Friends of Nature UK houses in Great Britain

Why not come and stay in the beautiful Vale of the White Horse. Take a look at the following information about the hostel and if you need any further advice please do not hesitate to contact us.

Margaret

The Centre:
The Court Hill Centre enjoys breathtaking views over the Vale of White Horse. In an idyllic rural setting, reclaimed barns surround a pretty courtyard garden on the site of a disused rubbish dump! It is an ideal stop for the Ridgeway Walker, as a base for local day walks and for cyclists and those interested in the countryside and ancient history. It is well suited to individuals, families and groups large and small.. .

Opening hours:
Reception is open from 7.30am to 10.00am and from 5.00pm to 10.30pm. Our "Barn Tea Rooms" are open from 10.30am to 5.00pm. Many people just sit and enjoy the peace and views from the grounds!

Open Season:
We are open all year (except Christmas), but pre-booking is essential.

Bedrooms:
59 beds in 1x2, 6x4, 1x5, 1x6, 1x9 and bed rooms. All bedding is provided. Most rooms have a wash basins. There are 6 showers and 7 toilets. A room plan is available here.

Meals:
Guests have the choice of either using our kitchen facilities or taking meals and breakfasts from our menus. Vegetarian meals are always available, and we use as much local produce as possible. Picnic lunches are also available.

The Centre's kitchen is very well equipped with 1 gas hob, 2 domestic sized cookers with ovens and grills, a large microwave, and 2 fridges. All cooking utensils are provided. There is room to seat 50 in the dining areas.

Lounge:
We have 2 lounges with comfortable seating, one with a wood burning stove and a small library and television in the other. There are board games and cards for the evenings.

Shopping:
The Centre does not not sell provisions, but the supermarkets in Wantage are open until 8 pm Monday - Saturday and until 6 pm on Sundays.

Car parking:
We have a parking area suitable for 30 cars, and our car park can easily accommodate a coach.

Other facilities:
A drying room with electric heater and de-humidifier, WiFi internet access available on request, a payphone for national and international calls and a lockable cycle shed.
A Classroom/Function Room and Tipis are also available for hire.

Smoking:
For the comfort of all our guests smoking is not permitted anywhere in the Centre buildings.

Local Attractions and Activities

Beautiful Countryside, Panoramic Views,
Ancient Sites, Miles of Quiet Lanes and Trails...
** Friends of Nature UK Court Hill Centre Has It All **

Walking and Cycling:
*   Friends of Nature UK Court Hill Centre is a popular stopping point on the Ridgeway National Trail and is an ideal base for exploring the countryside and attractions by bicycle or public transport.

*  The Oxfordshire Cycleway passes nearby. Click here for details of ALL the cycle routes in England.

*   The walker and cyclist are well catered for with miles of footpaths and quiet lanes to explore.

Some local attractions and places of interest
to whet your appetite:
*  Wantage has an interesting museum, and a useful variety of shops.

*  Historic Oxford is a short drive or bus ride away and London with its profusion of art galleries, museums and theatres is also within reach for a day trip. Bus and train timetables are available at reception and we will be happy to help you plan your routes.

*  Uffington White Horse. One of Britain's oldest chalk hill figures. Nearby is Dragon Hill, where St George did battle with the dragon!

*  Waylands Smithy is a further mile along the Ridgeway beyond the White Horse. It is an impressive long barrow shrouded in legend.

*  Avebury (app 25 miles) An amazing stone circle, bigger and arguably more magical than Stonehenge. With nearby Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, well worth a visit!

*  Didcot Railway Centre (10 miles) The museum of the Great Western Railway. Running steam trains regularly through the year.

*  Legoland (25 miles) A theme park and a world famous display of models.

*  Horse riding (5 miles) Ambitions Equestrian Center is a friendly, family run stables, offering horse riding on the beautiful Berkshire Downs.

*  Bike Hire We have 8 mountain bikes for hire on site, and routes can be downloaded, (with OS maps) from our own website.

* A leaflet with five local circular walks is available here.

How to find us:
The Centre is just off the A338, 2 miles south of Wantage, or 200m north of The Ridgeway National Trail. Buses run from Oxford and Didcot to Wantage, . The nearest railway stations are Didcot (10 miles) and Oxford (16 miles).

OS Grid Ref: SU 393 849 - OS 1:25,000 Explorer Map 170 - OS 1:50,000 Landranger Map 174
Geo-coordinates: 51.562083 -1.433333

Enquiries and Reservations:
Write to: The Court Hill Centre, Court Hill, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9NE
E-mail: courthill@naturefriends.org.uk
Reception is open from 7.30am to 10.00am and from 5.00pm to 10.30pm.
Telephone: +44 (0)1235 760253 (answerphone during closed periods)
FAX: +44 (0)1235 767433

PLEASE NOTE:
Friends of Nature UK and IFN members will be charged £1pppn off the normal accommodation prices providing their IFN membership card is shown at the time of check-in.