There are many wonderful walks and bridleways in the area which can be accessed from our doorstep. We have stabling here to bring your horse, and we also have well stocked coarse fishing lakes.

The Royal Oak

The 17th Century Inn in Eydon, 1 mile from Crockwell, is run by Justin and Bronni Le Fevré. It has gained an excellent reputation with people traveling far to experience the award winning food served from within its unique surroundings

To reserve a table call 01327 263167

Beyond Crockwell there are many attractions in the area.
Click on section for a detailed list

Castles and Country Houses

Althorp Telephone: 01604 770107 www.althorp.com

Famous more recently as the family home and final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Spencers have lived here for nearly five centuries. It is a handsome house with little exterior ostentation, but sits beautifully in its landscape.

Typical journey time by car 35 minutes.

Blenheim Palace Telephone: 08700 602080 www.blenheimpalace.com

Home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Built in recognition of John Churchill's (the 1st Duke) great victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim. Blenheim Palace was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and is possibly the finest example of the English baroque style in the country. There are magnificent gilded staterooms and a large collection of tapestries, paintings, sculpture and furniture. The gardens include an arboretum, water terraces, maze and Italian garden.

Typical journey time by car is 50 minutes.

Broughton Castle Telephone: 01295 276070 www.broughtoncastle.com

A medieval manor house, later transformed into a Tudor mansion, surrounded by a wide moat and parkland. There is a tea room and a shop, the house and gardens are open from 1 May to 15 September on Wednesdays & Sundays 2.00 – 5.00 pm.

Typical journey time by car is 30 minutes.

Canons Ashby House Telephone: 01327 861900 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Is a romantic 16th century Elizabethan manor house, which has survived almost unaltered since around 1710. Home of the Dryden family since it was built, the house sits amongst beautiful gardens. It is a National Trust property with a tea room. Please check opening times, and note they are NOT open on Thursdays and Fridays.

Typical journey time by car is 5 minutes.

Farnborough Hall Telephone: 01295 690002 wwww.nationaltrust.org.uk

A honey-coloured stone house with exquisite plasterwork and fine landscaped gardens. It is open from April to September on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 2.30 til 5pm.

Typical journey time by car is 15 minutes.

Sulgrave Manor Telephone: 01295 760205 www.sulgravemanor.org.uk

The manor was home to the ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. It is an unassuming Tudor manor house and garden but beautifully cared for.

Typical journey time by car is 10 minutes.

Warwick Castle Telephone: 08704 422000 www.warwick-castle.co.uk

Undoubtedly the finest medieval castle and garrison in England, it is also a good starting point to explore the town centre of Warwick too. Famous for its ramparts and towers, they stood Richard Neville, Kingmaker and Earl of Warwick, in good stead in the 15th century. The Victorian rose garden has been lovingly restored and in high summer is highly perfumed. The parkland was landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.

Typical journey time by car is 50 minutes. Back to Top

Gardens Open to the Public

Coton Manor Gardens Telephone: 01604 740219 www.cotonmanor.co.uk

Coton is frequently featured in garden magazines, national newspapers and on television. Originally laid out in 1925, it is landscaped on different levels and divided into a series of smaller gardens, with a wide range of unusual planting, affording contrasts and surprises as it gradually unfolds. There is even a five-acre bluebell wood flowering in late April / early May.

Typical Journey time by car is 50 minutes

Stowe Gardens Telephone: 01280 822850 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

One of the finest Georgian landscaped gardens, made up of valleys and vistas, narrow lakes and rivers, with more than 30 temples and monuments, designed by many of the leading architects of the 18th century. At the centre is Stowe House, occupied by Stowe School, and all around is Stowe Park.

Typical journey time by car is 30 minutes.

The National Herb Centre Telephone: 01295 690999 www.herbcentre.co.uk

Certainly worth a look if you like your herbs. It overlooks a charming valley and has a really good selection of over 500 herbs. It is good for planting ideas, for the cook, alternative medicine and the plantsman. The Centre regularly holds meetings for the British Herb Trade Association, Aromatherapy Trade Council and the Herb Society.

Typical journey time by car is 30 minutes. Back to Top

Shopping Areas

Bicester Village Outlet Shopping Telephone: 01869 323200 www.Bicestervillage.com

Up to 60% off retail from some of the best designers. Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren, Versace, MaxMara, Burberry, Dunhill, Calvin Klein, Karen Millen, Farhi and Zegna sell their end of season lines here.

Typical journey time by car is 45 minutes.

Heart of the Shires Telephone: 01327 349249

About 20 retailers in converted farm buildings, two miles north of Weedon. Gallery, cookware, pottery, quilts, shoes, tea rooms and gift shops make up an eclectic and somewhat charming mix, representing an enjoyable diversion for hotel guests and the keen shopper.

Typical journey time by car is 20 minutes.

Royal Leamington Spa and Milton Keynes

The two shopping towns of note in the region. As one might expect, the latter is excellent for the major stores such as John Lewis and House of Fraser. It is one of the largest undercover shopping centres in the UK. Leamington Spa is 30 minutes away and has a greater concentration of smaller, high-quality, independent retailers. Take in lunch if you visit Leamington and see the impressive Pump Room, which has been refurbished and now houses the library and art gallery.
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Stratford-upon-Avon

A world-class destination. Shakespeare was born in the town in 1564 and died in the town in 1616. There are many houses, museums and attractions in and around Stratford.

Royal Shakespeare Company

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is probably the most famous classical theatre company in the world. It operates three theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon. The 1412-seat Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the 432-seat Swan Theatre and the flexible seating studio theatre called The Other Place The ticket hotline number is 08706 091110 and is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Backstage tours are fun and can be booked on 01789 403492.

Typical journey time by car is 50 minutes.

Oxford

Oxford has a charisma all of its own. Famous for dreaming spires and ancient colleges of mellow golden stone. It is packed with chic restaurants, bistros and bars, traditional pubs and attractions. The best way to explore Oxford is on foot, there are official walking tours every day that take in all the sites. These can be booked by calling 01865 252200 or by visiting website www.visitoxford.org

Typical journey time by car is 50 minutes.

Cotswolds

We are situated at the gateway to the Cotswolds and area of outstanding natural beauty. For further information please refer to www.cotswolds.com

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Sport and Recreation

Fishing

Coarse Fishing: You can of course take advantage of the fishing lakes at Crockwell Farm for coarse fishing (providing there are no matches booked) – day tickets cost £6.00 per peg – please check with us for availability

Cricket

Northamptonshire Cricket Club is located in Northampton town, as you might expect. The season generally starts in mid-April and continues until the third week of September. NCL starts at 1:00 pm on Sundays when they are playing, county championship matches at 11:00 am and international fixtures at 10:45 am.

Motor Racing

The area is steeped in the history of motor racing. Many racing teams are located in the area, such as BAR, ProDrive, Jaguar Racing and Jordan to name but a few. The racing teams have been clearly influenced by the local presence of Silverstone Race Circuit and the Formula One Grand Prix.

  • Silverstone Race Circuit: Needs no introduction, it being the home of the British Formula One Grand Prix. It is only 15 minutes away.
  • Silverstone Drive: Based at Silverstone Race Circuit. Here you can be taught to race single seaters, rally cars, Lotus's, Caterhams, Porsches and indoor go-karting. There is a skid pan at Silverstone Drive too.
  • Whilton Mill: Also offers a National Karting Circuit but on an outdoor track. There are two circuits: one short, one long. Whilton also does quad bikes, hovercrafts, clay pigeon shooting, team-building events and archery and is about 25 minutes away.
  • Manor Farm Sports, Adstone: Quad bikes and clay pigeon shooting. About 5 minutes by car.

Golf

There is a good selection of courses within a 30-minute radius of Crockwell Farm. Booking is advisable in all instances.

  • Collingtree Park – On the outskirts of Northampton, this well-known championship golf course held the British Masters two years in a row. Fairly flat course. Players are required to have their handicap card with them. 18 holes, 6277 yards, par 72 Telephone: 01604 700000
  • Farthingstone – The course sits between two woods in a small valley deep in the Northamptonshire countryside. 18 hole course, 6299 yards, 70 par Telephone: 01327 361533
  • Hellidon Lakes – Pretty location on an escarpment overlooking the Warwickshire countryside. The main course sits in a natural amphitheatre and runs down the hill on the first nine. 27 holes, 5609/2694 yards, 71 /35 Par. Telephone: 01327 262551
  • Staverton Park – PGA championship course, American-style greens and bunkers, undulating parkland, 28½ years old. 18 holes, 6195 yards, 71 Par Telephone: 01327 705506

Horse Racing

The nearest horse racing track is in Towcester, about 25 minutes away. Its season starts in October and ends in May when it has three evening races. National Hunt races are held two to three times a month throughout this period, weekdays and weekends. Telephone: 01327 353414

Horse Riding

Paddocks Farm Riding School run by Celia Percival is based in Woodford Halse, approximately 5 minutes by car. Group hacks can be arranged (riders must be accompanied), and will be about 2 hours long Adults, children and disabled riders are all welcome, please phone for availability Tel: 01327 26172

Bring your own horse – we have stabling onsite, and there are lovely rides all around the farm. There is a cross country course on the neighbouring land, Foxhill Farm, which can be hired by arrangement.

Rugby Football

  • Rugby School is the birthplace of rugby football. The town is only 35 minutes away, and the museum tells the story of the game of rugby and its most famous sons. It is certainly worth a visit. The famous school was the scene for Tom Brown's Schooldays, the home of the poet Rupert Brooke and was the school that educated Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland. Telephone: 01788 556109
  • Northampton RFC 'The Saints' play in the Allied Dunbar Premiership One and are consistently one of the top English clubs, with many international players in the team. Sturtridge Pavilion, Franklin's Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton NN5 5BG Telephone: 01604 751543 / 581000

Shooting

  • Honesberie Shooting: 15 minutes away in pretty Warwickshire countryside in Priors Marston. Clay, individual and group shooting lessons. Nick Hollick, the owner, represented England and Great Britain. Telephone: 01327 260302 / 07973 839844
  • Manor Farm Sports, Adstone: Clay pigeon shooting and quad bikes. About 5 minutes away.

Sailing, Windsurfing and Waterskiing

Banbury Sailing Club located at Boddington Reservoir. The Club is an RYA registered Training Centre and runs a number of courses for members, including adult Start Sailing and more advanced courses, together with Power and Safety Boat courses. The Club also runs a very vibrant and busy Junior Section. To find out more please look at the website: www.banburysailing.org.uk/about.htm.

Typical journey time by car is 10 minutes. Back to Top

When staying at Crockwell you will find a wealth of activities and places to see and do in the Northamptonshire and nearby Oxfordshire countryside