2015 Oxfordshire & the Cotswolds Signpost

Historic Houses | Attractions | Museums & Arts

Gardens & Festivals | Open Air

www.countysignpost.co.uk

Annual Publication The Ultimate County Guide

Issue 6 - 2015

Oxfordshire &The Cotswolds

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‘...the loveliest haunt of ancient peace...’

KelmscottManor

www.kelmscottmanor.org.ukTwitter @KelmscottManor

[email protected],

Gloucestershire GL7 3HJ Tel: 01367 252486

Visit the country home of designerWilliam Morris and see stunning collections in the tranquil setting of

this sixteenth-centuryhouse & grounds.

Visiting Hours (April - October)

Wednesday & Saturday11am - 5pm

• Best Small Visitor Attraction (Cotswolds Tourism 2014)• Certificate of Excellence (TripAdvisor 2014)• Green Tourism Silver (2014)• One of the “10 Greatest Places to See English Art” (Telegraph 2013)

Explore our riverside gardens, enjoy homemade food in ourlicensed tearoom and visit our shop for beautiful contemporary

crafts and other gift ideas.

CONTENTS

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County Signpost

Historic Buildings

Attractions

Museums & Arts

Gardens & Festivals

The Open Air

Welcome to the 2015 edition of the Oxfordshire& the Cotswolds County Signpost TouristGuide, your indispensable guide to the besttourist attractions and days out the county has tooffer.

We hope that you find our guide, a pleasure toread, both interesting and informative, and thatyou will take it away with you, to use again andagain.

We offer a taster of the visitor attractions andevents within the County, for both locals andthose who wish to visit from afar.

To be featured in our next edition -please email the editor.

County Signpost LtdCounty Signpost Ltd01743 87409801743 874098

[email protected]@countysignpost.co.uk

For a free download please visitour new map-driven,

online magazine website www.countysignpost.co.uk

Please mentionSignpost when

visiting any of theattractions.

All material in this magazine is, as far as we are aware,correct at the time of printing. County Signpost Ltd doesnot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracieswhich slipped through. Copyright County Signpost Ltd2015. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.

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Published by: County Signpost Ltd

Editor: Adam Davison

Cover image © Kelmscott Manor

Whether you love to explore houses andglorious gardens, or enjoy roaming throughparklands, woods and our wonderfulcountryside, The National Trust’s special placeshave something for everyone. Why not make aday of it? Bring a picnic or treat yourself to adelicious meal in the restaurants, cafes and tea-rooms. There are some great shops selling treatsand gifts, and an varied events programme tosuit all ages.

Newark Park,Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge,Gloucestershire GL12 7PZ01453 842 644www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newarkpark

The quirky interiors of Newark Park, a largeestate to explore and fantastic views makeNewark Park a favourite for many. Furnishedwith an eclectic mix of old and new it is easy torelax at Newark Park and discover the story ofhow it became a home from its origins as aTudor Hunting Lodge. Surrounding the house

you will find wild and romantic gardens, whichoffer fantastic views towards the Mendips, andlead you towards the estate walks down into thevalley below. Newark also has footpath links tothe Cotswold Way. There are croquet sets forhire, great spots for taking a picnic and lots ofspace to roam about. Look out for thesnowdrops in early spring and events andexhibitions throughout the season.

Hidcote Manor Garden, Hidcote Bartrim, nr Chipping Campden,Gloucestershire GL55 6LR01386 438333 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote

Memories don’t get much better than those youwill take away from Hidcote Manor Garden.One of England’s greatest gardens, designed inthe Arts and Crafts style by horticulturalistLawrence Johnston, you can experience foryourself the fulfilment of a quiet American’sEnglish fantasy. A series of exquisite gardenrooms each has its own unique character, withrare shrubs, trees, herbaceous borders andunusual plants from around the world. Thegarden changes in harmony with the seasons,from vibrant spring bulbs to autumn’sspectacular Red Border.

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Newark Park, Gloucestershire© National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Hidcote Manor Garden, Gloucestershire© National Trust Images/Jonathan Buckley

NATIONAL TRUSTSome special places to see

Whilst you are there, you can enjoy a game oftennis or croquet, join one of the free talks, orenjoy a delicious meal using home-grownproduce from the kitchen garden in therefurbished Winthrop’s Café. Why not visit thelargest plant centre in the National Trust whereyou can buy species from Hidcote – includingthe famous Hidcote lavender.

Nestled in the Cotswolds, with sweeping viewsover the Vale of Evesham, a visit to Hidcote isinspirational at any time of year.

Lodge Park and SherborneEstate,

Lodge Park, Aldsworth, Nr Cheltenham,Gloucstershire GL54 3PP 01451 844130 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sherborne

Discover Lodge Park, a unique and beautiful17th-century grandstand complete with a milelong deer course and accompanying deer park.Created in 1634 for John ‘Crump’ Dutton,Lodge Park indulged Dutton’s passion for deercoursing, gambling, banqueting and entertaining.Here you can find out about the National Trust’shistoric renovation of Lodge Park, and thefascinating history of Sherborne Park Estate,Lodge Park and deer coursing. Why not enjoygames and a family picnic on the lawn, explore

the parkland walks and trails, designed byCharles Bridgeman, or take light refreshmentsfrom the Courtyard Café.

If you are looking for a unique venue LodgePark is a stunning and stylish setting andavailable to hire – there are two differentreception rooms, stunning views from thebalcony and access to extensive grounds. It’s amagical environment for weddings, civilpartnerships, corporate functions, private dining,photo shoots or filming and the National Trustcan help you to create your own distinctivecelebration.

Look out for a varied calendar of eventsthroughout the year including the summer artsprogramme, open air theatre and opera andliving history days.

A visit to the wider Sherborne Park Estate willreward you with an abundance of wildlife, fromfallow and roe deer to badgers and foxes.Ancient trees such as veteran oak, ash, beech andlime provide important nesting and feeding sitesfor birds, bats and insects, and Barn Owls andwoodpeckers can sometimes be spotted. EwePen Barn is the starting point for several of theEstate’s main walking routes. Do make sure youleave some time to visit the 18th-century watermeadows (home to otters, water voles anddragonflies) and to follow the sculpture trail inthe Pleasure Gardens.

Snowshill Manor, Snowshill, nr Broadway, Gloucestershire WR12 7JU 01386 852410 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshillmanor

This is a real one-off. Snowshill is home to anEnglish eccentric’s treasure trove. Charles PagetWade’s passion for craftsmanship, colour anddesign began when he was just seven years old.His motto was ‘let nothing perish’ and his lifewas dedicated to finding, restoring and enjoying

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Lodge Park, Gloucestershire© National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

objects of beauty, both everyday andextraordinary.

The manor is packed to the rafters with over22,000 objects from tiny toys to Samurai armour,musical instruments to fine clocks – all laid outtheatrically just as Mr Wade intended. You canstart to make sense of it all by hearing the storyof Mr Wade, as told by one of the volunteersdaily in the garden (weather permitting).

The Manor nestles in a peaceful and intimateArts and Crafts-style terraced garden withhidden vistas and quiet corners. It is the idealplace to come and relax, enjoy a delicious home-made lunch in the restaurant, with fresh producefrom the garden, or take a cream tea on theterrace.

Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth, nr Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 3LJ01242 890256 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth

At one of Britain’s grandest Roman Villas youwill discover the Golden Age of Roman Britain,walk in the footsteps of Romans and enjoy thesights, sounds and smells of Roman life.

The site was discovered in 1864 on the Earl ofEldon’s estate by a local gamekeeper and thenexcavated by his estate workers – a visit to theVictorian Museum tells the story of these earlydays and has a unique collection of artefactsfrom the site.

Following a major project in 2012 theextraordinary relics of the site were unveiled

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Snowshill Manor, Gloucestershire© National Trust Images/Mike Williams

anew. The wonderful new cover building enablesyou to see amazing in-situ mosaics which can beviewed from suspended walkways. This year youmay be able to discover what else lies beneath asthe team carry out some exploratoryarchaeology on the enigmatic North Wing ofthe villa.

Other highlights to the site include the remainsof the dining room, bath houses, water shrine,latrine and the under-floor heating system. In

addition the site is rich in natural history, withbreath-taking views of the Coln Valley. Look outfor some very large snails which were introducedby the Romans and which are still found livingaround the villa.

You can enjoy various Roman-themed eventsand activities throughout the year including talks,workshops and re-enactments, and the familytracker packs, available from reception, are agreat way to make discoveries and have fun.


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Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire©National Trust Images/ James Dobson

Chedworth Roman Villa © National Trust Images / Allan King

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This wonderful welcomingElizabethan home, offerssomething different.

Visit Chavenage House near Tetbury and enjoyguided tours by the owner or his family. Learnof the two families that have occupied the housesince the reign of Elizabeth I. Hear of the legends and stories (especially the ghosts) –Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Cotswoldcountryside.

The name Chavenage dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, from the Norman Conquest untilthe Reformation it was monastic land. After thedissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII gavethe property to the Seymour family. In 1551Chavenage was purchased by the Stephens family who resided there for over 10 generations.The house and surrounding farm werepurchased by the present owner David Lowsley-Williams’ grandfather in 1891.

The main historical interest centres on theEnglish Civil War, when the house was owned byCol. Nathaniel Stephens MP forGloucestershire. He was persuaded against hisbetter judgement to vote for Charles I’simpeachment and subsequent execution. Soon

CHAVENAGE HOUSE

after the King was beheaded, Col. Stephens diedand it is said that his ghostly form was seen leaving Chavenage in a carriage driven by aheadless coachman wearing the Royal vestments.

These days, the property is very much a familyhome and even though it is open to the publicon a part-time basis.

Chavenage has been used as a film/TV locationon many occasions including Agatha Christie’sPoirot story ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles’ andis being seen as Candleford Manor in the BBC’s‘Lark Rise to Candleford’, and was recentlyfeatured in Channel 4's 'All in the Best PossibleTaste' with Grayson Perry. Filming for a newseries of Poldark, based on Winston Graham’snovels, which were previously adapted for TV inthe 1970s, took place at the historic ChavenageHouse during the summer of 2014.

Being Human star Aidan Turner will take on thelead role of British officer Ross Poldark, whoreturns to his native Cornwall after the AmericanWar of Independence. Turner will star alongsideDeath Comes to Pemberley actress EleanorTomlinson playing Elizabeth Poldark, andChavenage House will double as the Poldark’sCornish family home – Trenwith. Filming alsotook place in Corsham, Wiltshire, the BottleYard Studios Bristol as well Cornwall proper.The original BBC TV adaptation of Poldarkaired for two series in the '70s and starred RobinEllis, who will return play Reverend Halse in aepisodes of the new series. The eight hour-longepisodes of Poldark will air in 2015.

Open May-September Thursdays and Sundays2-5pm. Also Easter Sunday & Monday and bankHoliday Mondays.

Telephone 01666 502329www.chavenage.com

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Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark

Broughton Castle is a moated and fortifiedmanor house near Banbury in NorthOxfordshire. Set in parkland and built of therich local Hornton ironstone, it was selected bySimon Jenkins as one of only twenty to beawarded five stars in his book England’sThousand Best Houses.

The core of the house was built in 1306 and thegatehouse in the early fifteenth century, but mostof what you see today dates from the 1550’s. Itwas a centre of opposition to Charles I and was

besieged and damaged after the Battle ofEdgehill in 1642.

Broughton Castle is home to the 21st Lord andLady Saye & Sele, whose family name is Fiennes.The ownership of the Castle has remained in thesame family since 1447.

Broughton Castle was one of many fabulouslocations used for BBC2’s Wolf Hall seriesstarring Damien Lewis, Mark Rylance and ClaireFoy. Filming took place in 2014 and the series is

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BROUGHTON CASTLE

showing on BBC2 in Jan/Feb 2015, and on PBSfrom April 2015.

BBC 1's ever popular Sunday eveningprogramme ANTIQUES ROADSHOW will befilming for its 38th series in the grounds of

Broughton Castle on Sunday 21st June. Thedoors open at 9.30 am and close at 4.30pm.Entry to the show is free.While the garden andTearoom are open for visitors and for theAntiques Roadshow from 9.30am to 4.30pm, theCastle itself is not open that day.

The house and gardens will be open in 2015 onEaster Sunday and Easter Monday, and then inMay, June and September on Wednesdays,Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, and in Julyand August on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundaysand the August Bank Holiday Monday. On thesedays the house and gardens are open from 2pmto 5pm.The house and gardens are also open allthe year round to groups of any size if bookedin advance. Private groups can also book lunchesand afternoon teas.

To book or for further information pleasecontact :

Joanna James, Broughton Castle, Banbury,OX15 5EBTelephone 01295 [email protected]

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Sulgrave manor – thebirthplace of the modernwestern world?

There are many places that turnus to thoughts of history andthe events that may havehappened there in the past. TheTower of London for exampleconjures up thoughts ofimprisoned Queens andbeheadings, Stonehenge givesus ancient druid ceremony and

Brighton Pavilion the supposed debauchery ofthe Prince Regent. So how, you may ask does asmall Tudor Manor House in the ever so slightlyrolling hills of South Northamptonshirecompare to these great and grand places?

The date is 1602 and a baby is born to a wealthybut somewhat undistinguished family, his fatheris the Lord of the Manor of Sulgrave and homeis a Tudor longhouse. He is baptised in the local13th century church of St. James the Less andgiven the family name Lawrence. He thrives inthis environment and at the age of seventeengoes up to Brasenose College, Oxford. He isbright and almost immediately upon graduationhe becomes a Fellow of the college. This is notunheard of but is certainly worthy of note, hesubsequently takes holy orders in the then fairlynew church, the Church of England, and hencebecomes known as The Reverend Lawrence.

A few years later and the country is in turmoil.The King, Charles 1, has fallen out with hisParliament, political and religious tensions arecursing through the country. The Bishop ofLondon, later Archbishop of Canterbury,William Laud, also Chancellor of OxfordUniversity, decides to strengthen this city oflearning for the King. The population of Oxfordincludes some of the sons of the richest andmost influential families in the country – this hasto be a good move! Heappoints a Procter forthe University whose jobit will be to ensure thatOxford, both city anduniversity, remain loyal tothe King and tostrengthen that loyalty.The young man theArchbishop gives this jobto is the ReverendLawrence.

The young manperforms his task well and Oxford does indeedbecome a royalist stronghold, so much so in factthat when civil war breaks out in 1642 the Kingmoves his court from London, where thepopulation mostly supports the Parliament, toOxford, because of its strong Royalist feelings.The Reverend Lawrence, who had left Oxfordby now, must have been proud of hisachievement – creating a stronghold for hisKing. By now though he was a wealthy Rector inPurliegh, Essex, married and with children buthis job was again political. Essex wasParliamentary supporting territory and his taskwas to turn it back to the King.

SULGRAVEMANOR

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William Laud

Well, it all went horribly wrong! A year after theoutbreak of war Reverend Lawrence wasdenounced by Parliament and hounded out ofhis comfortable life. He lost everything almostovernight and the future looked bleak. The warended in 1649 and the Reverend Lawrence andhis family were broken. He died in 1653, almostpenniless and therefore leaving little to hisfamily. His wife, Amphyllis, was reduced tobegging her relatives for somewhere to live,fortunately some were well placed in this newEngland.

However when Amphyllis’s step-father died in1656 he left small legacies to some of his step-grandchildren. The Reverend Lawrence andAmphillys’s son, John, thus inherited a smallsum. Being the son of a known Royalist did notmake for a comfortable life for a young manwith ambition and so he used this inheritance tobuy a share of a trading ship, the Seahorse ofLondon. His plan to trade with the colony ofVirginia and thus keep himself out of Englandfor most of the time. He didn’t want to leaveEngland for good but by embarking on thisventure he would come back maybe twice a yearand see if his propects had changed.

Off he sets on his first voyage aboard theSeahorse, in his early/mid 20s and SecondMaster, it must have been an exciting time. Theship sails to Scandinavia and picks up a cargo offurniture and house-wares and then across theNorth Atlantic to Virginia. John must have beena good salesman as the cargo was sold and hepurchased tobacco for the return journey. Somesay that he may have been too eager (or greedy?),for as the ship was reaching the mouth of ThePotomac it encountered a storm and sank.

John was penniless (again) and on the wrongside of the Atlantic but he was not going to letthis hold him back. He was befriended by (orwas this his salesmanship coming to the foreonce more?) a wealthy Virginian by the name ofNathaniel Pope and subsequently married his

daughter Anne, receiving 700 acres of primetobacco planting land as a dowry. He flourishedand so did his descendants.

There is one thing that I have omitted from thisstory – the family name – it is Washington!

So did a child, born in an insignificant ManorHouse in Northamptonshire, change the worldbecause of his Royalist beliefs?

I’ll let you decide – but if you want to hear morestories of this remarkable family, dating from thelate 12th century until modern times then youneed to visit Sulgrave Manor, the Ancestralhome of George Washington!

Sulgrave, near Banbury OX17 2SD Please see the website for opening details. Telephone 01295 760205 www.sulgravemanor.org.uk

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Great Hall

Oak Parlour

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‘...a heaven on earth...’

Kelmscott Manor, the old house with ‘greygables and rook haunted trees’ became thecountry home of William Morris – poet,designer, craftsman, socialist – from 1871 untilhis death in 1896. Initially, Morris signed a jointlease with the Pre-Raphaelite painter-poetDante Gabriel Rossetti. The grade I listed house

was built as a farmhouse around 1600 for theprosperous farmer Thomas Turner; in the 1660sTurner’s grandson added a new, rather grander,wing. Morris loved the house, by then known asKelmscott Manor, as a survival of traditionalcraftsmanship in harmony with the nearbyvillage of Kelmscott and its surroundingcountryside (one of the loveliest stretches ofthe river Thames is only a few minutes’ walkaway).

KELMSCOTT

He found its atmosphere and secluded setting‘very stimulating to the imagination’; for the restof his life it was a source of profound pleasureand creativity, inspiring many of his mostimportant designs and writings.

Visitors to the Manor will find an outstandingcollection, from early furniture owned by theTurners to a unique collection of furnishingschosen by Rossetti, and pieces from each of

Morris’s London homes including severaldesigned especially for the iconic Red House.Morris’s wife Jane and daughter May are alsovivid presences at Kelmscott Manor, whichcontains many examples of their beautiful andaccomplished needlework; much of this wasdesigned by May, who was a significant designerin her own right. It is perhaps the mostevocative of all the houses associated withMorris.

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MANOR

Kelmscott Manor also boasts enchantinggardens, restored in 1994. The front gardenfeatures the topiary yew hedge originallydesigned and ‘trimmed’ by Morris into the shapeof the Icelandic dragon, Fafnir. Beyond the wallsof the formal garden stand the impressive farmbarns – two of these are now home to thetearoom - now serving home-maderefreshments, baked on the premises - and shop.

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2015 season

There will be plenty of exciting events andactivities programme, including lectures, newfamily trails rural skills family workshops duringthe summer holidays. See the website for moreinformation.

Open every Wednesday and Saturday, 1st April to 31st October 2015.

Ticket office opens 10.30am; Manor at 11am –5pm (last admission 4.30pm).

www.kelmscottmanor.org.ukTwitter @KelmscottManor

[email protected],

Gloucestershire GL7 3HJ Tel: 01367 252486

Blue Silk Dress – Portrait of Jane Morris by DG Rossetti

Tea Lawn – home made and freshly preparedrefreshments in the Tearoom and riverside tea lawn.

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The White Room The Tapestry Room

Kelmscott Gallery

Awards:

· Winner Small Visitor Attraction of the Year (Cotswolds Tourism 2014)

· Certificate of Excellence (TripAdvisor 2014)

· Green Tourism Silver (2014)

· Short-listed for ‘Most Inspiring’ museum or visitor attraction (Guardian Culture Pros and M+H Awards, 2014)

William Morris cake on sale exclusive to KelmscottManor from recipes found recently in the archives col-

lected by the Morris family.

Free lawn croquet at the Manor – avidly played by theMorris family (Kelmscott still has May Morris’s croquetbox at the Manor) included in the admission price.

Seven miles from the heart of historic Oxfordlies Waterperry Gardens – 8 acres of beautifulornamental gardens with a fascinating history.Established as a School of Horticulture forLadies by Beatrix Havergal in 1932, in additionto the much-extended formal gardens andnursery, it is now home to a plant centre andgarden shop, gallery, gift barn, teashop,gardening school and museum.

Explore the tranquil gardens featuring a 200 footlong pure herbaceous border, formal knot androse gardens, colour and contemporary borders,waterlily canal, riverside walk and nursery stockbeds from which cuttings are taken for all theherbaceous plants sold in the plant centre.

The garden shop stocks the essentials for thegardening season and the plant centre sellsWaterperry-grown plants. You’ll also find a widerange of Waterperry apples during the season

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WATERPERRY GARDENS

and, throughout the year, juice and cider made at Waterperry from our own apples.

For some retail therapy, the Gallery and GiftBarn offer beautiful, affordable and unusual giftsto suit all tastes and budgets. There’s also a small

Rural Life Museum, Saxon Church and “MissH’s” for delicious lunches, patisserie and cakes. Waterperry offers a full programme of yearround events, including horticultural-themedweekends, and a wide range of arts, crafts andgardening courses.

© Andrew Lawson

Contact details:

Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, NearWheatley, Oxford, OX33 1JZ.Telephone: 01844 339226.Email: [email protected]: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

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Events 2015

28th March - 13th AprilEaster Bunny Hunt

18th & 19th AprilFritillary weekend

23rd May -1st June Gnometastic Hunt in the gardens

28th JuneRare Plant Fair

10th & 11th JulyOpera Anywhere in the amphitheatre

16th to 19th JulyArt in Action (Waterperry is closed to all but Artin Action visitors)

23rd July - 6th SeptemberFairy “Tail” Trail for children

6th SeptemberABF, The Soldiers Charity Day

9th SeptemberBulb and Container Day supporting UCareCharity

19th-20th, & 26th-27th September Michaelmas Weekend

10th-11th OctoberApple Weekend

24th October - 1st NovemberThe Great Pumpkin Hunt

14th - 15th November & 12th-13th DecemberChristmas Market


Situated outside the beautiful Cotswold town ofPainswick, and famous for its snowdrop display,the Rococo Garden is a fascinating step back toa flamboyant and sensual period of EnglishGarden Design. This gem of a garden, whichwas originally laid out in the early 18th century,is set in a hidden Cotswold valley withmagnificent views of the surroundingcountryside.

A magazine article of 1753, describing this styleof garden, finished with the line .......You are takento a pompous and gilded building, consecrated to Venusfor no other purpose that the squire riots here in vulgarlove with a couple of orange wenches from the local play-house.

It seems he was unimpressed with the frivolity ofthe owners of these gardens.

New for 2015 is a Bluebell Walk and also thereturn on Monday 6th July The HandleBards atroupe of 4 actors traveling the UK by bike.They will be performing Hamlet.

Telephone 01452 813204www.rococogarden.org.uk

PAINSWICK ROCOCO GARDEN

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Mill Dene Garden is hidden deep on the northscarp face of the Cotswolds. It surrounds anold, pre-Norman water mill, with its pond andstream and is set in a tiny valley.

Barry and Wendy Dare fell in love with a build-ing that was falling down with no garden. Theyhad no money and no experience of eitherrestoration or horticulture, but learned on ‘thehoof ’ so to speak, whilst doing other jobs andraising children.

Their creation over a lifetime is there for every-one to enjoy: two and a half acres of interestingplanting; of surprises round every corner and alot of fun. Mill Dene has a tiny misty grotto inamongst the bog garden on the stream and a‘trick of the eye’ apparently extends the bound-aries of the garden. It is an exercise of makingthe most of a difficult site. It is also an exercisein creating something beautiful in which to med-

itate, and which will nourish the senses.

In this watery wonderland in a steep valleyaround an old mill, one follows winding pathsfrom the mill stream and pool to a wild garden,through a rose walk, to a potager and fruit gar-den and down steps to a cricket lawn – allimbued with touches of mischief and incorpo-rating quirky statues and notices. Moreover, thegarden changes remarkably through the seasons.Tulips in spring make way for a profusion ofculinary and medicinal herbs, attracting pollina-tors for the nearby fruit. Box hedging and pat-terned stone retain winter interest, when the gar-den takes on a meditative feel, possibly becauseof its historic use a Saxon burial ground. On alower terrace, a miniature cricket lawn and pavil-ion, with full sized stumps, are like somethingout of Alice in Wonderland – a reflection per-haps of the character of Wendy Dare, whodesigned the garden, and who has lived herewith her husband for forty-seven years.

Mill Dene Garden is family owned and run.They have a part-time gardener and for a coupleof days a week there are two ladies fromWRAGS (Women Returners to AmenityGardening) who help in the garden.

Visit Mill Dene as part of the Quiet GardenMovement from May onwards (Sundays 2-5pm). An opportunity to enjoy stillness andreflection for visitors of any faith or none. Tobe confirmed - see the website for details.

Mill Dene Garden

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[email protected] Telephone 01386 700457

www.milldenegarden.co.uk

Once upon a time...

Fairytale Farm, was opened in 2013 by DavidCameron and is the UK's first visitor attractionto put disabled children first in its design and lay-out - but is also loved by children (and adults) ofall abilities.

There are very few rural facilities for disabledchildren and their families. As most parents ofchildren with special needs know, much of thecountryside is out of bounds. Although there area number of centres for disabled children, thesetend to be institutional and require advancedbooking, and most mainstream attractions arenot fully accessible, despite the efforts of own-ers.

Nick and Nicola Laister, whose eldest daughterOlivia has cerebral palsy, decided a number ofyears ago to acquire some land and create a

tourist attraction where disabled children andtheir families can spend a day out in the country-side enjoying various rural activities on a sitewhere everything is primarily designed aroundtheir needs. Their vision was to create the sort ofattraction that they would have liked to have vis-ited with their own children, which Olivia couldhave enjoyed alongside her brothers and sister.

Fairytale Farm is the first family farm attractionwhere everything is designed around the needsof children with sensory, learning and physicaldisabilities, but which can be enjoyed by childrenwithout disabilities too. A truly inclusive experi-ence.

For the first time in the UK, disabled childrenhave their own attraction that operates like anyother commercial tourist attraction which theycan enjoy with the rest of their family - and withno pre-booking needed.

FAIRYTALE FARM

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This facility would not be a care facility or aninstitutional experience, but a family day out inthe countryside, built around the needs of thefamily member whose needs are most difficult tocater for, but open to everybody.

Fairytale Farm is divided into four main zones:Huff and Puff for adventure play; EnchantedWalk for our fairytale sensory experience; Alfieand Friends, where you can meet our amazinganimals; and The Stables, where you can visitMouse Town, play in our sandpit and enjoy ourCafé and indoor play area. In 2014 we intro-duced Mouse Town, the Giant Rabbit Burrow,Sleeping Beauty, Hansel & Gretel and our wackyRubber Duck Racing. We have lots of newattractions planned for 2015, including a newoutdoor seating area for the Beanstalk Cafe,complete with sandpit and wishing well.

Huff and PuffBurn off energy and have loads of fun in ouradventure playground area – where kids of allabilities can:

• Race a rubber duck along our pump-poweredwacky waterway.• Climb our timber play structures and whooshdown our exciting slides.• Jump on board our giant combine harvester.• Explore our very own Storybook Castle –where fairytales can come to life.• Swing on the Nest Swing or on our fabulouswheelchair swing.

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Alfie and Friends Get to know all our animals (including our mas-cot Alfie the Alpaca) up close and personal! Oureducational animal zone is packed with amazing-ly sociable creatures who are waiting to makefriends with you and your children.

Come and say ‘hi’ to:

• Fairytale Ponies – our miniature Shetlandponies are perfect for little princesses.• The Old Woman and her Pig – our TV starpigs. Their house was blown down by a wolf sothey now live happily ever after, snoring away inthe ark!• The Two Little Pigs – Winston and Edgar areour two little Kune Kune pigs. They’re very gen-tle and super cute! And meet our three micro-pigs.• The Four Billy Goats Gruff – they safelycrossed the troll bridge and have settled in beau-

tifully at Fairytale Farm.• The Donkey, from the Brothers Grimm – canyou make our donkey smile?!• Magical Rheas – gorgeous South Americanbirds, as tall as your children, that were hatchedhere at Fairytale Farm.• Chicken-Licken – free-range and friendly, you’llfind several breeds of chicken including ourfluffy Silkies. • Turkey Lurkie and Friends – Listen to ourturkeys gobbling, and watch the boys proudlyshowing off their colours.• Rabbit Walk - Here you will find fluffy rabbitsand sociable guinea pigs, all going about theirdaily business.• Alfie and Friends – inquisitive and alert, Alfiethe Alpaca and his friends love to watch theworld go by here at Fairytale Farm.

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County Signpost

The Stables

NEW: Mouse TownSee a family of mice going about their daily busi-ness in our beautifully crafted indoor model vil-lage.

NEW - Giant Rabbit BurrowExplore this larger than life burrow and play inthe rabbits' kitchen.

NEW - SandpitFun in the sand for the kids while the parents enjoy a coffee or an ice cream.

Beanstalk CafeLight lunches and snacks at reasonable prices,much of which is sourced from local suppliers.Delicious home made cakes is a favourite, andwe sell locally-baked gluten and dairy free cakes.

ShopWhy not also visit our shop, situated in the cafe,where you can buy a selection of Fairytale Farmsouvenirs and fairytale toys and gifts.

Indoor play area With toys, musical instruments, books and sen-sory pictures, it will keep everyone warm, dryand entertained!

Just turn up and have fun - everything is accessi-ble and everybody is welcome!

Telephone 01608 [email protected] 5QH

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County Signpost

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE180 years after it was incorporated by Act ofParliament in 1835, the Great Western remainsBritain's best loved railway. It was built on aheroic scale by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, witha broad gauge, beautiful bridges and sumptuousstations. It served some of the most scenic areasof England and Wales and called itself TheHoliday Line. It invented the Cornish Riviera asa tourist destination. In the 20th century theGWR’s Cheltenham Flyer was the world’s fastesttrain. Its locomotive policy in the first half ofthe 20th century was an object lesson in thebenefits of standardisation and evolutionarydesign. With the end of steam on the horizon bythe 1940s, the GWR had built a fleet of dieselrailcars and experimented with gas turbinelocomotives.

Today Didcot Railway Centre encapsulates thelong history of the GWR. The replica of the1840 broad gauge locomotive Fire Fly offers anexperience of travel at the beginning of therailway era. The collection of more than 20

standard gauge locomotives from the 1890s tothe 1940s include many of the standard classestypified by tapered boilers, copper-cappedchimneys and Brunswick green paintwork. Theyare completed by Didcot’s preserved fleet ofchocolate and cream carriages. On a steamdayyou are guaranteed a ride in vintage carriagesfrom the 1930s or 1940s.

But Didcot is much more than a train ride. Theoriginal engine shed, built 1932, is an exhibitionhall which displays locomotives in theirauthentic surroundings. As the only completeGWR locomotive depot that has survived,Didcot also has a coal stage and turntable inworking order. Within the railway centre,buildings have been brought from around theGWR system and re-erected. These includedtwo signal boxes, one of which is regularlyopened with staff to explain how semaphoresignalling works. There is a picnic area whereyou can sit and watch the trains go past.

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The railway centre also includes acomprehensive museum of small relics andartifacts from the GWR. These include thecolourful posters which decorated stations, anamazing variety of silverware, glass and crockeryused in restaurant cars in the age of elegantdining, and the everyday items crafted in brass orsteel and marked with the magic initials GWR.

An interactive Science, Learning and Railwaysexhibition in two railway coaches explains thetheory of steam locomotion to young and not soyoung visitors. The original air raid shelter from1940 has been restored as an experience of thatdark era when the railways helped to ensurevictory, but emerged so run down thatnationalisation was inevitable. In 1948 the GWRbecame part of British Railways, but the brand isso potent that the privatised train operatingcompany has re-adopted the name GreatWestern.

Whether you want to be entertained, educated orto admire engineering excellence, a visit toDidcot Railway Centre is a great experience.

As always, it is suggested to check the websitewww.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk for details orupdates, or to telephone the centre on 01235817200

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Events for 2015April 3-6 Easter Family Fundays

April 18-19 GWR Diesel Railcar No.22'sBirthday

May 2-4 Steam Gala - 50th Anniversary of theClosure of Didcot Engine Shed

May 23-25 Diesel Gala and Real Ale Festival

June 7 Festival of Transport Day

June 21 Father's Day

July 12 Teddy Bears' Picnic and Family Funday

August 29-31 August Bank Holiday

September 12-13 All in a Day's Work

The railway is a friendly country branch line inthe style of the former Great Western Railway,providing heritage train rides for both familiesand enthusiasts alike.

The line runs for 3.5 miles along the foot of theChiltern Hills, parallel to the historic IcknieldWay passing through attractive countryside andred kites can often be seen circling overhead.Most trains are steam hauled and operate everySunday and Bank Holidays departing fromChinnor station. The railway is open fromMothers Day to Halloween and generally ticketsgive unlimited travel on the day of purchase.

The railway also runs a number of special eventsduring the year, including two Gala Days in June

and August, when all available locomotives andthe DMU are in use during the day. There is alsoan Open Day in May, when you can see behindthe scenes to see how the railway operates. Inaddition, the railway runs its popular Santa andMince Pie trains on Saturdays and Sundays during December, but these have to be pre-booked on 07979 055366.

It also offers superb cream teas on many of theSunday afternoon steam hauled trains whichGeorge Pembroke of Steam Railway wrote ‘Thecream tea is the best on-train catering itemoffered on normal service, and is highlyrecommended’. For Cream teas availability andadvance booking please telephone 07979055366.

CHINNOR AND PRINCESRISBOROUGH RAILWAY

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County Signpost

The Railway offers Steam and Diesel DriverExperiences, when members of the public canlearn how to control a locomotive on theIcknield Line, and drive the steam or diesel locothe full length of the line - full instruction given,and guests can ride in the train behind thedriver!! Telephone 07784 189322 for moredetails.

The railway has wheelchair access, but not onDMU trains, Disabled toilet facilities.

Light refreshments are available on ChinnorStation and most trains include a licensed buffet.Souvenirs of your visit can be purchased in thegift shop.

Location:Chinnor station is situated in Station Road justoff the B4009. The M40 J6 is 3 miles away andPrinces Risborough is 4 miles further along theB4009. Once in Chinnor follow the browntourist signs to the railway.

Contact:Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Co.,Station Approach, Station Road, Chinnor, Oxon

OX39 4ERTalking Timetable: 01844 353535Party Bookings, cream teas and other queries:07979 055366, E-mail: [email protected]: www.chinnorrailway.co.uk


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Events for 2015April 3-6 Easter Specials

April 26 Spring Steam and Diesel Gala

May 3-4 Teddy Bear Days

May 16 Murder Mystery Dining Train

June 13 Quiz Night on the Watlington Flyer

June 21 Father's Day

July 11 Murder Mystery Dining Train

August 6, 13,20 & 27 Kids for a Quid

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In the beautiful setting of Bourton-on-the-Water you’ll find the hidden gem that is theCotswold Motoring Museum & Toy Collection.A popular tourist destination, Bourton is a greatplace to visit for a day trip, with plenty to see anddo in and around the village.

The Museum

You’ll discover over 50 vehicles including cars,motorcycles, pedal cars and caravans displayed inseven galleries covering more than 7,500 sq. ft.!The Museum is a truly fascinating journeythrough the 20th Century, overflowing withvintage vehicles, hundreds of original enamel

COTSWOLD MOTORING MUSEUM

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signs and an intriguing collection of motoringcuriosities. It’s also home to TV’s superhero carBrum, whose adventures start and end at themuseum, and can now be found there every day.

The wonderful toy collection also represents theMuseum’s passion for travel. From oldfavourites from year’s gone past to more modernitems, you will be enchanted by the great displayof toys and games. After your visit, don’t missthe gift shop which is jam packed with pocketmoney treats and collectables including Brummemorabilia and souvenirs.

New Exhibition – Dream a little dream

The Museum is owned by CSMA Club, whohave been proudly supporting civil serviceemployees since 1923. This year’s exhibition isinfluenced by hippie culture. Our nostalgic lookat the 1960s is colourful, laid back and very cool.Alongside the Zephyr Mk3 and motorcycles youcan enjoy the sounds from an original RadioCaroline studio. The exhibition will run fromFeb – Dec and will feature sounds and imagesfrom the 1960s.

The Cotswold Motoring Museum is open from10am to 6pm seven days a week, from 14February to mid December 2015.

Motoring Museum|Toy Collection| Gift Shop|Home of TV’s Brum|Children’s Play Area

Telephone 01451 821255www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk

Discover the unique nature inspired artcollection housed within the beautiful setting ofWallsworth Hall. The Georgian mansion wasonce owned by Samuel Hayward (1714-1790),local landowner and magistrate who built it forhis wife Catherine as a wedding present, you willbe in awe as you spy its grandeur travelling alongtheir half mile driveway, edged by trees andfields. The perfect surroundings for what is heldwithin!

The art collection is international in scope,embracing two and three dimensional work in allmedia and styles, ranging from Pablo Picasso to

David Shepherd. Over their 25 year history,Nature in Art has collected works whichrepresent over 1500 years of art inspired bynature, from more than 50 countries and 600artists. So whether you prefer exotic Flemishmasters or contemporary glass, modern abstractinterpretations or bronze sculpture, textiles orethnic art there will be something for you…

Alongside the permanent display which isfrequently changed, they host a range oftemporary exhibitions each year, highlights for2015 include:

Art Forms in Nature: Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932) botanical photographs,

March 24th – April 19th

Nocturnal Encounters: Colin See-Payton wood engravings,

April 21st – May 17th

Flora Metallica: Ruth Moilliet metal and glass sculptures,

June 16th – August 16th

NATURE IN ARTCounty Signpost

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2015 British Wildlife Photography Awards:September 15th – November 15th

Mind the Gap: Inlaid wood, ceramics, metal and stone,

November 24th – January 3rd 2016

Please check the website for further informationand for a full list of exhibitions in 2015.

Nature in Art is also suitable for all the family;children can create animal brass-rubbings,experiment with materials using their handlingbox, touch some of the sculptures around thegalleries, as well as enjoy their outdoor play areaand garden.

Together you can visit the artist in residence(from mid-January to mid-November) in thepurpose-built studio, meet a woodcarver, painteror sculptor! Complete your visit by relaxing inthe coffee shop with a homemade lunch orafternoon tea, and then browse through the giftshop for a memento of your day. The shop sellsa range of unique gifts, cards and prints.

Open: Tuesday–Sunday, including BankHolidays, 10am to 5pm. Closed 24th-26thDecember.Entry: £5.25 adults, £4.75 concessions (over60s, under 16s), £15 family (2 adults, 2 children),under 8s free.

Two miles north of Gloucester on the A38.Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucester, GL2 9PATelephone : 01452 731422www.nature-in-art.org.uk

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HOLST BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM

The museum is in the Regency terrace housewhere Gustav Holst, composer of The Planetswas born in 1874. The story of the man and hismusic is told alongside a fascinating display ofpersonal belongings including his piano. Themuseum is also a fine period house showing theupstairs downstairs way of life in times past,including a working Victorian kitchen andlaundry, elegant Regency drawing room andcharming Edwardian nursery

There is a range of events happening this year asthe museum celebrates 100 years of The Planetswhich Holst began in 1914. There will be sevenlistening posts across Cheltenham each playing a

movement of the Suite. Each will be in alocation associated with Holst. In addition thereis a major exhibition June 28th - October 12thThe Planets with items borrowed from TheBodleian Library, The British Library, the RoyalCollege of Music and the Britten-PearsFoundation. This includes the originalmanuscripts of The Planets.

Telephone 01242 524846www.holstmuseum.org.uk

Victorian Bedroom where Holst was born

Images © William Bagshaw Reproduced withPermission The Holst Birthplace Museum.

Staff in costume as Holst’s Mother, Holst asa toddler and his Nursemaid

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- -

A large 18th-century house in thehistoric town of Woodstock providesa home for the County’s collections.Touring exhibitions, a stunninggarden, Museum shop and cafécomplement the permanent displays.

The Museum is bigger than you mightthink with eleven galleries displayingart, archaeology, local and naturalhistory. Explore the County’sinnovative industries fromnanotechnology to nuclear power andits past from the Jurassic to theVictorian period and beyond.

The award winning contemporary GardenGallery and original Brew House provide adramatic space, where visitors can enjoy a variedand lively programme of colourful exhibitions.

Throughout the seasons visitors can enjoy thechanging landscape of the walled garden, apeaceful tranquil escape from the busy town.Don’t miss the Dinosaur Gardenwith Jurassic planting, including the rare WollemiPine, and life size Megalosaur – as big as a bus!

Forged in Fire - OxfordshireMetals Through Time 2 May – 5 July

The Iron Age Mirror from Didcot,Oxfordshire

The mirror was found by metal detector at anunknown location near Didcot some time before

2007. As the mirror is made from bronze andcontains no precious metals it was not classifiedas treasure (the law defining treasure has sincebeen changed) and so after being recorded bythe Finds Liaison Officer based in St Albans and

THE OXFORDSHIRE

MUSEUM

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County Signpost

undergoing conservation work by staff of StAlbans Museum, the mirror went in to privateownership.

In 2013, the mirror was sold to an anonymousoverseas buyer, but a Curator at the BritishMuseum appealed to the Department ofCulture, Media and Sport and in early 2014 atemporary export bar was placed on the mirrorby Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture,Communications and Creative Industries, who iscoincidentally the MP for Didcot and Wantage.

“We received donations from Wartski’s (the CourtJeweller), The Arts Council England and Victoria andAlbert Museum Purchase Grant Fund, The HeadleyTrust and the Friends of Oxfordshire Museum, as wellas a substantial number of private donations from peopleboth within Oxfordshire and further afield.

We raised the £33,000 needed to buy the mirror andkeep it in the county. And as it is now in publicownership, it is being displayed to the public for the veryfirst time.” Writes David Moon, Curator ofArchaeology for Oxfordshire Museum Services.

The mirror is a fine example of a Late Iron Agedecorated mirror. These items are unique toBritain and only 58 are known to exist, with just18 complete mirrors. This one is an earlyexample, dating to the first century BC, and isdecorated with a highly unusual and beautifulcurvilinear, La Tene style pattern which has beeninscribed into the back by a craftsman who musthave been extraordinarily skilled.

The exact function of mirrors in Iron Agesociety is not clear. They would certainly havebeen prestigious items, owned by few people.Mirrors can be used to reflect light into darkspaces or to signal across distances as well as toapply make-up or check your hair. In manycultures mirrors are magical objects, whichreflect an alternative view of the world, or act asa portal to another world, like Alice found inThrough the Looking Glass. This may well havebeen the case in Iron Age, Druidic society, andmirrors may be connected to fortune telling orshamanic activity. While this mirror was a casualfind with no archaeological context, some havebeen found in association with cremationburials, so mirrors may also have had a functionconnected with death or afterlife.

This mirror is a nationally importantarchaeological artefact as well as an outstandingwork of art and piece of craftsmanship. Itsacquisition by Oxfordshire Museum Service forthe people of Oxfordshire and the nation willhelp us properly reflect the incrediblearchaeological heritage we enjoy in the county,and be a spectacular exhibit for the county’smuseums.

Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SNTelephone: 01993 814103www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshiremuseumTwitter @oxonmuseum

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County Signpost

HOOK NORTONBREWERY

Hook Norton Brewery is a family owned brewery, witha brewery shop, bar, café, museum and tours. In Spring2015 a new café and bar will open.

Bar, café & shopBrewery keys

Signpost - page 39

The bar at the newly refurbished Rising Sun in Hook Norton

The brewery was founded in 1849 By JohnHarris who bought the farm that became the siteof the brewery - in the village of Hook Nortonin the heart of the Cotswolds. The currentManaging Director of brewing is James Clarke -the great-great grandson of the founder !

A visit to Hook Norton Brewery takes a goodcouple of hours (one and a half for theorganised brewery tour - you must book inadvance, and then a good while for the freesamples in the bar !) and is well worth the time.

The brewery is tucked away in Hook Norton -but easy to find thanks to the brown signs.You’ll know you can’t be far off when you see the Hook Norton Brewery Shire Horses doingtheir delivery rounds of the nearby pubs...

At present the Brewery has three shire horses,Nelson, Major, and Albert. The shire horses arelooked after by long serving drayman, RogerHughes.

The sight of two shire horses leaving thebrewery is extremely impressive and is a thrillingpart of any visitor’s tour. The horses usuallymake local deliveries on Wednesday, Thursdayand Fridays, and they go around the village ofHook Norton on the first Saturday of everymonth (weather permitting). In any event thetour of the brewery includes a visit to the stablesso you won’t miss out on seeing these amazinganimals.

The Brewery is a combination of workingbrewery and a visitor attraction all housed in theoriginal Victorian brewery and maltings; currentmodern manufacturing processes sit neatlyalongside traditional handcrafted methods,working steam powered pumps and three shireshorses! Hook Norton Brewery has a selection oftied estate pubs in and around the Cotswolds

Hook Norton BreweryOX15 5NYwww.hooky.co.uk

The Museum

The Brewery have a small estate of pubs in theCotswolds - from busy high streets, listedbuildings to cosy villages, here are a short

selection :1. The Angel, Burford (top 10 places to liveForbes Magazine) 2. The Sun Inn, Hook Norton (short walkfrom the brewery)3. The Castle, Edgehill (historical location)4. The Eagle Tavern, Witney (excellentshopping in market town)5. The Coach and Horses, Banbury (newrefurbished town centre)

Signpost - page 40

The land that is now Bodenham Arboretum waspurchased forty years ago by the late DavidBinnian and his wife Jennifer. What began as ahobby, planting a few trees each winter, hasdeveloped into an area of outstanding landscapebeauty and interest.

His vision was to create a modern landscape thatencapsulated his love and passion for trees andthe countryside. When Bodenham receivedconditional English Heritage status in 1995 theyrealized it was a major opportunity for theArboretum to be enjoyed by the public and it toremain in the family. What the family haveachieved, continued and diversified by their sonJames and his sons Ben & Sam, is a thrivingworking farm and Arboretum that gives

enormous pleasure to the many thousands ofvisitors each year.

Set in 168 acres there are some 3000 species oftrees and shrubs and two chains of pools andlakes. The epicentre lies around the Big Poolwhere many rare and ornamental trees can beseen in flower or fruit at all times of the year,

BODENHAMARBORETUM

their autumn colours being a specialbeauty. Through a patchwork quilt ofpools, plantations, dells and glades,habitats provide for flora and fauna, insectlife and numerous species of resident andmigrating birds.

Several miles of paths lead through acresof daffodils in early spring, and laterprimroses, bluebells and foxgloves linemany of the woodland walks. The brilliantcolours of azaleas and rhododendronsbegin in mid- spring and the LaburnumTunnel is one of the highlights inMay/June.

The farm is enjoyed by all ages. Lambs andcalves abound in spring, along with chicks fromthe rare breeds of poultry. Every Christmas timethe old farm buildings are transformed to tell thebiblical story of the nativity, with life sizewooden characters and Bodenham’s animals,including our own donkeys.

The Visitor Centre is an award winningenvironmentally sensitive building carved out ofthe hillside. We serve a variety of home cookedfood and cakes, including our very popularcarvery. The pork, Herefordshire beef and lambis from the farm and the vegetables are fresh andlocal when possible.

Sunday and Christmas lunches are catered for aswell as public and private daytime/eveningfunctions, weddings and funeral parties.

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Opening Times:

February half term to Christmas openWednesday to Sunday inclusive, 11am-5pm.Open every day in October, December (ex. 24thand 25th). Open all day and evening onThursdays during May to September inc.January – February half term open weekendsonly

Arboretum Facilities andadditional information:• Free car and coach parking• Disabled friendly in VisitorCentre, limited access in theArboretum • Free entrance to restaurant andshop• Admission charged for Arboretumand Nativity• Groups by arrangement• Hard and grass paths – sensiblefootwear recommended• Dogs on leads allowed in grounds• Tree and plant sales• Guided walks available

Forest SchoolAlso available at Bodenham is a Forest School -where children can learn and enjoy forestactivities including : den building, fires &outdoor cooking, pond dipping, streamdamming...and much more. Contact :[email protected]

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SHSHOOWW BURWARTON

www.burwartonshow.co.ukTicket prices: Adults £15, Concessions £14, Child £5

Discounted pre-show tickets available

THURSDAY 6 AUGUST 2015The Showground, B4364 between Ludlow & Bridgnorth

8.15am

- 7.00pm

A great day out for all the family

The ROYAL SIGNALS MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY TEAM - THE WHITE HELMETS

and BOB HOGG SHEEPDOGS

• Trade Stands • Food Hall • Handicrafts • Horticulture• YFC Displays • Sheep Shearing • Craft Demonstrations

Explore the fascinating world of the Victorian judges at this award-winning historic house.Stunningly restored and totally hands on.Damp cells and vast courtroom included!

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Batsford is home to one of the finest botanicalcollections in the country and is run by thecharitable trust, The Batsford Foundation.

The Arboretum is planted on a south facingslope which means visitors get to see ourmagnificent tree and plant collections from anunusual angle, as well as the stunning views ofthe Evenlode Valley beyond.

At 56 acres in size, Batsford is an intimate andromantic place to visit, with interest all yearround from the first snowdrops of spring, rightthrough to the outstanding autumn colour inOctober and November.

Batsford is also home to a beautiful new woodenvisitor centre where you'll find the GardenTerrace Café, Gift and Garden Shop and thePlant Centre within the walls of the Victoriankitchen garden.

The Visitor Centre

Officially opened in 2011, the beautiful VisitorCentre at Batsford offers our visitors acomfortable and relaxed environment in whichto enjoy a meal or some retail therapy. Less well-known is how much effort we took creating anenvironmentally sound building which fits inwith the surrounding landscape.

The beautiful wooden building at Batsford ismade from sustainably grown and FSC sourcedtimber and is both a triumph of sustainablearchitecture and a wonderful example of asustainable building meeting 21st century needs.

The wooden building has a low profile roofwhich minimises its visual impact on thelandscape and also reduces our energyconsumption. A ground source heat pumpprovides under floor heating in winter and all

BATSFORD ARBORETUMCounty Signpost

Signpost - page 44

grey water is recycled to supply the plant centre.The whole building is also insulated with woolfrom rare breed sheep.

Equally important though is the fact it offers ourvisitors a comfortable place to warm up after awinter walk and more space to browse thewonderful range of gardening sundries and giftswe have on offer.

History

The earliest verifiable recorded history ofBatsford Park which includes the arboretumdates back to the early part of the 17th Century.We know a substantial house existed on the siteat that time which went on to be altered andextended over the next two hundred years. Incommon with most gardens of the time, theland was laid out in a formal style, graduallyevolving into the more relaxed natural style yousee today in the late 19th century.

Much of the landscaping you see today in thearboretum is thanks to Algernon BertramFreeman-Mitford (Bertie) - later the 1st Lord

Redesdale and grandfather to the infamousMitford sisters who lived at Batsford Park duringWorld War I.

The 20th Century saw the greatest developmentof the Arboretum at Batsford, first under thenew owner Gilbert Alan Hamilton Wills – laterthe 1st Lord Dulverton and then by his son, the2nd Lord Dulverton Frederic AnthonyHamilton Wills who was himself a greatplantsman and who worked with Head ForesterKen Hope to restore the neglected gardens.

Arboretum

The 56 acre arboretum at Batsford is home toone of the largest private tree collections in thecountry, providing something of interestthroughout the year and famed for trees whichoriginate in Japan and China.

The collection includes a number of Red Dataspecies which are extinct in the wild and severalUK champion trees, famed for their size.

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The arboretum is managed by the BatsfordFoundation, a charity set up by the 2nd LordDulverton in 1983 to promote education,conservation and research into gardens, arboretaand historic landscapes.

The arboretum has a fascinating history, muchof which is reflected in the planting and designyou see today.

As with all natural environments, BatsfordArboretum is a work in progress, just on a muchbigger scale than most! It will always beprotected by the Batsford Foundation but we'rekeen to develop it in a sympathetic way,completely in keeping with our charitable remitbut making it an even more interesting,informative and special place to visit.

Shopping

No day out at Batsford is complete withoutleaving plenty of time for a spot of retailtherapy. You're spoilt for choice here too - withthe Arboretum Gift Shop providing unusual gift

ideas to suit every pocket - crammed full ofpresent ideas you won't find on the High Street.

If upcycling is more your style, pay a visit to theApplestore at Batsford - home to fabulousshabby chic vintage furniture and gifts.

And don't miss the Garden Shop and PlantCentre - home to a huge range of quality plantsand quality sundries to suit every garden andallotment. Also on site falconry centre,Cotswold archery and wood turner.

Eating

Batsford is home to the Garden Terrace Caféwhere you’ll find a fabulous range of homebaked cakes, afternoon teas and hot lunchesserved each day. All produce is locally sourcedwhere possible and, when the weather allows,you can enjoy your meal on the beautiful terraceoverlooking the plant centre.

Telephone 01386 701441www.batsarb.co.uk

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County Signpost

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The railway is a friendly country branch line in the style of the former Great Western Railway, providing heritage train rides for both families and enthusiasts alike, along the foot of the Chiltern Hills. Open: Every Sunday and Bank Holiday from mid-March to end of October and tickets give unlimited travel on the day of purchase. Trains depart Chinnor Station from 10.00am to 4.30pm. Cream Teas: The railway offers superb cream teas on many of the Sunday afternoon steam hauled trains. For advance bookings or more details please phone 07979 055366.

Station Road, Chinnor, Oxon. OX39 4ER

Talking Timetable: 01844 353535 www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

It’s an enchanting adventure,a nostalgic journey and a great day out for the whole family

Seven galleries • Over 50 vehicles Original enamel signsMotoring curiositiesTV’s superhero car, Brum Toy collection • Gift shop

Bourton-on-the-Water

COTSWOLD

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This charming, lived in, historic Elizabethan (1576) Manorwhich has been used a a TV location for the 2015 remake

of “Poldark” is set amidst the tranquil Cotswold Hillscontains much of interest. Tapestry rooms, furniture andrelics of the Cromwellian period. Hear of the Headless

Coachman coming to collect the body of a former owner.

Open 2-5p.m. on Thus. & Sun. , May to end of Sept.Plus Easter Sun. & Mon. & Bank Holiday Mondays.

(Last Admission 4pm)Tours are conducted by the owner or his family.

Group visits (20 plus) on any day at any timethroughout the year by prior arrangement.

Catering for pre-arranged groups especially teas or light suppers

For further information, please contact:Caroline Lowsley-Williams, Chavenage,Tetbury, Gloucestershire. GL8 8XP

Tel: 01666 502329Email: [email protected]

CHAVENAGE

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See the world’s largest collection of Worcester Porcelain and learn about a fascinating workforce and history that spans over 250 years.

Meet past Royal Worcester Artists and NADFAS conservators who regularly work in the galleries and visit our shop to �nd an ever changing selection of vintage and antique Royal Worcester made on the factory site for sale.

Behind the scenes visits, refreshments, catering and private hire for special occasions available.

MUSEUM OF ROYAL WORCESTER Severn Street, Worcester WR1 2ND: 01905 21247 : 01905 617 [email protected] www.museumofroyalworcester.org

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY March to October: 10am – pm November to February: 10am – 4pmClosed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and occasionally for private functions, please telephone for details.

‘Royal Worcester’ and the C51 crown device are registered by and used under kind permission from Portmeirion Group UK Ltd to whom all rights are reserved.

See the world’s largest collection of Worcester Porcelain and learn about a fascinating workforce and history that spans over 250 years.

Meet past Royal Worcester Artists and NADFAS conservators who regularly work in the galleries and visit our shop to �nd an ever changing selection of vintage and antique Royal Worcester made on the factory site for sale.

Behind the scenes visits, refreshments, catering and private hire for special occasions available.

MUSEUM OF ROYAL WORCESTER Severn Street, Worcester WR1 2ND: 01905 21247 : 01905 617 [email protected] www.museumofroyalworcester.org

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY March to October: 10am – pm November to February: 10am – 4pmClosed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and occasionally for private functions, please telephone for details.

‘Royal Worcester’ and the C51 crown device are registered by and used under kind permission from Portmeirion Group UK Ltd to whom all rights are reserved.

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