City/town information
Faringdon is an eccentric historic market town that lies at the edge of the Cotswolds midway between Oxford and Swindon. It makes a great base for a short break in the Vale of White Horse and Cotswolds. With easy access to many attractions, including the Ridgeway, White Horse Hill, Buscot Park, Thames walks and boat trips. With the dreaming spires of Oxford just only 30 minutes away, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained!
Known for its 100ft Folly Tower, the last major folly to be built in England. It sits close to the centre of the town centre on Folly Hill and offers fine views across 5 counties. Built by Lord Berners who lived at the 18th century Faringdon House. Whilst up there, seek out the 24 sing a 'song of sixpence' black birds, Cromwell’s cannon, the giraffe in a tree, the wooden field mouse, buzzard… and more. The tower itself is open to visitors on 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, for a small fee. “The great point of the Tower is that it will be entirely useless” Lord Berners’ response when asked by the planning subcommittee what exactly was the point of the Tower! We love walking up to The Folly.
The eccentric Lord Berners had great impact on the town! Lord Berners lived in Faringdon House for 20 years, he was known for his lavish parties, leaving curious signs around the town, driving around in a pig’s head mask to scare locals and dyeing pigeons in vibrant colours using a harmless form of vegetable dye. You will notice colourful pigeons on the entrances to many properties around the town… keep an eye out.
16 locals recommend
Faringdon
Faringdon is an eccentric historic market town that lies at the edge of the Cotswolds midway between Oxford and Swindon. It makes a great base for a short break in the Vale of White Horse and Cotswolds. With easy access to many attractions, including the Ridgeway, White Horse Hill, Buscot Park, Thames walks and boat trips. With the dreaming spires of Oxford just only 30 minutes away, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained!
Known for its 100ft Folly Tower, the last major folly to be built in England. It sits close to the centre of the town centre on Folly Hill and offers fine views across 5 counties. Built by Lord Berners who lived at the 18th century Faringdon House. Whilst up there, seek out the 24 sing a 'song of sixpence' black birds, Cromwell’s cannon, the giraffe in a tree, the wooden field mouse, buzzard… and more. The tower itself is open to visitors on 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, for a small fee. “The great point of the Tower is that it will be entirely useless” Lord Berners’ response when asked by the planning subcommittee what exactly was the point of the Tower! We love walking up to The Folly.
The eccentric Lord Berners had great impact on the town! Lord Berners lived in Faringdon House for 20 years, he was known for his lavish parties, leaving curious signs around the town, driving around in a pig’s head mask to scare locals and dyeing pigeons in vibrant colours using a harmless form of vegetable dye. You will notice colourful pigeons on the entrances to many properties around the town… keep an eye out.
Farm shop, PYO, garden centre - they've got it all!
Millets Farm is about 20-minute drive up the A420 and a great outing, especially with kids. There’s a pick your own area, a lovely farm shop, restaurant, and lots of outdoor space to walk around. During summer months they also have a Maize Maze!
Sprouts play barn (soft play) is a great space for younger kids
30 locals recommend
Millets Farm Centre
Kingston RoadMillets Farm is about 20-minute drive up the A420 and a great outing, especially with kids. There’s a pick your own area, a lovely farm shop, restaurant, and lots of outdoor space to walk around. During summer months they also have a Maize Maze!
Sprouts play barn (soft play) is a great space for younger kids
Family farm
Roves Farm is a sweet family day out. Meet & feed the animals in Pets Corner, take a tractor ride. Heated indoor play barn or outdoor adventure play
15 locals recommend
Roves Farm
Roves Farm is a sweet family day out. Meet & feed the animals in Pets Corner, take a tractor ride. Heated indoor play barn or outdoor adventure play
A local farm where kids get to see and touch a few farmyard animals, whilst also playing with toy tractors and in hay bales. Simple fun
8 locals recommend
Farmer Gow's
Fernham RoadA local farm where kids get to see and touch a few farmyard animals, whilst also playing with toy tractors and in hay bales. Simple fun
Wildlife zoo
Cotswold Wildlife Park is a pretty 20-minute drive away and a great day out
442 locals recommend
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens
Cotswold Wildlife Park is a pretty 20-minute drive away and a great day out
Food scene
Diddly Squat Farm has been made famous last year by the Amazon series, Clarkson’s Farm. The farm shop is open Thurs-Sun but seems to be getting super popular so best to go early. It’s a nice 35-minute drive
68 locals recommend
Diddly Squat Farm
Diddly Squat Farm has been made famous last year by the Amazon series, Clarkson’s Farm. The farm shop is open Thurs-Sun but seems to be getting super popular so best to go early. It’s a nice 35-minute drive
Sightseeing
Blenheim Palace is a 35-minute drive, they have lots going on throughout the year
657 locals recommend
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a 35-minute drive, they have lots going on throughout the year
Bibury is a charming village about 25 – 30 mins away deep into the Cotswolds, known for its trout fishery and old stone row of cottages (Arlington Row)
197 locals recommend
Bibury
Bibury is a charming village about 25 – 30 mins away deep into the Cotswolds, known for its trout fishery and old stone row of cottages (Arlington Row)
This beautiful city is 25 mins away by car (a little longer by S6 bus, direct from Faringdon). Great architecture, culture, museums and waterways. Oxford has loads to see and do, from punting on the river to shopping in Westgate. Definitely worth a visit!
Oxford is accessible by bus (S6) and takes about 35/40 minutes.
556 locals recommend
Oxford
This beautiful city is 25 mins away by car (a little longer by S6 bus, direct from Faringdon). Great architecture, culture, museums and waterways. Oxford has loads to see and do, from punting on the river to shopping in Westgate. Definitely worth a visit!
Oxford is accessible by bus (S6) and takes about 35/40 minutes.
Cirencester, with its Roman roots and Corinium museum, is beautiful and a lovely little town to walk around
372 locals recommend
Cirencester
Cirencester, with its Roman roots and Corinium museum, is beautiful and a lovely little town to walk around
Our most local National Trust property is Buscot House (about 5-minute drive down Lechlade Road) - The family home of Lord Faringdon. Extensive gardens surround the house. The Faringdon Collection, includes paintings by Rembrandt, Reynolds & Rubens. In fact, the most famous paintings at Buscot Park are the Legend of Briar Rose panels by Edward Burne-Jones.
19 locals recommend
Buscot Park
Our most local National Trust property is Buscot House (about 5-minute drive down Lechlade Road) - The family home of Lord Faringdon. Extensive gardens surround the house. The Faringdon Collection, includes paintings by Rembrandt, Reynolds & Rubens. In fact, the most famous paintings at Buscot Park are the Legend of Briar Rose panels by Edward Burne-Jones.
15 mins away and you'll find the Uffington White Horse atop the hill, which can been seen from the Faringdon Folly. A lovely walk around the National Trust land and along the Ridgeway to Waylands Smithy
78 locals recommend
Uffington White Horse
Dragon Hill Road15 mins away and you'll find the Uffington White Horse atop the hill, which can been seen from the Faringdon Folly. A lovely walk around the National Trust land and along the Ridgeway to Waylands Smithy
A 13th Century stone barn open all year: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/great-coxwell-barn
A lovely walk from here up to Badbury Clump
National Trust - Great Coxwell Barn
The Hollow RoadA 13th Century stone barn open all year: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/great-coxwell-barn
A lovely walk from here up to Badbury Clump
Kelmscott Manor
Visit the former home of William Morris (April - October)
Local town
Highworth itself is worth a wander around on a Saturday morning as their market outshines Faringdon (10-minute drive)
6 locals recommend
Highworth
Highworth itself is worth a wander around on a Saturday morning as their market outshines Faringdon (10-minute drive)
Lechlade is a pretty local town on the banks of The Thames, about 8 minute drive away. It's even got it's open-all-year Christmas shop!
55 locals recommend
Lechlade-on-Thames
Lechlade is a pretty local town on the banks of The Thames, about 8 minute drive away. It's even got it's open-all-year Christmas shop!
Swindon has a rich railway history and an impressive Steam Museum, and McArthur Glen designer outlet village. (although the town itself isn't very grand!). About half an hour on the S6, or 25 minute drive by car
Swindon is on the fast trainline into London Paddington or down to Bath, Bristol and into Wales
13 locals recommend
Swindon
Swindon has a rich railway history and an impressive Steam Museum, and McArthur Glen designer outlet village. (although the town itself isn't very grand!). About half an hour on the S6, or 25 minute drive by car
Swindon is on the fast trainline into London Paddington or down to Bath, Bristol and into Wales