Discover Faringdon

Faringdon combines expansive landscapes, historic buildings and a variety of paths to create a destination with many different discoveries. The town lies on a ridge between the valleys of the Rivers Ock and Thames and offers wide views of the surrounding area. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth considering the pace of travel you want: should the trip focus mainly on walks and scenery, or are culture, markets and distinctive local details at the heart of your plans?

Landscape and distinctive landmarks

One notable destination is Faringdon Folly Tower. The 100-foot-high tower stands on Folly Hill in a four-acre, circular woodland area with Scots pines and deciduous trees. The woodland also contains numerous sculptures for visitors to seek out and discover. A walk here therefore becomes not just a way of moving through the landscape, but also a small discovery trail with ever-changing viewpoints.

There is one important feature to bear in mind when visiting: the woodland of Faringdon Folly is not public land. However, the public is granted so-called “permissive access” there.

Historic places in the townscape

Faringdon’s cultural history can also be explored through specific buildings. All Saints’ Church dates from the 12th century and is designated as a Grade I listed building because of its exceptional architectural and historic importance. A cannonball is also embedded in the wall at the end of the nave—an unusual detail that connects the visit with a vivid story.

Old Town Hall stands in the Market Place, a building from the late 17th century supported by classical stone columns. It was funded and built through a public subscription after the Civil War. Together with the church, the building offers an insight into different periods and makes a walk through Faringdon interesting for travellers who prefer to discover historic details directly on site.

Circular walks for different day plans

Anyone wishing to explore Faringdon on foot can choose between several formats. The Folly Pink Walk is an approximately 3-mile circular route starting from the Market Place. It leads via Badbury and on to the Folly. The Badbury Blue Walk is longer, at approximately 6 miles, and starts at Southampton Street Car Park. Its route passes through Badbury Hill, Badbury Clump and the National Trust’s Great Coxwell Barn.

The two circular walks therefore offer different options for planning your day, without requiring you to commit to just one way of exploring. A guide to three pushchair-friendly walks around the town is also available for Faringdon. The designated cycling routes all start and finish in Faringdon, so a cycling itinerary can also be centred directly on the town.

Markets and local experiences

A traditional market takes place in the Market Place every Tuesday from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. In addition, there is a monthly farmers’ market on the first Tuesday of each month. Products on offer include cheese, meat products, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and chutneys.

You can also make a note of the following places for your travel plans: Long Wittenham, Mollington, Milcombe, Letcombe Regis, Alvescot, Holton, Clare and Culham.

For the higher-level travel overview: Oxfordshire.