.

P L — Google review

I've been a few times but we went for my nieces birthday back in April. We managed to see everything we wanted to see. Lovely walks all around the zoo with toilets and pop up coffee huts tucked around. We brought lunch there and was pleasantly surprised at the cost and the food was very nice.

Chantelle H — Google review

Really good - much bigger and far more animals than expected. Stopped our Longleat membership (c4-500) for family and have now joined here. Some stuff is a little tired perhaps as others have said. But being able to walk around everything with no crowds worked better for us. And the free access to lots of other zoos will come in very handy and save us another 200+. Bonus!

Scott W — Google review

We went on a Saturday. We bought our tickets online and saved waiting at the entrance.The park is clean, there are plenty of areas for children to play and restaurants with a good price but with a very good quality.We saw a lot of animals although there were some areas without animals.The organisation is very good and you can do the tour in one day very comfortably.There are no shows or at least we didn't see anything to see how they are fed or an explanation of their lives.Highly recommended and very good to go with children.

Marc V — Google review

Amazing zoo in regard to size, facilities and planning. (Plus the factor of childhood memories)Was ever so disappointed that we didn’t see many animals as they could’ve been hiding in the bushes or in their shelters!!Loved the space, surrounded by flat green surfaces, benches literally everywhere, whenever you feel tired , u can take a rest and sit for a bit.Would preferred to see some shows / performances, there was non.Had there been animal feeding activity that would be memorable.(kids feeding goats and such)No lions no elephants.

Rania — Google review

Great Zoo, just have to be patient on the animals and advise to take a picnic. It was very hot and sunny more shaded areas would be great too. We where in a wheelchair and was fine just a before for the person pushing its a tad hilly at parts. The play parks are great for children 6+

Nick B — Google review

We visited Marwell Zoo about 15-20 times in the past 13 years, and we absolutely love it. We have so many lovely memories. My son just turned 13 and still enjoys visiting. The entry fee is reasonable. the staff is amazing and there is so much to see.

Judit K — Google review

Season ticket holders for more years than I can count, it's a fantastic day out at all ages, my toddler loves it, my teenager loves it, we love it (40s) and the grandparents love it (70s). Beautiful site, ever evolving and always something new to see.

Caryl ( — Google review

Beautiful zoo with so much to see, we especially loved getting up close the penguins and the short train ride. It’s great to go during the week with a baby as it’s not too busy and it’s cheaper to book in advance.

Hayley K — Google review

Definitely should've picked a better day as it absolutely tipped it down. But it's always a good day going to the zoo. The only bad thing was the amount of birds that were around the tables by the cafe as this meant there was a lot of bird poo on the tables!

Lauren — Google review

Overall, it was a fairly disappointing visit - it was too expensive for what it was and although there were standout animals, many were difficult to see or appeared missing.As a guide, we weren't rushing and it took us about 2.5 hours. That said you could quite easily spend 4/5 hours, particularly with small children.PROS:🦒 Some great animals that you could see fairly closely - giraffes, rhinos and snow leopard were the standout.🧺 Lots of picnic benches, tables and nice grassy spots suitable for a picnic throughout the park, including a few inside picnic spots too - there was excellent choice of where to sit!🛝 A good number of children's play areas throughout the park which would be fun for smaller children.CONS:🤷🏼‍♂️ Many of the animals were either not there (or hiding well), or difficult to see as they are set a long way back from the path. This led to it feeling you were doing lots of walking and not really seeing much.💲 It's far too expensive for what it is - given similar attractions, it should probably have been half of the £25 they charge.🫤 The zoo generally had quite a "meh" or underwhelming feeling compared to other similar attractions I've done in the past, although it's difficult to quite put your finger on what it is about it.

Anthony J — Google review

Went recently with the 30 day return ticket, had a wonderful time, been again and hoping to go again before our tickets expire. Friendly staff, clean facilities and areas to eat your own food or buy from the eateries. I hadn't been there since I was a Child so nice to share this with my Son.

Natural B — Google review

I don't want to slag this place off because of the fantastic work they do.The staff were lovely. The animals were beautiful.It was just a bit average. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it.......... It was just a bit meh.I would not go again when it is cold.

Andy ( — Google review

Had a great day out here and there was something for everyone. My 3 year old daughter loved seeing the Giraffes up close and was excited to get up close and personal with the monkeys and see them get fed too. The staff were very knowledgable and friendly and were really keen to chat to us casually and explain some of the funny behaviours that the monkeys where displaying too! It was a great day overall and it's so important that places like Marwell not only exist, but thrive. Conservation is so important and its great to see so many endangered animals roam around happily in large, clean, interesting enclosures. It would be tragic if these creatures went extinct before my three year old reaches my age and so places like Marwell that focus on protecting and breeding these endangered animals are so crucial. :)

What M — Google review

Has a great day out with a giraffe feeding experience for the wife's birthday and she wasn't disappointed got to feed all three of the lovely giraffes and of course see lots of other animals in the tour of the zoo even had a ride on the train around the zoo with lots of information on board 😀

Mark L — Google review

Went for a date trip during the children's summer holidays, bough my tickets online which made it quicker to get through. We were meeting family by the penguins. The weather was good so had a great day saw loads and some animals were hiding but that's normal for a zoo. The giraffes were eating so we had time with them indoors they were beautiful animals.I had two older children but the othe family came with a younger one. Everyone enjoyed the day. We went through a really hot area saw some amazing birds and stepped outside to find an ice cream stall well placed so we all sat and enjoyed a break. I would recommend this place for the family.The only thing we didn't try was the park ride/train thing. So will do that next time.

Mark W — Google review

I haven't been to somewhere like a zoo since I was a kid, we thought with our kids interest in animals, where would be a great place to go for their first birthday that would keep them interested, a Zoo of course. It was a bit of a treat for the family and it's somewhat surprising how you can wonder round and lose the best part of a day.There's a gift/coffee shop near the entrance which means you can get yourself a little something before you start your adventure, you can download an app to your phone to know what to look for when going round and I genuinely enjoyed it. There is a main eatery about half way round, which we mainly stopped at as feeing time for the child - the warning here if you are not a parent (or maybe if you are too) it does get really busy here and you have to leave buggies outside, which got surprisingly chaotic, because kids all need feeding at the same time.On the far side of the zoo there's like a little ice cream/coffee shop/loos which is OK to watch zebras from.I think the big lesson here is to always look for nicer/warmer weather. One of the things we wanted to see and thought our child would love was the big cats, like small cats they tend to sleep in the warm indoors on cold days so aren't roaming about, which meant we didn't see any.Overall a pretty reasonable day out, not too expensive either, next time we visit will definitely be in the warmer weather though!

Dale B — Google review

Nice zoo lots space clean enclosures nice to see some of animals close up they seemed well looked after! Friendly staff an enjoyable day lots walking! Cafe graze needed more staff service very slow food went cold waiting in queue 2 pay nobody clearing tables etc! Some undercover picnic areas so take picnic!

T5868 — Google review

9.9/10! So so amazing. You could see almost every animal in there had amazing care (except the royal pythons who shouldn’t be cohabitated). Other zoos should take inspiration. I was genuinely so happy to look around and see everything in such good care (except royal pythons). Only thing would be to move the royal pythons into their own enclosure! Hopefully that was just temporary 🤞 anyway, best zoo I’ve ever visited in terms of animal wellness! Enclosures were all stunning! My favourites by far were the emerald tree skinks, such fun animals 😍

Mia A — Google review

I love visiting zoos. And marwell Zoo is really nice.I was a bit disappointed that we didn't see most of the animals, but due to the weather, I can kind of understand why.Beautiful layout, so much to do.Brilliant family attraction

James N — Google review

4.4

(9743)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (157)

4.0

(3681)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (158)

Thompson's Ln, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, United Kingdom

+44 1962 777407

25

Basildon Park

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$$$$affordable

Sights & Landmarks

A beautiful and well-maintained parkland with a stately home is a must-visit tourist attraction in Basildon. With multiple films and TV series having been filmed here, it's no wonder the house is so impressive. The grounds are perfect for picnics, and it's easy to see why this destination has been loved by locals and tourists for years.

Bit of a queue to get into car park due overflow field too wet to use. No problem though. Beautiful light draped trees leading to house. Stunning house with plenty of rooms open, many with great Christmas decorations. Busy but pleasant cafe, no problem getting a table. Many paths around the parkland. Well recommended.

AS — Google review

This is such a beautiful National Trust house. It's stunning inside and the views are also magnificent.If you watch any of the films that filmed at the house, you will even enjoy it more.And all volunteering staff was amazing, so patient and friendly. I highly recommend this venue!Don't miss the shell room. It's breathtaking!Parking can be tricky on nice day but worth the wait!

Laura F — Google review

A beautiful, stately home with awesome grounds that provide ample grounds for spending an entire day, especially when the weather is nice. There are so many choices of picnic spots, each with a unique view. The cafeteria serves decent food at a modest price. Access to the main house may be a little difficult for those in wheelchairs although the trust may have made provisions that I didn't notice.Children of all ages will have a great time here as it's perfect for a family day out.

Fola — Google review

Another charming house in the National Trust portfolio.Set in rolling Berkshire countryside near Reading this is a lovely place to visit. The Parkland has a number of walks available to take in the beautiful scenery .The staff are very polite and helpful.There is also a cafe available in the house.The car park is a short walk away from the house and there are buggies available if required.For the military history visitor Basildon was home to the 101st Airborne from 1943-1944 and also had a POW camp.

Gav P — Google review

So grateful for our National Trust memberships. Another lovely place to visit and once again fantastic volunteers on hand with founts of knowledge. The grounds are impeccably kept and there are 4 walks ranging from 20 mins to 2 hours through fields and woodland. Also don't be put off by the fairly plain exterior, inside the house is stunning. We loved it.

Wayne A — Google review

It's a lovely country estate. Ideal for dog walkers, families or for anyone who just want to go for a nice woodland walk or look around in the house which appeared on many movies including Downtown Abbey.The Christmas decoration in the house is also very lovely during the festive season. Weekends can be busy at the car park. The earlier you could go is the best. (AM)

Anita C — Google review

Stunning building and gardens. Several major movies have been filmed here and well deserved. Interior rooms are beautifully decorated and the enthusiastic staff are more than happy to help and answer questions.

David H — Google review

A lovely national trust house, the guides in the house were very knowledgeable and friendly. We had a 3 mile walk around the grounds and through the woods. Lunch in the cafe and a meander in the formal gardens. A great day out.

Angela F — Google review

Recently visited this hidden gem with friends - honestly, we wanted to have a picnic somewhere nice, halfway between the two houses and Basildon Park popped up on the map 🗺Realised, when we arrived at the house, that multiple films and TV series have been filmed here 🎥The house is magnificent, the grounds are beautiful and if you are as lucky as we were; it’s the perfect spot for a picnic - would definitely visit again.I’ve given a 4* rating, only because I felt £15.00 per person is quite steep - although I’m hoping we can visit the national parks regularly, so we may invest in a couple of memberships.

Savannah B — Google review

Taking the exit from the M4, I followed a couple of signs to the car park entrance, as maps takes you to another entrance. Fortunately I found a spot in the overflow car park as the main car park was busy.The ticket office, shop and toilets are located at the start. Before you take a brief uphill walk to the tea room and main house. Lots of space in the tea room with indoor and outdoor seating. There is also an interesting murial painted around the inside seating area.Inside the house there is a room with extravagant wall paper depicting scenes from India.There is a small garden at the rear of the house with a wide variety of plants.I took the long boundary walk which lasted approximately 55minutes at a fairly moderate pace. You pass through a cow field at the start and some children's play areas towards the end. Lots of open space and places to walk/explore. Didn't feel particularly busy at any point.

Gavin W — Google review

Beautiful house and grounds with some nice walks. The house has been carefully and tastefully restored after falling into disrepair. Excellent staff and volunteers with great knowledge. Very nice cafe/restaurant area also with courtyard seating. Would recommend.

Malcolm T — Google review

NT property that has been used in the filming of Downton Abbey. Beautiful extensive grounds many peaceful walks.stunning scenery. Lovely coffee shop next to a pretty rose garden

JanB — Google review

Well maintained grounds and very friendly staff. The staff in the house were VERY chatty, I don’t mind usually but it took much too long to actually get to look around because they were talking for so long. Lots to see and do, and the Tea Room is lovely, a nice value for an afternoon tea and scone. Overall a great day out.

Marissa C — Google review

Lovely place to visit especially during Spring!Staff were very knowledgeable in all the rooms in the house and we enjoyed a cheese scone and cake in the tea room at the end.We had a nice walk around the garden and will return at some point to do the full grounds as we are National Trust Members!

Abbie T — Google review

Magnificent country Manor, with some great art.Great place to walk in the gardens, around the estate, or have a picnic on the lawn. Lots of seats around where you can just sit and take in the amazing views. The tea rooms, with their tropical decor, are large with plenty of seating, and a separate dog friendly area. Staff are all friendly and helpful.

David S — Google review

A beautiful park and palace with incredibly helpful guides in every room, where you can get a huge amount of knowledge about what happened in the palace and when. The beautifully preserved rooms and conservation of historical artifacts, along with Lady Charlotte's breathtaking shell collection, are simply stunning. It's amazing how easy it once was to acquire and transport such shells without any problem. Wonderful views and delightful green landscapes offer the opportunity for endless walks with your dog. On-site facilities include toilets, a café, and a souvenir shop. It's a welcoming place with lots of interesting information and beautiful decorations.

Inez B — Google review

Wonderful day out. Great easy walks in the grounds. T room is a bit busy but the house is beautiful and the grounds are wonderful. Away from the main area on the long walk we had the place to ourselves.

John ( — Google review

Beautiful forest walk, with amazing scenery around.Then, open onto the most beautiful display of Foxgloves and roses in so well kept gardens. Well done to everyone involved... It is stunning.

Thomas O — Google review

Beautiful grounds and a lovely house. The room decorated with sea shells is especially worth having a look. The cafe is good.

Diane M — Google review

Another NT house , lots to see and discuss. Large parklands to explore and neat well prepared lawns side and rear. Large 2 roomed cafe , 1 of which interestingly decorated in Thai style. Think there's also a lake at bottom of hill but rain prevented exploration.

Warren H — Google review

It was a lovely day out. The house setting is amazing, 360 degrees of rural-ness! Beautiful garden. Lots of walks through the grounds, which are so picturesque. Lovely tea room. There are plenty of places to sit if you take your own picnic, like we did. The staff are very knowledgeable about the house history. We have been here a few times, and there is always something new to see.

Jill K — Google review

Good food, lots of history from the past. Elegant mansion and garden. Wide space for outdoor walk and dog-friendly

Fil-Italian U — Google review

Utterly charming. We visited at my wife’s insistence even though it was more than an hour away. We have a rescue Beagle with damaged paws who needs soft flat grassland to walk on. From the moment we arrived we were charmed with the lovely atmosphere. Wonderful car park lady attendant, very helpful young well spoken lady on ticketing and friendly staff at the coffee shop and gift shops. A short walk from the car park up to the house with excellent far reaching views across the Thames valley. Well worth going out of your way for. Recommended.

Will H — Google review

Excellent day out. Unfortunately it was raining when we visited but did little to taint the overall experience of the day. The volunteer guides dotted around the house were knowledgeable and very friendly. The cafe was very good too. We will visit again soon - this time when the sun is out!

Ed C — Google review

Massive 400 acres estate with a beautifully restored house and well maintained garden. Lots of walking trail. They have tables and benches where you can enjoy a family picnic. There is also a children's playground. If the main car park is full, they have an overflow car park. They have a nice cafe with painted walls. Staff were all lovely and pleasant. When you have time, chat with them and listen to the amazing stories. The room with the silk wall is quite interesting. I initially thought it was wallpaper.

Shame N — Google review

We had a wonderful visit to Basildon Park. It’s a beautiful house with vast grounds to explore including short grass, easy access areas and trickier wooden terrain. There is a golf cart transport service if you find the slope up through the beautifully lit wooded path tricky to navigate beyond the free car park that has ample spaces. Staff were very friendly and accommodating. There is a cafe and shop on site and pleasant toilet facilities and lots of options for walks. Well worth a visit.

Beth P — Google review

Basildon Park is an incredible sight to see. As you enter the car park you are greeted by the friendly staff who explain the site and how to get to the house. There are sufficient amenities, toilets, a small shop prior to going to the house and some outside seating. You walk to the house through the quiet and tranquil woodlands, and as you walk round to the left you are greeted by the enormous house. The house is kept in excellent condition. You walk up some stairs for the entrance, where you're greeted by some knowledgeable staff. You are guided through the different rooms and each room has a guide to give you interesting little tid bits of information. The tea room has an array of sandwiches and hot food. We had jacket potatoes with cheese and beans, which were both really tasty and the coleslaw was incredible. We then went round back to enjoy the gardens and nature and it really does just make you feel calm and relaxed. The full experience for us took around 2 hours 30minutes. It could take longer or it could be shorter. Adult entry is £16 if you're not a National trust member. The Jacket potatoes were £7-9. A bottle of water was £3.30. The sausage roll was £4.70. There is a kids option of £5 for 5 items. So if you are a big family and eating there you may find a big bill. I highly recommend visiting especially when flowers are in full bloom.

Trish C — Google review

4.5

(3492)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (163)

4.5

(1232)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (164)

Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9NR, United Kingdom

+44 1491 672382

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26

Beale Wildlife Park

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Wildlife park

Nature & Parks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

Beale Wildlife Park is a spacious 350-acre nature reserve that features scenic nature trails, river cruises and a diverse range of wildlife including red deer and rare birds. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the premises. Visitors of all ages can enjoy well-maintained facilities such as clean toilets and fantastic play areas, with information provided on the animals in an easy-to-understand format along with pictures for kids.

Really impressed, so much to see and do, not just for children but adults too!All well maintained, looked after and clean.Animals all seemed happy and had lots of space (I am not an expert of course just the view of a normal person). Information on all the animals easy to understand and pictures too for the little people.Play areas are fantastic, for all ages.Toilets clean and easy to access.

Sophie B — Google review

Absolutely stunning park. The floral and fauna were both spectacular. The staff on entry were really polite and friendly. My toddler loved the little train ride. The site has a few lovely eateries and picnic areas. I especially loved the Japanese Garden and the beautiful parrots. Wil definitely visit again soon.

Maha U — Google review

Great day out on a very warm sunny day in this laid back park. Staff were very friendly and helpful, it was a special promotion day and was very busy. Parking was free, entrance was quick despite the high attendance. The park is big with a giant bouncing pillow, large well maintained paddling pool, plenty of play parks, a great mini train ride at no extra cost and a variety of animals dotted around well maintained and interesting grounds.Clean and well maintained toilet facilities, although the restaurant is closed for refurbishment, there was a fast food and coffee/ drinks facility near the paddling pool, with ample picnic tables and shady nooks all over the park.

Vance W — Google review

So lots of positives from our day here today.🌟Reasonable cost to get in, free train ride included in ticket cost and some talks, animal feeds, silent disco also comes with ticket price.🌟So much to do for children, at least 4 decent large play areas, big sand pit, and the big paddling pool with some deck chairs and parasols around.🌟Even on a hot weekend day like today it wasn’t unbearably busy.🌟very pretty grounds, some nice areas to walk through with sculptures etc🌟All staff from ticket entrance to train driver to the knowledgeable people running talks etc are super friendly and helpfulFew negatives. Some areas are quite run down and definitely in need of a repaint! The Japanese garden in particular, paint peeling and faded sadly lets down what could be really beautiful 🏯Food offerings are not the best. Small cafe for the size of the park, standard cafe food ok just quite basic.Some nice food vans around the pool area but the ice cream van was way overpriced. £4.50 for a small biscoff cone 😳All in all had a good day and would return

Emma W — Google review

A park like no other! Enjoyable for all ages and food prices in all ranges. The architecture and grounds are a thing of beauty to admire not to mention the animals and the roaming peacock! It's a day worthy experience and worth every penny of it's ticket price. Entirely wheelchair accessible with lovely staff and tidbits of information on hand.

Hope M — Google review

Simple to get to, took us 50mins. Lots off parking,Lovely place to go, kids loved it. It might be small but there's lots to do.Small pool, sandpit. Diff play area for kids at different ages. Toilets all around,

Kila R — Google review

Easy to get to and well signposted. Lots of fabulous animals and birds. Great play areas and a train ride. Great for families and kids of all ages.

Benjamin L — Google review

Great place to go with the kids. There is a train ride, a large bouncy dome, plenty of animals, nice food, large play area with swings and slide and a small soft play probably aimed for under 5's. My only gripe is the men's toilets weren't great. No lock on one and a huge gap in the other. Not great, especially when you have a medical condition. Old hand dryers as well. Needs improving!

4front L — Google review

Fanatic day out for all the family.The animal experiences are good and not excessively priced like at some other zoos I could mention (you do have to book online before visiting though).There is a splash pool and play equipment which is great for breaking up the day. Don't forget a towel!

Robert T — Google review

Fabulous wildlife park with a good variety of animals, most of which can be seen up close. Knowledgeable and helpful keepers happy to answer questions.The animals are spread out across the park so it makes for a nice walk with the animals interspersed. Mature Japanese style garden is pleasant to sit in for lunch.Some large playgrounds are a welcome distraction for children along with a large paddling pool area which is available over the summer.

Rachel C — Google review

Lovely day out! I went with a group of friends, and we had a blast seeing the animals. Fair enough price with optional donation. The park is clean, and spacious enough that you don't end up bottlenecking or crowding too much. There's a variety of animals, and talks throughout the day. It seems they're doing their best as far as enrichment and welfare are concerned too which is nice to see. Seemed like good facilities for children, too!The only downside was our experience with food, which we queued for in the cafe (at 2pm because we were hoping to miss the rush) for an hour. They were show, ran out of food, we're understaffed and seemed generally a bit panicked - it was a bank holiday so perhaps they hadn't expected so many people, somehow? Food was decent enough, pizza was far more worth the price than what else was on offer.All in all a good day out for all ages!

Maisie B — Google review

What an amazing place!! Would have been 5 stars of there was a few more "zoo" animals, but I can't fault the place!! Great selection of animals, lots for the little ones to do and explore. Would definitely recommend and would definitely go back!!

Chris A — Google review

Wonderful day, lovely gardens and trees, animals and birds. Has areas of beauty and relaxing for adults. However also a great place for children with lots for things for them to see, activities to do.Lots of seats and grassy areas to have picnics, apparently in peak season there are a few cafes, only one with limited selection was open when we went.

Heather F — Google review

Really nice attraction with plenty of animals. Pleasant large grounds with ponds and lakes. Nice cafe with friendly and helpful staff. Theirs also a railway that takes you along and around which is good and gives another opportunity to see the wildlife at the back of the park. We did the meerkat encounter which was good value. The young guy that did it was really good 👍 👍

Mark M — Google review

It's a small wildlife park so take around 1 hour to walk around, the train ride is fun to go on, which circles around. There's a small gift shop on the way out and 2 cafes selling a small menu of lunch time food. The chicken nuggets we ordered were tasty.

Wei H — Google review

How I haven't visited before I don't know. We go to lots of wildlife parks in the area and this has turned into one of our favourites.Two adults and plenty to see and do, the animals were mainly out, very lucky that one of the Lynx doesn't seem too bothered by people, amazing gardens and a great full day.

Layla T — Google review

Had an amazing time at Beale Wildlife Park. The animals are well kept and have spacious enclosures. The playgrounds are amazing for kids and also the train ride, which is included in your ticket price. You can pay for extra rides for the train at the ticket office.Definitely would go back again and can't wait ❤️

Samantha I — Google review

Great day out, reasonably priced. Top marks!!Our second visit, which we enjoyed as much as the first. Staff were friendly and welcoming, a credit to the park.They have a small train which does a short tour of the park. Excellent for children of all ages (and grown ups as well if I'm honest). It's included in the admission fee which is nice.Lots of animals to see (otters, birds, reptiles, zebra etc etc). There are also lots of active things for kids in the way climbing frames, bouncy castle thing (there's no point me describing it you have to see it) and lots more.There's a garden section which is nice to stroll through with lots of flowers and decorations.Another thing to mention is the very competitively priced annual membership. £75 for adults and £60 for children is not too expensive. Honestly I'm considering signing myself my wife and my son for it.Either way an excellent location with lots to see and do. Well done Beale park 👍

Glyn R — Google review

Visited during half term and it was not busy at all. Bouncy pillow and playground areas in good condition, but it is clear the place is tired and could do with significant investment and more volunteers/sponsorship. It's not really a place for teens, but my son (11) still had a decent time. There is good signage about the animals but the qr codes lack the extra info promised. You can buy food, but it's not worth it, it's better to bring a picnic if you can. If you are a blue light card holder, you do get a discount on entry as well.

Lucy R — Google review

A very lovely zoo, lots of green space and things for kids and families to do. Food facilities seemed busy but didn't try them. We loved all the interesting animals and we spent around 3.5 hours exploring. Multiple toilets and interesting talks about the animals. The highlight for me was the capybaras, they were super chonky and the most chilled out animals I've ever seen! Good value, even better if there's good weather!

Em C — Google review

Visited on a very wet and rainy midweek day☔️, but still had a great time. Not quite as many animals as we expected, but they all look in great condition, well looked after and we were impressed with the size of the enclosures. Had a burger for lunch in their on-site cafe, which was also great. Primarily visited for the Meet the Capybara and Tapir experience, which was awesome: Neville the Tapir loves a tummy tickle and we fell in love with Sharron and Gary the Capybara’s.

Fobby — Google review

Beale Wildlife Park is a true gem for nature enthusiasts, earning its well-deserved 5-star rating. The park boasts an impressive variety of birds and animals, providing visitors with a delightful and educational experience. From majestic birds of prey to adorable mammals, the diversity is truly captivating.I confirmed the information on their website, and the opening times and dates ensure flexibility for visitors to plan their trips conveniently. The well-maintained grounds and thoughtfully designed habitats showcase a commitment to both conservation and visitor enjoyment.The inclusion of a charming little train adds an extra layer of fun, making it easy for families to explore the park comfortably. Additionally, the children's play parks provide a perfect outlet for young ones to burn off some energy while still embracing the beauty of the outdoors.Beale Wildlife Park excels in creating a harmonious environment where wildlife conservation meets recreational enjoyment, making it a must-visit destination for people of all ages.

PC 3 — Google review

Really good day. Entery was not over priced, good selection of animals, a large play area with a paddling pool, and a train. Good for younger children.

Graham H — Google review

We came here on a whim, taking a detour off the M4 travelling back to Wales from Wembley. Wanted to make the most of the day and not just spend it driving so a quick Google search for Animal attractions nearby brought up Beale Wildlife Park so we thought we'd give it a go and we're SO glad we did. We had a brilliant afternoon (two adults and a nearly 12 year old). There's plenty of animals to see, and I especially recommend going to see the Binturongs. They're incredible to look at.With your entry price they give you a ticket for the little train which takes you past half of the park.There's different play areas, a paddling pool and plenty of places to sit with a picnic (just watch out for the free roaming peacock who likes to help you clean up your crumbs)We had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and would definitely recommend a visit if you're in area.Compared to alot of places with similar to offer, the entry price is reasonable and they offer Blue Light discount also.The gift shop is pricey, but what gift shop isn't? They have some lovely things there though....much less tat than you would usually find in a gift shop.All the staff we encountered were friendly and happy to chat to you.Sadly, the snowy owl was off display while they await a new enclosure. My daughter was a little miffed as owls are her favourite but the rest of the afternoon and the other animals made up it.All in all we really enjoyed our off the cuff visit.A little gem tucked away that is well worth a visit.

Ashy V — Google review

Can't wait to go back!Staff is lovely and animals are well taken care of, the only regret we have is that we didn't get to spend a whole day, there is plenty of stuff to do and see!

Loredana M — Google review

Beautiful wildlife park in Berkshire just off the M4. Plenty of parking available and wheelchair access is there too. The park is well maintained, plenty of animals and birds to see and learn of their species. A lot of play area for the kids, a lot of seating available too. Definitely a spot of wildlife photographers to spend a day (come with an extra battery). I’d highly recommend visiting.

Alfred A — Google review

100% recommend doing the tapir and capybara feeding experience. I had the best time! I could have stayed in the Tapir enclosure all day. The tapir absolutely loved a scratch. The Capybara were also a good experience but they definitely wanted the food more than a smooth, which is fine. Loved seeing them up close. Milo led us on the experience and was very knowledgeable. The rest of the park was fun. Lots of interesting animals to see. We also rode on the train which was interesting. Some animals - like the wallaby are better seen from the train as the train went right past their enclosure.

Gabriella M — Google review

We love it here. Such a great space for all ages. Lots to see and do. Bit pricey for food/ice cream/coffee but to be expected. My daughter and I had a great time for her last preschool outing before school.

Emily J — Google review

Loved this place wish I had found it when my child was younger.Love the cappys and the gardens are beautiful! Pretty solid day out. My child was 12 so prob the only time we will go.

Briony F — Google review

First time visiting this park, as just a spur of the moment. Fairly large park which we were taken slightly aback by. Good selection of wildlife at the park, keepers passionate of the animals when giving talks.Plenty to do while at the park, whether to relax in the Japanese styled tranquil gardens, ride a train, which is included in the ticket price.A decent selection of playgrounds for the kids to play around in. Unable to comment about food as took a packed lunch.Allow a good few hours to explore the entire park.Make sure you take a photo of the map when you first enter the park as one isn’t provided, but where’s the fun in exploring the park with a map!

Christian L — Google review

4.4

(3425)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (176)

4.0

(1183)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (177)

Lower Basildon, Pangbourne, Reading RG8 9NW, United Kingdom

+44 118 976 7480

27

Carisbrooke Castle

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (178)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (179)

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Castle

Museums

Carisbrooke Castle is a medieval castle and museum in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, England. It was the original home of the Carisbrooke family and was used as a prison by the Commonwealth during the English Civil War. The castle also houses exhibits about its history and natural surroundings.

What an amazing place to visit. Such a large castle and you can walk around the top! Great views all around the castle. A beautiful little church to see and a museum too. Lots of history to learn about. One of the biggest in tact castles I’ve visited. Cafe and gift shop here. Worth a visit and I’ll definitely be back once it’s fully open.

Caroline B — Google review

I've been before, this time I came as part of a school trip. Due to high winds we could not walk the castle walls. However, this is still a fabulous place to visit a d swot up on local history. Great little garden and stunning views.

Smurfie L — Google review

Great visit! lots of stuff to do and a lot of interesting information boards around so you know what your looking at. There is a cafe but it isn’t easy to find a table there. Big free car park. Slightly hard to find because the road signs aren’t great but a satnav can definitely get you there.

Alex M — Google review

Amazing place. So much to look around. Lots of History. Just make sure you go to the toilet before hand as there is only 1 toilet which is a joke.. Car park is walking distance and its pay & display (£3) unless your an English Heritage member then its Free...

TT — Google review

Must be one of the best English Heritage places to visit. Good info boards. A great cafe. Great welcoming staff and volunteers. A great morning visit with the family. Well recommended.Car parking is good. One can get one car park ticket at reception.

Keith A — Google review

Awesome ruins. The castle itself isn't huge but the grounds are sprawling and full of things to see. Loads of information boards, donkeys, videos. It is possible to whizz around in an hour, but if the weather is good take a picnic and a football and spend 4+ hours here. Parking is ample, free to members. Cafe, gift shop. Definitely recommended.

Garf — Google review

This was a first for me, and it did not disappoint. The price wasn't too bad either. It was a good mix of ruins and complete buildings. Great views from the battlements. Could have done with an audio tour. Really pleased that there was good access to the majority of the castle, unlike some places visited. Not too sure about the donkeys.

Trevor W — Google review

This went way beyond my expectations.The buildings were interesting especially the Chapel and main house.The working well was well presented with a demonstration of its workings from one of the donkeys.It was great to be able to walk around the walls and the views were across the island.I really didn't expect such a comprehensive exhibition in the museum on both the history of the castle and the social history of the island.The cafe wad pretty good to.

Ian M — Google review

Historically interesting castle right in the centre of the Isle of Wight. 360 deg views. Ancient ramparts, very interesting museum, warm coffee shop. Quite a few stone steps up to the keep and castle walls.

Emma S — Google review

Absolutely fantastic place to visit! On a rainy day we came here and luckily it cleared up a bit and we had an amazing time with the family and children with us. They have lots to see, a cafe, a museum inside, and the highlight for us was the donkey demonstration with the well! Please go and visit if you get the chance, we spent a good 4 hours here including having lunch and seeing the whole castle. Well worth it!!

Dani D — Google review

We visited Carisbrooke during our staycation. We were greeted by a lovely lady at the door, she was super friendly and explained the benefits of joining English Heritage. The castle has a lovely shop with plenty of things to peruse at. Once in the venue, their is multiple ways to head, round either side of the castle, or straight up into the castle. They even had Donkeys there, which my other half loved! Their names all begin with J because King James was imprisoned there (least that's what I think I can remember!) Every staff member we saw was super friendly and helpful. At the end of it we picked up a lovely tea towel and a magnet for our collection, and we donated towards the Donkeys and got a pin to go onto our wall. We even joined the EH after we realised after visiting here and Osbourne that we nearly spent the same amount as a yearly membership.

Jake P — Google review

Excellent example of an old castle. Loved the donkeys. Went in the rain and still had a good time. Make sure you have good shoes. Uneven stones and narrow stairs are all over. Can't beat the views.

Cozzy C — Google review

I really enjoyed my visit to Carisbrooke Castle. It was in winter, the wind was hollowing along the ramparts and one can just imagine what it would have felt like to walked them. I love the old castles, reading the history and imagining life in bygone days. Wonderful site to visit and the English Heritage staff on site were magic.

Stephen G — Google review

What a wonderful place to explore. There is so much space to go and wander around. The views are just magnificent, and it's so well preserved. Lots of information and steeped in history. I'd definitely recommend a visit.Lots of steps to get up to the top though, so have to be fairly able-bodied.

Kelly E — Google review

Castle was really quiet during our visit, not overrun with tourists like some. Not a lot within the castle grounds, but nice wall walk, a keep you can go to the top of, and a nice small chapel.

Randy — Google review

We loved it, despite visiting on a rainy summers day. The well was a real highlight although sadly the donkeys were having a vet day.The cafe was small but nice.We enjoyed the museum, especially with the addition of the children's quiz.

Susan H — Google review

Amazing castle! Visited as a child but had forgotten what an amazing fortress this place must have been. Great walks around the walls and also up to the top of the round tower. Interesting museum with lots of exhibits and information about the castle and the royal connections and protection. The wheel on the well was fun although the donkey was adamant that he wasn’t coming out to work so the guide ended up being the donkey instead, fun and informative for all. Beautiful garden also within the walls. Plenty of walks through and around the castle. Highly recommend for all the family.

Karen B — Google review

This medieval motte-and-bailey castle is well worth a visit. King Charles I was imprisoned here for 14 months, following the English Civil War, prior to his execution in 1649. Queen Victoria's youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, became governor of the Isle of Wight and took up residence in the castle in 1913. The castle is now famous for its resident donkeys who work the 16thC tread wheel to raise water the 49 metres from the bottom of the castle well!

Chris K — Google review

We’ve visited Carisbrooke castle as a family during a jousting event that they held. It was very interesting and very interactive. There was a lot to see and learn. We tend to only visit when they have special events on, as the normal days it is open, it can be quite boring because there isn’t as much to see. We are planning to go to their next jousting event 😊

Lei H — Google review

A really lovely place to visit! And good value for money. We enjoyed walking around the castle walls, seeing the well looked after donkeys and exploring the castle grounds

Sophie K — Google review

Well worth a visit if you find yourself in the Isle of Wight. There is a small Donkey Sanctuary inside the grounds. Small chapel and walled garden as well as remnants of the original castle. You can walk along the old castle walls, as well as walk around the outside perimeter.

Charlotte T — Google review

One of the most beautiful castles I've ever gone too. The museum and remains of the ancient building are just so beautiful to explore. The small chapel is also beautiful. You can also stand exactly where King Charles I was imprisoned. The view from the bailey is also beautiful as it's several hundred metres in the air. You can get a lovely view of Newport.

Joshua Y — Google review

Well managed English Heritage property. Helpful staff. Really cool to see the donkeys working the waterwheel (2 min demonstration). Lots to look at. Amazing views from the walls. Nice cafe with plenty of outside tables. Old museum interesting if the Charles I relics are a bit odd!

Anne-Marie T — Google review

Lovely staff, great castle full of things to do for a few hours.The staff are friendly, we enjoyed our visit. Thank you 😊

Tamsin — Google review

This place has fantastic views with a small but very insightful museum within the grounds which the children fully enjoyed learning all the history of the castle itself and also of the local area. It also has a lovely tea room with friendly staff.

Carly P — Google review

A quaint place with stunning views of the countryside.There's a tea room and an abbey inside the castle.Don't miss the donkey demonstrations.Have to spend at least 2-3 hours at this place.Things to do - walk along the castle walls, Museum and Abbeys.Pre-booking is available and tickets are for all day.

Pavana K — Google review

The castle is really worth a visit and please watch the film that will tell you about the history of the castle before you begin to explore. Don't forget the museum or to visit the donkeys. People with mobility issues might struggle to reach the very top of the castle because the stairs are steep. The views from the ramparts are really worth the effort.

Ian C — Google review

Great day out with the family of wife and 3 girls learning about the history of the castle. Particular highlights included seeing the donkeys and the working well being drawn by one of the donkeys, visiting the keep and walking the walls for the views both inside and outside the castle and the museum with a great deal of historical artifacts telling the history of the castle and it's many VIP occupants over the years. Well worth a visit. Highly recommended.

Graham R — Google review

There is so much to see here, a water mill, museum, final escape place and nice scenery from the peak points of the castle.I highly recommend getting English heritage membership to make the visit cheaper if you are family and that will cover many other historical places in England. You can use the membership to see Osborne house too. There is a nice tea room also available for refreshments...Lastly, all the staff are really nice people and helpful.

Zuhair K — Google review

Very helpful friendly staff. We bought the English Heritage Pass and this was our first stop. It was raining so didn’t climb up on the wall to walk around but it didn’t stop the younger ones! So much history! A wonderful experience. Very nice gift store too.

Alleta B — Google review

What a wonderful place, loads of history, we spent 3 hours exploring the place, lovely coffee shop, you can get food,drinks and cream teas. We had a pinic in the grounds with our own food, just got drinks and cakes from the shop.The donkeys are well looked after and play a great role, definitely worth a visit, and the price is very reasonable.

Sharon J — Google review

We found the story of Carisbrook really interesting and was well presented by English Heritage and appealed to both children and adults.The selection in the cafe was reasonable and they made fresh sandwiches for my son who is allergic to dairy, and we're very conscious of a host of allergies.Would definitely recommend as the castle has been really well preserved and you are able to walk around much of the perimeter wall with some amazing views.

James R — Google review

Big carpark ,lots to see, lovely walk round on the battlements round of castle wall. Lovely museum. See the donkey on the wheel. Lifting the water up, looking at the chainmail in the cabinets and the crossbow in the beautiful pictures on the walls . Great shop and lovely afternoon

Harry F — Google review

Please get the English heritage family card which costs £120 per year. It is a good deal as it entitles you & family full visit at any time of the year for a no of attractions.As for castle it is well maintained. You can roam around & get nice view from the top.

Sunil S — Google review

Well worth the visit, interesting history combined with some physical exercise, lovely views and architecture and peaceful corners for coffee and ice creams - even speaks to teenagers who get ‘castled out’ quickly.One request to English Heritage though - we are a family of cyclists and are often disappointed with the provision of facilities.Lockers would be awesome - Lugging heavy panniers with us is difficult so one person needs to sit in the coffee shop with the luggage whilst others tour the sights.Cycle parking racks would be welcoming, we always find fences etc to lock the bikes onto but do need to carry an extra lock in case locking onto a fence cannot secure both frames and front wheels.Drinking water is essential so a tap for refilling our bottles would be lovely - most properties do this on request but if there was a visible tap available for everyone, it might encourage others to ditch the plastic as well.

Lilli H — Google review

Carisbrooke Castle is fantastic, the ramparts are intact meaning you can walk around the entire castle walls. The views from the top of the gatehouse, ramparts and keep are beautiful, you can see rolling chalk downland, the Solent, and even the New Forest. We spent over an hour here, well worth a visit.

Mitch C — Google review

This is a very worthy castle to go because you can get up to the keep wall for a spectacular view if the Isle of Wight. This castle has connections to royal history. You get immersive experience of the history as you read through the signs and exhibits.

Joseph N — Google review

It was a drizzly day. Highly recommend wearing flat, sturdy and comfortable shoes. There are some steep steps which can be slippery in wet weather. We walked around the perimeter of the castle first, and took photos, quite a bit of countryside can be seen. Then we went to see the Donkeys but they were not there on the day we went. I could have sworn years ago there was a working water mill but we didn't see it this time. We went into the museum. The modern social history section on the upper floor was very interesting. It's a beautiful construction developed over the centuries. The chapel is nice. There are some picnic spaces available on the grounds when the weather is nice. Parking is free for English Heritage members, if you display the badge in the window.

Clare A — Google review

Decent set of ruins to explore. You can walk most if the wall and the keep.If you're paying £15.00 to go in I think it's a bit off to also charge you to park.

David P — Google review

Very enjoyable few hours spent walking around the grounds and along the walls. Lots of steps but well worth the effort and the views over the castle and surrounding countryside are amazing

Janice S — Google review

Lots to see, Love being able to walk around the grounds/wall. Had gardens to walk round although small but plants well labelled so i could let grandson know what they are. He also liked the donkeys.

Sarah S — Google review

This castle has plenty to see. Although inside the castle walls, a lot of the original rooms are demolished, the church, although it had been rebuilt within the last 100 years, is well preserved. The museum has some interesting artefacts and information. You can walk the entire perimeter of the church walls too, the views from certain points on the walk are amazing. There is a donkey stable and gardens round the back and also a small cafe. Well worth a visit

Joe P — Google review

28

Osborne House

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Bus stop

Sights & Landmarks

Historic Sites

Osborne House, a former summer retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, is a stunning estate with beautiful gardens that are open to the public. The house is filled with art objects and souvenirs from around the world, offering a glimpse into royal family life. Visitors can also enjoy the breathtaking views of the famous chalk Needles and Trinity Lighthouse in the west. Additionally, sailing enthusiasts can experience the thrill of watching the annual Round the Island Race in September.

This is a great place to visit. It feels expensive when you buy the tickets, but it’s not!Buy online before you go to save, or join English heritage.So much to see and do, particularly if the weather is good.Highly recommend a visit.

JAMES G — Google review

Ollie R — Google review

Such a beautiful place to go. With lots of history and beautiful scenery. The staff are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.This is highly recommended if you visit the Isle of Wight.

Chris P — Google review

Lizzy R — Google review

Wonderful summer holiday home for Victoria & Albert and their family. Gorgeous house filled with collected art objects, souvenirs and tributes from around the world. The grounds are beautiful and it's clear the royal family enjoyed Osborne House where they could relax and be themselves.

Kevin L — Google review

Worth a visit if you are in the area. Covid secure. Great staff very informative and amazing scenery. Gardens outside are really nice too.

Kully T — Google review

Wonderful

Michael F — Google review

5.0

(8)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (187)

4.5

(6119)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (188)

East Cowes, PO32 6JT, United Kingdom

29

Milestones Museum

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Museum

Heritage museum

Milestones Museum is an interactive undercover family attraction that recreates street scenes with vehicles, shops and homes. The museum offers an annual pass for a reasonable entry fee of 16 pounds. The facility has plenty to offer for children and adults alike, including games, a living museum display, a working pub with regulars and a sweet shop where one can purchase sweets using a ration card. Visitors can also enjoy the nice little cafe on-site.

Went to Milestones with the family, including 2 children and 4 adults during half term.What an amazing place.We paid £16 each for entry but it gives you an annual pass for a year.There was plenty for the children to do, and they had put on lots of games that kept the two kids occupied for 5 hours.The adults in the group also enjoyed the games but got chance to actually look at the living museum too.One thing everyone loves and is a nice addition is the sweet shop, buy a ration card and then you can use it to get some sweeties.It has a working pub (with regulars too) and a nice little cafe.We'll be going back soon in term time just with the wife to explore the museum.

Ashleigh C — Google review

Great place to spend time in , it's under cover so you don't have to worry about the weather. Well set out and great for all ages. The cafe does a good Verity of snacks or meals.

William M — Google review

Fantastic place! Spent a very enjoyable 4 hours here, with loads to see and find out. The kids loved stepping back in time and going in and out of each shop.The cafe is a great place for lunch or tea and cake, with a lot to choose from. You can take your own picnic to eat outside if you prefer. Plus, there are free audio guides that are helpful to tell you more about each shop.Free parking and a year-long ticket are extra bonuses. We will definitely be back, as we didn't get to fit everything in in one 4 hour visit.

Gemma B — Google review

I'm probably being harsh giving 3 stars since I did enjoy my visit, however, everything was not quite so interactive for kids 2-8 as the website had seemingly implied. Especially as there was only one bus which you were allowed to get on while the website video seemed to advertise more, my two year old was dying to get on everything! I definitely think there is a missed opportunity to make things more interactive and kid friendly, and/or provide a bigger kids play space as the area next to the cafe was tiny (it was closed on my visit as well!). Parents would be visiting in troves to entertain the kids on rainy days if there was some tweaks to various equipment/vehicles and displays. Overall, enjoyable day out but some improvements could be made.

Gary B — Google review

A lovely day out with the kids. A very relaxed environment with lots of parking on arrival. The place has lots of activities and is well-sign posted. Great arcades section - but do go armed with 50p coins as they will be needed, if you want to avoid using card payments. The older retro games require card payment via onsite money converter.There is a decent cafe on the ground floor with a reasonable selection of warm/cold food and a good selection of drinks.The nostalgic bar is pretty cool which serves real old Skool ales!!Well worth a visit and there are a number of places to eat close by if the cafe doesn’t suit.

Vikash G — Google review

This visit took me right back to my childhood. What memories and what a place to visit. I absolutely loved it. Highly recommended.

Roslyn H — Google review

We went to Milestones on the 12th July 2024, which was my birthday treat. I have wanted to go for years, and I can say we were not disappointed. We had a lovely cooked meal in the cafe, which was reasonably priced, and piping hot. Everything is well laid out, and there is so much to see, and it definitely took us down memory lane. There's a penny arcade, and you can get some old pennies out of the machines to play on them. I brought 3 different types of sweets from the old fashion sweet shop, which were weighed out and put in paper bags just like we used to buy them. There's an old-fashioned pub you can buy a drink in, we didn't go in there. There's a lift and a well kitted out disabled toilet. I can highly recommend Milestones Museum. It won't disappoint, we will definitely be going there again.

Jennifer N — Google review

Lovely heritage museum. Lots to see and enjoy. Allow 2 to 4 hours for your visit depending upon how much you want to dwell and reminisce. Especially if you use the free Audio Guides - we spent 4 hours and skipped some of the Audio Guide sections. Don't miss the sweet shop that sells old style sweets or the pub for a pint, which opens at lunchtime. There's a nice café over looking the museum streets. It does hot lunches as well as tea, coffee and cakes. Also there's a well stocked gift shop - good for old fashioned gifts. All good. 😎 👍

Mark P — Google review

A wonderful trip back in time! This museum is well designed and takes you through the local history in a very atmospheric way.It really comes alive with its victirian streets, trades, and shops. You get to buy a "ration card" when you enter (£1.85) and use it to buy 2oz of sweets in the little sweet shop.It is a really interactive way for children to get to understand the changing periods of times and how they affected people living then.Nice little coffee shop with limited hot food, and snacks. Also, a fascinating gift shop selling all kinds of associated memorabilia from postcards to toys and old fashioned games and sweets.The only thing that was unexpected was that purchases made had the price, then vat was added separately on the receipt!Overall, fully recommended and much to learn about here.

Rose B — Google review

A really lovely place to visit. The attention to details was amazing, they even made sure there were authentic smells in each area - for example, a place that had a fireplace, smelled like fire and coal, and a place that was to do with laundry, smelled of detergent. We even managed to get some sweets by presenting a ration book to the shop! We had loads of fun that day.

I P — Google review

Fabulous day out. Was so lovely to walk the cobbled streets and look at the old transport and emergency vehicles etc. Lots of things to look at and we really enjoyed playing the old arcade games with real old one penny’s. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable and welcoming. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will be back for sure ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lee D — Google review

Was a great day out for all ages. Really loved it. Makes it even better when u can come back for a year. Amazing thanks for a great day out x

Louise S — Google review

What a fabulous hidden gem this place is! I definitely went back in time, so much to see, a great café and pub and so much history to learn about! We had an amazing day and will definitely visit again.

Debbie N — Google review

What a delightful few hours wandering around this amazing place. On entering the doors, you are taking a step back in time. The sounds and smells of an old town setup transports you back in time. Take time to visit every building where your memories come back to life. Remember to visit the old tavern where staff play the old piano whilst enjoying a drink. Visit the old classroom joining in with songs from your childhood, buying old-fashioned sweets in the sweet shop. Be prepared not to rush and take your time exploring the fire station, old railway station, the old fashioned pier where you can buy pennies and play games. Exploring every inch whilst having a fabulous day out. The resteraunt offers delicious meals and is reasonably priced. Children's menu also available.

Jacqui S — Google review

Superb place to visit over and over again. The Penny Arcade machines and 80s arcade machines are really fun to play. Don't forget to get your ration off sweets from the shop. One payment gives a yearly pass. Recommend for toddlers up to pensioners.

Steve S — Google review

A good half a day reminiscing about the past. Nice cafe to round it off. All the employees were welcoming and friendly. Good all-round family entertainment.

Mark — Google review

A charming museum.I've visited several times, usually attending the Cobbles and Cogs Steampunk Weekends.The way of presenting exhibits as if in old style shops, workshops, and in the form of a street is quite creative.

SatyrOfBrighton — Google review

Fascinating insight into late 19th and early 20th century history.The collection of vehicles and recreated shops bring that history to life.Plenty to appeal to all ages. Entrance fee is a little high but still good value. It also allows return visits for a year.

Ian A — Google review

Great place to while away a few hours. It was interesting viewing the old shops and exhibits, and you can play on the machines on the pier - have to change your money for old pennies. Brought back memories from my early life.Well worth a visit.

David S — Google review

Wonderful place for all the family. We took people aged 86, 66, 38, 9 and 4, and we all enjoyed it. There is a pub inside too! Toilets very clean. Several places to eat. Sweet shop. The kids can run around and enjoy so much! Loved it!

Natalie J — Google review

Staff were very friendly and helpful. The museum itself is good, not excellent. There's lift access for wheelchairs. The car park isn't big but then again nor is the museum. There are lots of little activities/games for children but some of these activities are in the smallest of areas where the public would have to squeeze round the outside single file in one direction to look and read the exhibits displayed, just move it out a little. There is an old pub there which does sell alcohol and kids can get a ration of sweets (if you pay for it with the ticket) which is good. The cafe and shop are what you expect with some food and items overpriced as we all know will be. Overall I would say it is worth the ticket price and going especially for smaller children and maybe some of the elderly (be warned it is cobblestone flooring so if you/they are unsteady make sure you/they take extra care).

Steffan — Google review

Fun place to visit for both Kids and Adults, especially on a rainy day.Nice history and great activities for the kids.Nice little cafe for lunch.

Andrew T — Google review

Nice place for young families to go. We arrived at 10:30am and it wasn’t busy, but we needed to use the overflow carpark. Bought the tickets at entrance, only waited a few minutes.We spent maybe under two hours in the museum and had lunch after. The kids (4 and 2) enjoyed it but not many vehicles they can touch or sit on, only the bus (downstairs) and the fire engine (which was out of order).The cafe was nice, plenty of tables and options to choose from. I believe the tickets last a year so we will definitely come back.

Tommy T — Google review

We had a great day in the half term. The kids LOVED the teddy bear hunt and it's great that you can go back for free for an entire year!

Katrina W — Google review

Very nice museum, plenty to see for the elderly and beautiful exhibits. Ground floor is where the displays are and 1st floor is learning.Top floor theres a nice cafe for a coffee tea & cake. Small shop with plenty of souvenirs and there's an outside covered area for a picnic or just a breath of fresh air. Spent a couple of hours here and had a lovely time with our Dementia Care Home. Gave it 4 stars as we thought there could be a lot more exhibits, but we did like the place a lot and will be back again soon.

Kizzy A — Google review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Visiting the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke was truly a journey through time that exceeded all expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the meticulous attention to detail in every corner of this remarkable museum. Walking through the recreated streets felt like stepping back in time to the bustling Victorian era, with authentic shops, houses, and even a pub that truly brought history to life.One of the highlights of our visit was exploring the interactive exhibits, which offered hands-on experiences that were both educational and entertaining. From trying our hand at traditional crafts to learning about the evolution of transportation through vintage cars and trains, there was something fascinating to discover at every turn.What truly sets Milestones Museum apart is the passion and dedication of the staff. Their enthusiasm for history was infectious, and they were more than happy to share their knowledge and stories with us, enhancing our overall experience.Whether you're a history enthusiast, a family looking for a fun day out, or simply curious about the past, I cannot recommend Milestones Museum highly enough. It's a hidden gem in Basingstoke that deserves to be celebrated for its immersive and engaging approach to preserving local history. A five-star experience that left us eager to return and explore even more!

Lee — Google review

Came here today for the first time. I'd never even heard of this museum until I saw an advert pop up on my Facebook page!So glad we visited, it's really interesting and well laid out and good ticket prices too as you can use it for 12 months.

BETTYBOOP — Google review

Really good. Brilliant for disabled access. It took our old couple back down memory lane. It's nice to see some things from the 70s/80s too

R P — Google review

4.6

(3014)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (193)

4.5

(1485)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (194)

Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke RG22 6PG, United Kingdom

+44 1256 639550

30

Reading

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (195)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (196)

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (197)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (198)

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Transit station

Sights & Landmarks

The train station at Reading has undergone a significant transformation and is now a modern, futuristic hub with spacious platforms, numerous escalators, vigilant security personnel and ubiquitous staff. The station is impeccably clean and tidy with multiple options for food and drink available in the vicinity. It serves as a major transportation junction with reputable companies such as GWR and Cross Country operating from here. Additionally, there is a shopping center located nearby which can be accessed easily via the station.

Been at this station after long time. It’s totally changed in new modern futuristic style station. Wide long platforms, escalators security, staff everywhere. Clean n tidy station. Many eating n drinking places around. Train service is good. Even many major companies r serving this station include GWR, Cross Country etc. shopping centre not far from station. I had a good service from this station.

Win T — Google review

Massive station, easy to navigate and trains running at least every 5 minuets to the London terminals. Free WiFi, toilets and waiting rooms. Trains also go to Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester, Worcester, Plymouth, Manchester, Southampton and Bournemouth. Saw my first Elizabeth line train here

Hungry P — Google review

One of the biggest and busiest railway stations in the UK outside of London, it serves as a major junction for services between London, the West Country, South Wales, and the North.The station is has multiple entrances and exits with lifts, and escalators to all platforms, not to mention, most of times one or the other lifts will be out of order and very crowded during peak hours. There are real-time train information available downstairs and upstairs. The trains from here generally don't get delayed but gets cancelled all the time, so check before you travel.There are variety of shops, cafes, and waiting areas(in every platforms). The station also has a large ticket hall with automated machines, making purchasing or collecting tickets quick and straightforward. Additionally, there are restrooms and baby-changing facilities.Thee station's is modern and spacious. The staffs are very helpful in case you need assistance. Clean restrooms and pathways. There is also information centres in both the levels.

Jyoti M — Google review

Lovely train station and the toilets are regularly open,free WiFi, play area, refreshments. I recommend this for trainspotting like i did. Best train station ever!

Hannah L — Google review

Reading train station is a well-maintained and modern transportation hub, with clear signage and easy navigation. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the facilities are clean and well-maintained. The station offers a range of amenities, including food and drink options, shops, and comfortable waiting areas.One of the highlights of Reading train station is its vibrant atmosphere. With trains arriving and departing regularly, there's always a sense of energy and movement. You can grab a coffee or snack and watch the world go by, or simply enjoy the hustle and bustle of the station.Whether you're a daily commuter or just passing through, Reading train station is a great place to spend some time. It's a hub of activity, a place to connect with others, and a spot to relax and unwind.

Enoch O — Google review

A great station with a large number of platforms. There are a number of cafes and food shops on both sides of the barriers and a wide range of destinations can be reached from this station.

Matthew H — Google review

I just wanted to thank the station manager Alan and his team for helping us out on Saturday night. Our train from paddington was delayed which meant we missed our onward connection to Newbury .. he kindly arranged for a taxi to take us there and while we waited we had a security man to assist us .. we were very impressed with the service.. I hope that Alan and his team see this message

Claire C — Google review

Great station and easy to navigate. Would be great if they had phone charging points or equipped their staff with a few chargers in case of emergencies. I was nearly stuck with no way out of the station on my inbound since my phone battery died which my ticket was on. My fault though, but the staff told me the only option was to buy another ticket and refund. Luckily the kind lady at the pumpkin cafe could help me charge for a minute or 2.

Bhavik — Google review

Modern, clean and well organized railway station at a very central location. The station itself is ample and easy to navigate. The architecture is amazing! You can ask for help the staff are are really knowledgable and very helpful

Oohlalalisa — Google review

In Berkshire's embrace, Reading Rail Station stands, a nexus of journeys old and new. It's a quite big station. Its Victorian splendour whispers tales of bustling crowds and steam locomotives, and echoes of history dance along its platforms, where time's rhythm pulses ever true.Here, travelers' dreams take flight on wings of steel, bound for destinations far and wide,Amidst the rush and hush, a timeless elegance adorns this gateway to adventure untold.In Reading's heart, the station's grand facade invites all to embark on journeys bold.🎶Reading Rail Station,In Berkshire it stands,Whispers of the past,And futures in hand.Trains come and go,Dreams take flight,In this timeless place,Where journeys unite.🎶

Abdullah R — Google review

It is a great railway, station nice and clean, fully step free between platfomr and street via lifts to the overbridge. It gets train services from Cross County, Elizabeth Line, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway.

Joshua R — Google review

Reading train station is a large station with a lot of facilities, shops, fast food outlets, toilets, etc. but also it's open and cavernous, so it can feel very cold in winter. Particularly if you end up stranded here through a combination of rail strikes and line damage as I did.

Nick M — Google review

This is a massive station, it is well kept and always clean.The trains are very frequent and you can go almost anywhere which is helped by the Elizabeth Line.Staff Information boards are on each platform which can be helpful to see where on the line your train is. If there is a train on a platform there are almost certainly a member of staff who will help and in my experience they have always been very friendly.If you are hungry there are shops on the overpass which can be good for a quick breakfast on the way to work.When there was a fire at Maidenhead station and the station was hectic (understandable) the station staff were out in force at the information points keeping passengers updated.

Oliver M — Google review

The guy checking the tickets on the long term parking side exit of the station today 18:30 is really rude. Please hire decent people or train people to be polite and sociable. The train was 1h30m late. Let’s make the environment at least decent. Thank you

Fabio L — Google review

We changed our journey here to reach our final destination. Reading Station is a nice station with good shops and overall cleanliness. However, it is quite busy. The signs were clear and easy to follow.

Doc I — Google review

Beautiful and clean train station with proper direction and information about trains.

Rizwan A — Google review

Stopped here a few times for connecting trains and really liked this station. It’s not too crowded, could always find a staff member to ask questions and they were very helpful. The station also have plenty of toilets and the one I went to was clean. Lots of food outlets as well, and none of them crowded, easy to get food for the road without having to line up for ages. Starbucks coffee staff were also very friendly, and the tables were clean, which can be unusual on a train station, while I was having my coffee waiting for train connection, I noticed the staff always kept the tables clean, removing the rubbish and wiping everything. Always happy to stop here for connections.

Shailla Q — Google review

The station is massive and well maintained with many connecting trains to nearby cities through The Elizabeth line and GWR lines.Clean and tidy station with lots of shops inside, toilets well maintained, charging points, helpdesk etc.

VINOD J — Google review

Just a review to recognise Simon (working for Great Western Railway) who was working gateline today! I passed through at approximately 12pm, and he looked very smart, friendly and was dealing very well with the rush (for Reading festival, I’d assume). Keep it up Simon!

Ash K — Google review

Very modern and decent station, been using it for 6/7 years. However a couple of the toilets/waiting areas were re-converted to little shops or coffee places over last few years... Shops are quite expensive tbh.

Carswift — Google review

Never underestimate how big this place is and how long it can take to get from one platfrom to another.Plenty of snack / drink places (on all platforms if I'm not mistaken) as well as a small WH Smith, Boots etc.Lifts and escalator access to all platforms.Centrally located in Reading.

Daniel E — Google review

Great city with most beautiful views . Lobe it

Azmat A — Google review

As a train station, what is there to say? It has trains, it has tracks, it's very big. Sadly the main concourse is deliquescent -- mostly empty storefronts, though I will say that the whole area is kept fairly clean.

Thomas M — Google review

Large train station with all the amenities you would expect. Loads of shops both in and out of the barriers. Leave plenty of time as there is alot of platforms and some are located a fair walk away. Please remember that for changing trains aswell.

Ish — Google review

4.1

(833)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (200)

4.0

(737)40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (201)

Station Rd, Reading, RG1 1LZ, United Kingdom

40 Best Stops Between Trowbridge and Winchester (2024)

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