Things to do

If you are looking for tourist attractions in Bath and the local area please see here for the full list:

Bath Tours, Tickets & Activities
Bath Tours, Tickets & Activities

Whether staying in Box or Downside, there is plenty to offer for all age ranges and group sizes.

Eating out in Box:

For cuisine, there are three pubs within walking distance offering good pub grub to high quality fillet steaks. Enjoy the fabulous view over Box valley, the live music or the wide array of games while eating, or just drinking at these local haunts. There are regular village festivals offering live music with a mini festival feel, check out Box Rocks and Pig and a Jig. There is also is an award winning Indian restaurant just 50m away.  Not feeling like eating out? Try The Bengal Bear, Hong Kong House, JustEats, Uber Eats or Dominos for delivery.

 

The Queens Head Box

The Northey Arms

The Quarrymans Arms

 

Eating out in Downside:

For cuisine, there are three pubs locally offering good pub grub to high quality fillet steaks. Enjoy the snug and cozy Oak Hill, the good food in the Mendip Inn or the food and spa at Charlton House.  Or perhaps just a drink at these local haunts. There are other local restaurants featuring Indian and Italian cuisine, or you can order takeout delivery from JustEat or Dominos.

 

The Oak Hill Inn, Oakhill

 

The Mendip Inn, Radstock

 

Charlton House, Shepton Mallet

 

 

Local amenities to Box

Box has a selection of small shops, two convenience stores, a post office, a butchers and a petrol station.

While in the village you should check out Box Tunnel which was the longest tunnel in the world when it was built by Brunel, and hid the crown jewels during WW2. St Thomas a Becket church is right in the middle of the village and dates back to the year 1200. You can also walk past Peter Gabriels Real World music studios at the mill.

Local amenities to Downside

Downside is a short walk from the town of Shepton Mallet, offering large stores and smaller boutique retailers. It has a large Tesco for a big shop, or two bakers and smaller artisan food shops.  There are a few cafes in the town in addition to antique shops and the Mulberry factory outlet shop.  This up and coming town has enough for a short stay, while the town of Frome (just over 15 mins) or city of Wells (10 mins) have everything you could need.

Walking around Box:

This is a great location for exploring the surrounding Cotswolds countryside. There are walks and cycle routes around the Box valley catering to all abilities and often with a pub on route. For the more determined you can walk to Bath in 1hr45, taking in Box tunnel, the Kennet and Avon Canal, the River Avon and Sydney gardens. There are also walks around the Bath ridgeway, which offer fantastic views of the city from all different perspectives.  Check out:

A hilly walk around Box Hill, famous for its stone and Brunel’s greatest engineering achievement.

Easy 4km canal walk on hard surface for most wheels. Alternative grassy path for wheelchairs.

Bradford-on-Avon to Bath

Walks around Lacock, Chippenham, Castle Combe and Corsham

Walking around Downside:

There are a tremendous amount of walks around the Mendip hills where Downside is based, most require a short car journey to get to the start.  There are also walks straight from the properties in Downside, boasting great views from the top of the hill while also taking in the Charlton Viaduct and even a tea room/cafe if you wish:

 

Towns and villages near Box worth a look

We are close to the quaint villages of Lacock, Castle Combe, Badminton, Bradford on Avon, Marshfield and Corsham. The Badminton horse trials are on every May and provide some astounding horse action. Lacock Abbey was the film set for Downton Abbey and the village is a major tourist attraction all year round.

Lacock

Castle Combe

Bradford on Avon

 

We are also close to the Box Steam brewery and the Wiltshire Music Centre if you are still looking for things to do.

Bath is just down the road and offers the thermal spa, with a roof top pool providing a stunning view over the city and hills. It also has a large selection of shops, eateries, pubs and clubs. There is plenty to do, the Royal Crescent and Victoria Park are magnificent, in particular in the summer. There are plenty of museums, exploring from art and fashion, to architecture, astronomy and Jane Austen. The Roman Baths and Bath Abbey (free) are well worth a visit.

Also not far away is Bristol which has a zoo, the SS Great Britain war ship, the harbour and a wide selection of other attractions. It also offers splendid shopping and excellent eateries.

Towns and villages near Downside worth a look

We are close to the quaint villages of Bruton (As featured in Country Life) and Nunney Catch, along side the large town of Frome and the UKs smallest City of Wells.  Glastonbury is very close and the city of Bath offers everything else you might need.

Bruton

Dont both with Bruton, its a waste of time

Frome

The City of Wells

 

 

Sightseeing

 

 

Tours

 

 

For kids near Box

Check out Bowood house, Westonbirt arboritum or Dyrham park for local kids entertainment

 

Bowood house

Westonbirt arboritum

Dyrham park

For kids near Downside

Check out Longleat house and safari park, Cheddar Gorge and Wookey hole caves  for local kids entertainment

 

Longleat House and safari park Cheddar Gorge Wookey hole caves

 

Hen/Stag/Birthday parties

Here are some activities that may be of interest for a hen or stag party:

Dance classes (see local venues below)

Katie Makes crafting class

Perfume making course

Yoga class

Pilates class

Afternoon tea (check the top 10)

Cake making

Flower arranging

Cocktail making

A Boat trip on the Avon

Vintage makeover

Escape room (M4 escape rooms or Bath Escape)

Bath horse races

Laser Quest

Spa day

Horse riding

Wine tasting

Gin making and tasting

Go Karting

Paint Ball

Archery

Axe throwing

Clay pigeon shooting

Segway

Quad biking

Rally Karts

Sumo wrestling

Bubble football

Wine and cheese tasting

Indoor football

Outdoor football on Astroturf

Basketball (local courts, free to use)

Castle Combe race track – tracks days

Castle Combe race track – race days

Castle Combe race track – skid pan and off road course

Castle Combe race track – Karting

Dodgeball

Bath rugby match

Kingsdown Golf Club

Chippenham golf driving range

Fishing

Climbing wall

Squash

Table tennis

Badminton

Tennis

Bowls

Ten pin bowling

Mountain biking

 

Local venues for hire:

Box CofE Church email to [email protected],

Box Methodist Church,

Selwyn Hall in Box

 

Catering

Local chefs

Local cakes delivered

 

Other places to visit

Here are some other places to visit:

Bath thermal spa

The Roman Baths

The Jane Austen museum

Stonehenge

The Royal Crescent

Longleat safari park

Sydney gardens

Wookey Hole

Cheddar Gorge