Faringdon

Faringdon, meaning ‘fern-covered-hill’, is a beautiful old market town perched on a ridge between two river valleys, the Ock and the Thames, gracing it with panoramic views of the surrounding area.

With a rich and vibrant history, and a range of hotels, pubs, cafes and shops, Faringdon is an ideal place to visit for a holiday, short break or day out.

Things to do in Faringdon

Faringdon is famed for its Folly Tower, built in 1935 by Lord Berners, the then owner of Faringdon House. This 100ft high tower is the last major Folly to be built in England, and sits on Folly Hill, within a charming 4-acre, circular woodland of splendid Scots pine and broadleaf trees. The Folly Tower is open every first and third Sunday of the month when you can climb to the top to see breathtaking views over five counties. Follow the sculpture trail around the woodland and look out for twenty-four blackbirds, the hidden fairy door, the bridge to nowhere, Cromwell’s cannon and much more. Check out the Faringdon walk and route map that takes you from the town, past the Folly and through the surrounding countryside.

A charter was granted for a weekly market in 1218, with markets continuing to be held every Tuesday in the marketplace.

All Saints’ Church, just off the marketplace, is well worth a visit. It has a rich interior with monuments that reveal the intriguing history of Faringdon. Civil War cannon and musket balls from the battle between the Royalists and Parliamentarians in 1646 are on display inside the church, and there is even a cannonball lodged in the church wall!

Things to do near Faringdon

If you’re looking for a fun family day out, visit some great nearby attractions such as Crocodiles of the World, the UK’s only crocodile zoo with 12 different crocodile species plus lizards, snakes, meerkats and more.

Where is Faringdon?

How to get to Faringdon

S6: Swindon to Faringdon connecting to Oxford

Take the S6 from Oxford to Faringdon
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Royal Cars is Oxford's largest taxi company offering all types of work, from local runs to airport tranfers to long-distance pickups and drop offs, weddings and occasionally have crossed the channel.
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