Vanessa's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Take time to visit our neighbouring pretty village of Bampton which was turned into a film set for the series Downton Abbey. Just a mile away from the Hideaway. Churchgate House which was transformed into Isobel Crawley’s home is just one of several locations around Bampton used in filming along with the church next door. Bampton library became the Downton Hospital where Mrs Hughes went for her cancer check-up. Church View is the next must-see in Bampton, as this romantic street lined with stone homes housed two fictional pubs: The Grantham Arms and The Dog and Duck. Church View was also used as a de facto 'strolling street' in the show and the place where Downton held its funfair.
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Bampton
Take time to visit our neighbouring pretty village of Bampton which was turned into a film set for the series Downton Abbey. Just a mile away from the Hideaway. Churchgate House which was transformed into Isobel Crawley’s home is just one of several locations around Bampton used in filming along with the church next door. Bampton library became the Downton Hospital where Mrs Hughes went for her cancer check-up. Church View is the next must-see in Bampton, as this romantic street lined with stone homes housed two fictional pubs: The Grantham Arms and The Dog and Duck. Church View was also used as a de facto 'strolling street' in the show and the place where Downton held its funfair.
A popular venue for the Downton Abbey fans amongst you. Combine a walk round Bampton viewing where much of the filming took place with a visit to Highclere Castle. The first written records of the estate date back to 749 when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful medieval palace and gardens in the park. Later on, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House in 1679 when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, the direct ancestor of the current Earl of Carnarvon. In 1842, Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament, transformed Highclere House into the present day Highclere Castle.
During the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Throughout the Second World War, Highclere Castle was home to children evacuated from London.
There are between 250 and 300 rooms in the Castle Saloon and during your tour you will explore the main state rooms so familiar from "Downton Abbey". You will see some of the bedrooms after which you will follow the stairs down to the cellars and old staff quarters where you will find the Egyptian Exhibition, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
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Highclere Castle
A popular venue for the Downton Abbey fans amongst you. Combine a walk round Bampton viewing where much of the filming took place with a visit to Highclere Castle. The first written records of the estate date back to 749 when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful medieval palace and gardens in the park. Later on, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House in 1679 when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, the direct ancestor of the current Earl of Carnarvon. In 1842, Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament, transformed Highclere House into the present day Highclere Castle.
During the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Throughout the Second World War, Highclere Castle was home to children evacuated from London.
There are between 250 and 300 rooms in the Castle Saloon and during your tour you will explore the main state rooms so familiar from "Downton Abbey". You will see some of the bedrooms after which you will follow the stairs down to the cellars and old staff quarters where you will find the Egyptian Exhibition, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
A lovely place of historic interest where you can enjoy an afternoon tea and lovely walks. Situated in the lovely town of Woodstock. There are often events held here such as concerts and craft fairs. Always worth checking their website and perhaps pre-booking.
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Blenheim Palace
A lovely place of historic interest where you can enjoy an afternoon tea and lovely walks. Situated in the lovely town of Woodstock. There are often events held here such as concerts and craft fairs. Always worth checking their website and perhaps pre-booking.
Burford has an abundance of character with many independent shops and hostelries. A firm favourite with tourists. We love this town. Spend a couple of hours wandering around the local area and sample what we love about living here. Stay for some lunch in one of the many eateries here.
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Burford
Burford has an abundance of character with many independent shops and hostelries. A firm favourite with tourists. We love this town. Spend a couple of hours wandering around the local area and sample what we love about living here. Stay for some lunch in one of the many eateries here.
A short walk from the Hideaway, Friars Court has been home to the Willmer family since 1917. The current Cotswold stone farmhouse has stood on its moated site, close to the River Thames, for over 300 years.
There have been buildings on the site since 1149 when the Monastic Knights of St. John founded the first 'Hospitallery' in Oxfordshire. Here the resident friars would have offered rest and refreshment to the weary medieval traveller.
Today the grounds of Friars Court can be visited during the summer months by those who want to enjoy the tranquility and hospitality this historic house has to offer and we pride ourselves on continuing with this ancient tradition of personal care and service. Lovely gardens, afternoon tea and an excellent wedding venue.
Friars Court
A short walk from the Hideaway, Friars Court has been home to the Willmer family since 1917. The current Cotswold stone farmhouse has stood on its moated site, close to the River Thames, for over 300 years.
There have been buildings on the site since 1149 when the Monastic Knights of St. John founded the first 'Hospitallery' in Oxfordshire. Here the resident friars would have offered rest and refreshment to the weary medieval traveller.
Today the grounds of Friars Court can be visited during the summer months by those who want to enjoy the tranquility and hospitality this historic house has to offer and we pride ourselves on continuing with this ancient tradition of personal care and service. Lovely gardens, afternoon tea and an excellent wedding venue.
An enjoyable day out for all the family. We love coming here and it’s just down the road😀
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Cotswold Wildlife Park en tuinen
An enjoyable day out for all the family. We love coming here and it’s just down the road😀
Kelmscott Manor was the inspirational Cotswold retreat of William Morris, his family, friends and colleagues. When Morris first saw the Manor in 1871, he was delighted by this 'loveliest haunt of ancient peace'; he signed a joint lease for the property with his friend and colleague Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the Pre-Raphaelite artist. The Plough at Kelmscott is also worth a visit for some fine ales and food.
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Kelmscott Manor
Kelmscott Manor was the inspirational Cotswold retreat of William Morris, his family, friends and colleagues. When Morris first saw the Manor in 1871, he was delighted by this 'loveliest haunt of ancient peace'; he signed a joint lease for the property with his friend and colleague Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the Pre-Raphaelite artist. The Plough at Kelmscott is also worth a visit for some fine ales and food.
At this award-winning Country Cafe, work starts early each morning cooking a wide variety of delicious hot food, from savoury flans and tarts to pies and amazing quiches. Everyday cakes, scones, biscuits, sweet tarts and bread are baked with great enthusiasm and skill to create a stunning taste experience. They also make really great coffee!
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Aston Pottery and Trading Company
At this award-winning Country Cafe, work starts early each morning cooking a wide variety of delicious hot food, from savoury flans and tarts to pies and amazing quiches. Everyday cakes, scones, biscuits, sweet tarts and bread are baked with great enthusiasm and skill to create a stunning taste experience. They also make really great coffee!
Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires. Enjoy walks around the many colleges. Open top bus tours. Go punting on the Thames. Excellent shopping, eateries and nightlife.
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Oxford
Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires. Enjoy walks around the many colleges. Open top bus tours. Go punting on the Thames. Excellent shopping, eateries and nightlife.
A visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace is a must. A lovely place to while away a few hours sightseeing and shopping.
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Stratford-upon-Avon
A visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace is a must. A lovely place to while away a few hours sightseeing and shopping.
Broadway
Take a trip to Broadway.
Highgrove House is the family residence of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, situated south west of Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England, within 25 miles of the Hideaway. Built in the late 18th century, Highgrove and its estate was owned by various families until it was purchased in 1980 by the Duchy of Cornwall from Maurice Macmillan. Charles remodelled the Georgian house with neo-classical additions in 1987. The duchy manages the estate and the nearby Duchy Home Farm.
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Highgrove Gardens
Highgrove House is the family residence of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, situated south west of Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England, within 25 miles of the Hideaway. Built in the late 18th century, Highgrove and its estate was owned by various families until it was purchased in 1980 by the Duchy of Cornwall from Maurice Macmillan. Charles remodelled the Georgian house with neo-classical additions in 1987. The duchy manages the estate and the nearby Duchy Home Farm.
A lovely picturesque Cotswold town very popular with tourists. Visit the local car museum and say hello to Brum or visit Birdland. This town gets very busy when the sun comes out to play
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Bourton on the Water
A lovely picturesque Cotswold town very popular with tourists. Visit the local car museum and say hello to Brum or visit Birdland. This town gets very busy when the sun comes out to play
Chipping Campden is a small market town in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It is notable for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th century to the 17th century. Lovely ‘chocolate box’ properties.
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Chipping Campden
Chipping Campden is a small market town in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It is notable for its elegant terraced High Street, dating from the 14th century to the 17th century. Lovely ‘chocolate box’ properties.
Chedworth Roman Villa is a Roman villa located near Chedworth, Gloucestershire, England. It is one of the largest Roman villas in Britain.
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Chedworth Roman Villa
Chedworth Roman Villa is a Roman villa located near Chedworth, Gloucestershire, England. It is one of the largest Roman villas in Britain.
Eating out in the local area
Whatever your preferences we have some lovely eateries/hostelries just waiting for you. We have personally sampled 95% of those listed here and intend on making that 100% sometime soon.
Our ‘local’. Lovely food and drink. Open mic nights and bands. Worth a visit and only a matter of yards away. Plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy our English summers. Be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
6 locals raden deze aan
The Clanfield Tavern
Bampton RoadOur ‘local’. Lovely food and drink. Open mic nights and bands. Worth a visit and only a matter of yards away. Plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy our English summers. Be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
An extremely popular and award winning artisan Bakery and coffee shop in Clanfield. Their freshly baked produce is exceptional especially their cinnamon rolls. What makes it more appealing is that it is only yards away. Call in for breakfast, lunch or maybe just a mid morning coffee but don’t miss out on those cinnamon rolls. Always something new from these inventive bakers. Large undercover seating area and well worth the visit . A favourite with our guests
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Blake's Kitchen
An extremely popular and award winning artisan Bakery and coffee shop in Clanfield. Their freshly baked produce is exceptional especially their cinnamon rolls. What makes it more appealing is that it is only yards away. Call in for breakfast, lunch or maybe just a mid morning coffee but don’t miss out on those cinnamon rolls. Always something new from these inventive bakers. Large undercover seating area and well worth the visit . A favourite with our guests
Love this place. Well run and very welcoming with great food and service. Book a table in the lovely beer garden. Just 8 miles away 14 Witney Street, Burford OX18 4SN
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The Angel at Burford
14 Witney StLove this place. Well run and very welcoming with great food and service. Book a table in the lovely beer garden. Just 8 miles away 14 Witney Street, Burford OX18 4SN
A thirty minute drive away but really worth the effort in my opinion. Beautiful setting alongside the river Cherwell. Excellent food and service in a really cosy atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the terrace beside the river. Worth the drive 195 Godstow Road, Wolvercote, Oxford OX2 8PN
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The Trout Inn
195 Godstow Rd A thirty minute drive away but really worth the effort in my opinion. Beautiful setting alongside the river Cherwell. Excellent food and service in a really cosy atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the terrace beside the river. Worth the drive 195 Godstow Road, Wolvercote, Oxford OX2 8PN
Excellent Indian and Thai restaurant with takeaway facility. Approx 6 miles. 20% discount for orders over £25. Just 5 miles away Faringdon Road (A420), Faringdon SN7 8PW
6 locals raden deze aan
The Snooty Mehmaan
A420Excellent Indian and Thai restaurant with takeaway facility. Approx 6 miles. 20% discount for orders over £25. Just 5 miles away Faringdon Road (A420), Faringdon SN7 8PW
A walk along the river or perhaps a canoe ride then spend some time eating, drinking and watching the world float by. Lots of outdoor seating here. No booking necessary. Just 5 miles away at Park End Wharf, Lechlade GL7 3AQ
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The Riverside
A walk along the river or perhaps a canoe ride then spend some time eating, drinking and watching the world float by. Lots of outdoor seating here. No booking necessary. Just 5 miles away at Park End Wharf, Lechlade GL7 3AQ
Peter Creed and Tom Noest, born and bred Cotswold gents, reopened the doors to this much-loved local pub in December 2017. The Bell pub offers a modern country pub feel, showcasing the pairs' love for a hearty, classic, British menu with the addition of wood fired dishes and an extensive wine and beer list all with a strong focus on great hospitality and ambience. Outdoor seating area. Takeaway available. Under 4 miles away at Langford, Nr Lechdale, Langford GL7 3LF
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The Bell Inn Langford
Peter Creed and Tom Noest, born and bred Cotswold gents, reopened the doors to this much-loved local pub in December 2017. The Bell pub offers a modern country pub feel, showcasing the pairs' love for a hearty, classic, British menu with the addition of wood fired dishes and an extensive wine and beer list all with a strong focus on great hospitality and ambience. Outdoor seating area. Takeaway available. Under 4 miles away at Langford, Nr Lechdale, Langford GL7 3LF
Always something going on down by the river. You can walk or drive, it’s not far away. Outside undercover seating available. Just a couple of miles away by car at Radcot Road, Radcot OX18 2SX or a three mile walk by the Thames from the Hideaway.
Ye Olde Swan
Radcot RoadAlways something going on down by the river. You can walk or drive, it’s not far away. Outside undercover seating available. Just a couple of miles away by car at Radcot Road, Radcot OX18 2SX or a three mile walk by the Thames from the Hideaway.
Recently taken over and proving to be a popular destination. Just 8 miles away by car at Great Barrington, Burford OX18 4TB
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The Fox Inn
Recently taken over and proving to be a popular destination. Just 8 miles away by car at Great Barrington, Burford OX18 4TB
Recommended for a really good choice of food. Coeliacs catered for - nothing too much trouble. A good alternative to The Clanfield Tavern perhaps on a Monday when the Tavern is closed. Only a couple of miles away at Main Road, Alvescot, OX18 2PU.
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The Plough Inn
Chapel LaneRecommended for a really good choice of food. Coeliacs catered for - nothing too much trouble. A good alternative to The Clanfield Tavern perhaps on a Monday when the Tavern is closed. Only a couple of miles away at Main Road, Alvescot, OX18 2PU.
Previously known as The Plough this lovely Cotswold restaurant is an excellent addition to our lovely village. Very popular with 'foodies'.
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The Double Red Duke
Bourton RoadPreviously known as The Plough this lovely Cotswold restaurant is an excellent addition to our lovely village. Very popular with 'foodies'.
Recently refurbished with an excellent menu including good GF options. Lovely setting by the river. As a Chef and Brewer establishment it accepts Tesco vouchers (see your app to get triple value) and has other excellent offers available. Just 8 or so miles away at Newbridge, Witney OX29 7QD.
6 locals raden deze aan
Rose Revived
Recently refurbished with an excellent menu including good GF options. Lovely setting by the river. As a Chef and Brewer establishment it accepts Tesco vouchers (see your app to get triple value) and has other excellent offers available. Just 8 or so miles away at Newbridge, Witney OX29 7QD.
Actually only re-opened recently and haven't been yet although all indications are that you would not be disappointed
Fleur de Lys
Actually only re-opened recently and haven't been yet although all indications are that you would not be disappointed
Shopping
Bicester Village
Designer outlet with many brands discounted.
An undercover shopping mall for discounted brands. This centre has been built on the old Western Railways site with many original features. Park for a pound.
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Swindon Designer Outlet
Kemble DriveAn undercover shopping mall for discounted brands. This centre has been built on the old Western Railways site with many original features. Park for a pound.
Morrisons
Black Bourton RoadNeed supplies then visit Morrisons in Carterton just three miles away
Need fuel or provisions then visit Asda in Carterton just three miles away for the cheapest fuel in the area.
Asda Carterton Supermarket
Black Bourton RoadNeed fuel or provisions then visit Asda in Carterton just three miles away for the cheapest fuel in the area.
Our local Aldi is just five miles away in Faringdon. You will also find Home Bargains and a small Waitrose on the same site.
ALDI
Unit 2 Henry Blake WyOur local Aldi is just five miles away in Faringdon. You will also find Home Bargains and a small Waitrose on the same site.
Tesco Metro
Park RoadYet another small supermarket within 5 miles of the Hideaway in Faringdon.
Experiences
Experience some of what the Cotswolds has to offer from gin tastings to wedding venues. This is just a sample of what's on offer.
Enjoy a couple of hours learning about how we distill our own gin and whiskey and sample them all at the end. Browse our shop or just come and relax with n our coffee shop and have lunch. Visit Groupon to get this for £14.95 or less per couple.
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Cotswolds Distillery Visitor Centre, Shop and Café
Whichford RoadEnjoy a couple of hours learning about how we distill our own gin and whiskey and sample them all at the end. Browse our shop or just come and relax with n our coffee shop and have lunch. Visit Groupon to get this for £14.95 or less per couple.
Based at Friars Court in the village of Clanfield and just a short walk from the Hideaway. Let Jeffrey organise your wedding/civil ceremony.
Silver Pear Weddings at Friars Court
Friar's CourtBased at Friars Court in the village of Clanfield and just a short walk from the Hideaway. Let Jeffrey organise your wedding/civil ceremony.
Take a punt on the river Cherwell and view some of Oxford’s sights and colleges from the water.
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Oxford Punting
High StreetTake a punt on the river Cherwell and view some of Oxford’s sights and colleges from the water.
Combine a trip to Oxford with a visit to TOAD (The Oxford Artisan Distillery) and sample some of their intoxicating infusions. Visit Groupon to get this for £20.
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The Oxford Artisan Distillery
Cheney LaneCombine a trip to Oxford with a visit to TOAD (The Oxford Artisan Distillery) and sample some of their intoxicating infusions. Visit Groupon to get this for £20.
Why not hire a canoe or paddle board on the Thames followed by lunch at The Riverside?
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Cotswold Boat Hire
Why not hire a canoe or paddle board on the Thames followed by lunch at The Riverside?
Food scene
Thyme – Hotel, Spa, Farm & Cookery School
Looking for something special?
A fine dining experience using local produce. Booking advised.
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The Wild Rabbit
A fine dining experience using local produce. Booking advised.
Walks
Faringdon Folly Tower
Stanford Road
Swinbrook
Minster Lovell
Bampton
Uffington White Horse
Dragon Hill RoadFancy a walk?