Wantage is a good base for days out in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. The historic houses, gardens, museums and family attractions below are all between half an hour and an hour’s drive away. For places closer to home, see visit Wantage and Grove and the countryside around Wantage.
Ashdown House
This Dutch-style 17th century house is located near Upper Lambourn on the B4000. It perches on the Berkshire Downs and is famous for its close links with Charles I’s sister, Elizabeth of Bohemia.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashdown-house
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is set in about 2,000 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown.
The magnificent Palace is a unique example of English Baroque architecture and is surrounded by sweeping lawns, award-winning formal gardens and the great lake.
Inside, the scale of the Palace is beautifully balanced by the intricate detail and delicacy of the carvings, the hand painted ceilings and the amazing porcelain collections, tapestries and paintings displayed in each room.
Situated in Woodstock, just 8 miles from Oxford, the Palace was created a World Heritage site in 1987.
www.blenheimpalace.com
Buscot Park
Situated north-west of Faringdon near Buscot village, this neo-classical house (built between 1779 and 1783) is set in parkland and contains fine paintings and furniture of the Faringdon Collection Trust. Licensed tea room and picnic area.
www.buscot-park.com
Didcot Railway Centre
Unique collection of steam engines, coaches, wagons, buildings and small relics.
www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Faringdon Folly Tower and woodland
This unique unusual 100ft Tower is Faringdon’s icon and the last major folly to be built in England. It sits on Folly Hill, within a charming circular 4 acre woodland of splendid Scots Pine and broadleaf trees, some more than 200 years old.
Check out the fantastic views over 5 counties and find out about the history of Folly Hill, Henry James Pye (of Sing a Song of Sixpence fame), Oliver Cromwell and the very eccentric Lord Berners (the creator of the tower).
Seek out the 24 black birds and giant willow pie, Cromwell’s cannon, the fairly useless bridge, Lord Berners in a tree! and a variety of birds and animal sculptures lurking among the trees. You might even see a troll, but, ‘please do not feed the giraffes’. ( Find the full list in Things to do on the Folly website)
The tower opens on selected days in the summer; check the Folly website for dates.
10 minutes walk from Faringdon’s historic market place where refreshments are available, and 2 hours free parking.
The woodland is always open and entry is free.
Book a private opening, for your party or celebration.
www.faringdonfolly.org.uk
Great Coxwell Barn
Built around 1300, the Great Coxwell Barn is a remnant of the Cistercian Grange of Coxwell. William Morris loved this agricultural cathedral, calling it the finest piece of architecture in England.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/great-coxwell-barn
Kelmscott Manor
This Grade I listed Tudor farmhouse near the River Thames was built around 1570. William Morris chose it as his summer house.
kelmscottmanor.org.uk
Kingston Bagpuize House and gardens
17th century manor house set in mature parkland in the village of Kingston Bagpuize. The gardens contain a notable collection of plants, a woodland garden and an early Georgian gazebo.
Open on selected days: kbhevents.uk
Millets Farm Centre
Millets Farm Centre is not a historic site, but is a great place to visit for a family visit. It has an extensive range of facilities including a farm shop, garden centre, cafe, craft centre and restaurant.
www.milletsfarmcentre.com
Milton Manor House
In the village of Milton, east of Wantage, this beautiful Grade 1 listed family home, was built in 1663 with wings and outbuildings added in 1772. Strawberry Hill Gothick library and chapel. It is a private family home that opens to visitors for a few weeks each year; check the website for dates.
www.miltonmanorhouse.com
Pendon Museum
Pendon Museum was founded in 1954 and preserves the idyllic rural scene and transport of the 1920s and 1930s in a miniature form.
There is much to see, from the pioneering Madder Valley railway, through Pendon’s first complete model, the Dartmoor Scene, to the breathtaking Vale Scene that is fulfilling the original dream.
www.pendonmuseum.com
Priory Cottages, Steventon
Former monastic buildings, now converted into houses and part of the National Trust. The south cottage contains the Great Hall of the original Priory.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/priory-cottages
Tom Brown’s School Museum
Located in the village of Uffington, west of Wantage, the museum details the life and works of Thomas Hughes, author of “Tom Brown’s Schooldays” together with other historical material from the area including poet laureate Sir John Betjeman and his poetry.
www.uffingtonmuseum.co.uk