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Day Tour of Picturesque Villages

Starting from Chippenham, drive to Castle Combe for coffee and Biddestone for lunch.
Return via Corsham, with a visit to the historic Corsham Court, back to your base at Chippenham.

BY CAR

Exit Bath Road car park (Chippenham) and turn right, then left under the bridge on the A429 signposted to Cirencester (A420 Bristol). Go straight over the roundabout and continue on the A420. Turn right on to the B4039 to Castle Combe (4 miles), past the Golf Academy Driving Range on the right.

Castle Combe Racing Circuit (image owned by Castle Combe Circuit)Approaching the village, Castle Combe Racing Circuit is situated on the left. The Circuit hosts twelve race meetings a year from Formula Three to Saloons (telephone 01249 782929 for programme details) and weekend courses using kart track and skid pan can be booked by telephoning 01249 783010 . For more information visit www.drivetechltd.co.uk.

At Castle Combe, park at the top of village in the available car park and walk down the hill into the main part of the village. The village is set on a hillside and the main street, with stone cottages on each side, descends to an attractive stream and quay. As you walk down the hill you will see The Museum on the right, open Easter - 1st October, on Sundays and Bank Holidays only from 14.00 - 17.00. On the right, opposite The Dower House, is the start of a trail (open all year) through land at Coltham Farm, where you can see how organic farming works. For more information on Castle Combe visit www.castle-combe.com.

The Manor House Hotel (image owned by the Hotel)On reaching the Market Cross, you have the choice of The White Hart and Castle Inn for some thing to eat and drink. Coffee and lunches are also available at The Manor House, now an attractive four star hotel. (Public toilets are available).

RETURN

Biddestone Village (credit: David Pegden)Return to your car and drive back through the village turning left at the Market Cross. On reaching the A420 crossroads, carry on straight over and turn left at The White Hart. Continue through Slaughterford to Biddestone which is a typical English village set around a duck pond and village green. The village has some beautiful old houses and two pubs, all of which are built from Cotswold stone. The Biddestone Arms and The White Horse Inn both serve lunches.

Follow the signs to Corsham and park at one of the three car parks. An illustrated guide of the town can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre in the High Street. (Public toilets are available at the shopping precinct).
Lunch may be obtained from one of the many eating places in the town.

Lady Margaret Hungerford AlmshousesVisit the Lady Margaret Hungerford Almshouses and Schoolroom, a most attractive and unique complex of 17th Century Almshouses, Schoolroom with original 17th Century furniture and Exhibition Room, Warden's House and Stables.

Corsham Court (image owned by Corsham Court)Follow the signs to Corsham Court, the stately home of the Methuen family, which dates from 1582. It contains a collection of old masters paintings and fine furniture. The spacious grounds and parkland were laid out by Capability Brown and Repton.

The House is open from 20th March - 30th September daily between 14.00 - 17.30, excluding Mondays and Fridays but including Bank Holidays.
From the 1st October - 19th March the House is open weekends from 14.00 - 16.30, excluding December. Admission:
House and Garden - £6.50 for adults, £5.00 for senior citizen and £3.00 for children.
Gardens only - £2.50 for adults, £2.00 for senior citizens and £1.50 children.
Car parking is available. Dogs onleads are welcome in the garden only. The grounds have been partially adapted for the disabled.

For more information visit www.corsham-court.co.uk.

Return to Chippenham taking A4.