TOURISM INFORMATION
We'll be building up a list of places of interest local to Fox and Hounds that registered users can rate. This will help visitors to the area find the best places to go and might even provide some inspiration for us locals too. If you want more information on any of these, why not pop in and see us - we might have some further literature, advice or even discount tickets for some of them.
Ghosts of Devizes
Candle-lit, horse drawn coach tours of ghostly haunts in Devizes are being launched this winter.
The idea is the brainchild of local company Carriages by Midnight,
which already provides horse drawn carriages for weddings and other
special occasions.
Deborah Noakes, who runs the company that is based just outside
Devizes, said they have bought an 1890s Victoria carriage and are
seeking to evoke the mysterious atmosphere of a Sherlock Holmes
adventure.
She said: "Devizes has some fabulous ghost stories and we just hope to share them.
"Our horses are largely rescue animals that we’ve nursed back to
health and they will be pulling an original carriage which we’ve
restored to its original glory.”
Website
http://www.carriagesbymidnight.co.uk
5 recommends
Avebury
World-famous stone circle and on-site museum at the heart of a prehistoric landscape
In
the 1930s, the pretty village of Avebury, partially encompassed by the
stone circle of this World Heritage Site, was witness to the excavations
of archaeologist Alexander Keiller. Keiller opened the museum here to display his findings in 1938 in the old stable building of Avebury Manor where he lived.
In
re-erecting many of the stones, Keiller uncovered the true wonder of
one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe. You can see
his fascinating finds on display in the museum, still housed in the
stables but now also in the 17th-century threshing barn, where
interactive displays and activities for children bring the landscape to
life.
Avebury Manor has just reopened following a major transformation for a new BBC series entitled The Manor Reborn.
Website
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury/
6 recommends
Caen Hill Locks
The flight of 29 locks were engineer John Rennie's solution to
climbing the very steep hill in Devizes, and were the last part of the
87 mile route of the Kennet and Avon canal to be completed.
Because of the steepness of the terrain there was not the space to
use the normal arrangement of water pounds between the locks. As a
result, 16 of the locks utilise unusually large side ponds to store the
water needed to operate.
Boaters and walkers alike can recover from the exertions of climbing
the flight at the Caen Hill Cafe, delightfully situated at the top of
the locks.
Website
http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/things-to-do/
7 recommends
Farleigh Hungerford Castle
In a picturesque valley of the river Frome, on the border between
Wiltshire and Somerset and nine miles from Bath stands the remains of
Farleigh Hungerford Castle.
Started in the 14th century it still has much for the visitor to enjoy
and provides a great day out for families with children, couples and
even walkers enjoying the beautiful surrounding countryside.
This fortified mansion was occupied for 300 years by the remarkable
Hungerford family and today their intriguing, yet sometimes gruesome
stories are told through graphic interpretation panels and a free audio
tour.
There are many hidden treasures- the chapel with rare medieval wall
paintings and family tombs; extensive displays in the Priest’s house;
and for those who are brave enough to enter the crypt, there’s the best
collection of human-shaped lead coffins in Britain.
Website
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/propert
5 recommends
Wadworth Visitor Centre
Sample
the delights of our beers and discover the history and heritage of
Wadworth brewing in our FREE, interactive Visitor Centre, featuring:
* Interactive brewing process exhibition & Wadworth brewing memorabilia
* An insight into ‘a year in the life of the Wadworth Shire Horses’
* Products created from the fair hand of the UK’s only remaining Master Brewery Cooper
* The impressive hand painted pub signs of our in-house sign writing team
* Wadworth shop with exclusive gifts and merchandise
*Mezzanine bar where 1/3 pint tasters can be purchased.
Website
http://www.wadworthvisitorcentre.co.uk
3 recommends
