Things to do and see

Bath is just a short drive from Hatt Farm. "The World Heritage Site of Bath and the stunning countryside surrounding it is one of England's most beautiful places to visit. Bath, England, is a unique city; its hot springs, Roman Baths, splendid Abbey and Georgian stone crescents have attracted visitors for centuries. Set in rolling Somerset countryside, just over 100 miles west of London, it is a beautiful and unforgettable place to visit."(www.visitbath.org)

 

Bradford on Avon

Hatt Farm is 5 miles from Bradford-on-Avon, which is one of the most picturesque towns in Wiltshire. It's mellow stonework and twisting streets of weaver's cottages lie peacefully in a steep valley of the River Avon.The beautiful fourteenth century bridge over the river, bears a tiny chapel which was subsequently converted to a town lock-up.

The town of Bradford-on-Avon has a magnificent tithe barn which was built in the fourteenth century for Shaftesbury Abbey, the largest and richest Benedictine nunnery in England. The tiny bare church of St Lawrence is the jewel in Bradford-on-Avon's crown; one of the best preserved Anglo-Saxon churches in England, it dates from the tenth century and stands on the site of a church founded by St Aldhelm in about 700AD.

The Kennet and Avon canal runs through the town of Bradford-on-Avon and forms a wonderful backdrop for lesiure activities; hire a canal boat, or walk or cycle along the towpath.

 

Box

The parish of Box covers an area of seven square miles. The oldest settlement dates from well before the arrival of the Romans.

Stone was quarried here in the eighth century and by the end of the nineteenth century the Box stone quarries were among the most productive in the world.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's railway tunnel at Box, was completed in 1841 and is rightly famous for inspiring the Rev. Awdry- who lived in the village - to create "Thomas the Tank Engine". The surrounding countryside and Bybrook still inspire the creative spirit and Peter Gabriel has his sound studios here. The village has a Post Office, a Chemists, a Newsagents, a village shop and 8' till late Co-op. Hatt Farm is one and half miles from the centre of Box village.

 

Corsham

Corsham is an historic market town at the south western extreme of the Cotswolds.

Corsham was a centre for agriculture and later the wool industry and remains a focus for quarrying Bath Stone. It contains several notable historic buildings, such as the stately home of Corsham Court. In World War II and the Cold War it became a major administrative and manufacturing centre for the Ministry of Defence with numerous establishments both above ground and in the old quarries.

Leisure Activities

Golf:

Kingsdown Golf Course is right beside Hatt Farm. Our fields adjoin the course which was founded in 1880, and is one of the oldest in the country. It has an established reputation as a friendly club and the course is a test for even the best golfers.

Bowood Golf course is near to the town of Chippenham, which is a short drive from Hatt Farm. This is also the site of the famous Bowood adventure park, which is always a big hit with children aged 13 or under.

Bowood is also famous for its large-scale adventure playground and house. This makes a wonderful day out for any family.

 

Cycling:

Hatt Farm looks after its cyclists by providing safe and secure storage and the use of a drying room. Picnics and packed lunches can be made by prior arrangement. Mike is a very keen cyclist having cycled the Argos in South Africa, across Cuba and last year Lands End to John O'Groats - he will be able to give you the flat cycle rides and the hilly ones!!!

 

Walking:

Like our cyclists, walkers are well catered for at Hatt Farm. Picnics and packed lunches can be made by prior arrangement and there is a drying room for those inclement days. You can find books in our guest lounge with detailed plans of walks and Carol is a keen walker herself and will be happy to provide information on the 7,500 paths in Wiltshire. The Macmillan way runs through Hatt Farm and is a long distance footpath.

 

Gardens

Relax in Hatt Farm's own garden. Enjoy a picnic and/or a glass of wine in our wonderful Cotswold setting. Also see Picture gallery for further photo's.

Iford Manor lies within a truly magical Grade I listed garden by a medieval bridge across the River Frome. The gardens are terraced on a steep hillside and lead to a beech wood. The landscape architect and desgner Harold Peto lived here and designed the garden in the Italian style, with a cloister, sanctuary, summer houses and colonnade. Iford wins many accolades and has been voted 'Garden of the Year'.

Abbey House Gardens is a privately owned garden next to Malmesbury Abbey. The tranquility of this monastic garden with its recreational fish ponds is a joy. Visit the spring bulbs, Daffodils and over 70,000 tulips.

 

Stourhead gardens has enchanting lakes and temples, rare trees and plants is one of the most famous examples of the early eighteenth century English landscape movement. Wander around the 90 acres delighting in the beauty and splendour of the garden and enjoying the seasonal change from Spring Daffodils, through stunning Rhododendrons to blazing Autumn colour.

 

Historical

Stonehenge is arguably one of the most important neolithic monuments in the world. Situated on the Salisbury plain and approx a half hour's drive from Hatt Farm.

 

Avebury is one of the largest stone circles in Europe and was built over 4000 years ago. It can be found near to the town of Marlborough, which is approx. a half hour's drive from Hatt Farm.

 

Lacock is a small picturesque village that has not changed much two hundred years. Often used in films and TV dramas, because the village is so authentically old fashioned - see how many tv aerials you can see! Lacock also has Wiltshire's oldest pub. Lacock Abbey - the home of the inventor of the camera and a fourteenth century tithe barn.

 

Thermae Bath spa: Visitors to Bath are once again bathing in the natural thermal waters of Bath. Visit the now world famous Bath Spa and enjoy the hot waters from under Bath, in one of three different spa pools.