Faringdon & the Vale of White Horse
Faringdon is a historic market town in the Vale of White Horse, roughly eighteen miles south west of Oxford and twelve miles east of Swindon. It sits between the River Thames and the chalk ridge of the Ridgeway, which gives the countryside its gentle, far-reaching views. Here are our favourite things to see, do, eat and drink.
The town grew up around its triangular Market Place, still the heart of the community and the setting for a regular market. Around it are handsome stone buildings, independent shops and the imposing All Saints Church, parts of which date back to the twelfth century. Faringdon was the westernmost town of old Berkshire until the 1974 boundary changes brought it into Oxfordshire.
It also has a quietly progressive streak: in 2004 it became the first place in the south east of England to be awarded Fairtrade Town status. In the twentieth century it was home to the eccentric composer and artist Lord Berners, whose playful spirit still colours the town, from the folly tower on the hill to the tales of dyed pigeons at his nearby house.
Exploring the area
Ancient hill figures, a William Morris masterpiece, a wonderful wildlife park, medieval barns and grand country houses, all close by. Seasonal places change their hours, so a quick check on the day is always worth it.
Faringdon's most distinctive landmark. This 100-foot tower was built in 1935 by the eccentric Lord Berners, the last great folly raised in England. Climb the staircase for sweeping views over five counties, and spot the quirky sculptures, including a giraffe, in the surrounding woodland.
A breathtaking medieval tithe barn built around 1292 for the Cistercian monks of Beaulieu Abbey. Its soaring proportions led William Morris to call it unapproachable in its dignity, often described as a cathedral of agriculture. Free to visit, open daily.
An elegant eighteenth-century mansion set in renowned Italianate water gardens by Harold Peto. The Faringdon Collection holds Old Masters by Rembrandt, Rubens and Botticelli, and Pre-Raphaelite works including Burne-Jones's Briar Rose series.
One of Britain's most magical ancient sites: a stylised chalk horse cut into the hillside around 3,000 years ago, the oldest hill figure in the country. The hill is crowned by the Iron Age ramparts of Uffington Castle and overlooks the curious flat-topped Dragon Hill.
A beautiful Tudor farmhouse of 1570 on the upper Thames, beloved as the country home of William Morris, who called it heaven on earth. Inside are original Morris & Co. interiors and textiles; the riverside gardens inspired some of his most famous designs.
A superb 160-acre wildlife park around a Victorian manor, home to rhinos, giraffes, lions, penguins, lemurs and meerkats, with beautiful gardens, a tropical house and a narrow-gauge railway. One of the best family days out in the area.
In town
Visitor questions
Faringdon is a historic market town in the Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds. It lies roughly eighteen miles south west of Oxford, twelve miles east of Swindon and ten miles north west of Wantage.
Highlights include the Faringdon Folly Tower, the medieval Great Coxwell Barn, Buscot Park and the Faringdon Collection, and a walkable Market Place with independent shops, cafes and pubs. The Uffington White Horse, Kelmscott Manor and Cotswold Wildlife Park are all a short drive away.
Yes. Faringdon sits on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, with Burford, Lechlade and the upper Thames close by, making it a quieter and often better-value base than the busier Cotswold towns.
The town centre is compact and walkable, with Tesco, the Market Place and the Folly all within a short stroll of the flat. A car is helpful for the wider attractions, and there is free parking at the flat.