The picturesque village of Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor has the very best of town and country on its doorstep. Residents at our Southmoor Gardens development can unwind in the Vale of the White Horse’s green fields or immerse themselves in the historic culture of Oxford, just 10 miles away and brimming with things to see and do.

The towns of Abingdon, Witney, Faringdon and Wantage, all worth repeated visits, are also close by as is the wonderful Blenheim Palace.

To offer you a taster of life in Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, we have compiled a list of ten of our favourite things to do and places to visit around and about. Have we missed something? Share your own favourite attractions with us at sales@bluecedarhomes.co.uk and on Facebook.

Blenheim Palace

Find it: Blenheim Palace Grounds, Woodstock OX20 1UL

How lucky to be so close to one the top attractions in the country. Situated in Woodstock, home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, set within more than 2000 acres of parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. The Palace has some of the finest collections of antique furniture in Europe.

Contact Blenheim Palace: www.blenheimpalace.com

Abingdon on Thames

Find it: online guide www.abingdon.gov.uk/things-do-0  Abingdon on Thames

If you are lucky enough to have an old MG tucked away in your garage at Southmoor Gardens, you’ll definitely want to take it on a pilgrimage to Abingdon, the Home of MG cars. The factory is no longer there, but the clubhouse donated to the MG Car Club by Cecil Kimber is still in use and boasts an ever-growing range of MG objects of interest. Abingdon is not just MG though. Quite possibly England’s oldest town, it has many ‘living traditions’ such as its famous Bun-Throwing ceremony and the midsummer Election of the Mock Mayor of Ock Street in which the town is said to ‘come alive with Morris Dancing and mayhem’.

Oxford City

Find it: Online Oxford City guide www.oxfordcity.co.uk

It will take our Southmoor Gardens residents’ years to take in all that Oxford has to offer. Still best known of course for its university, The City of Dreaming Spires is now a bustling cosmopolitan place that’s as good for a wander and a long lunch as it is for a full-on shopping extravaganza. The new Westgate Shopping Centre has all the big brands and tons of parking while the covered market retains a genuine old-world charm – and the best meat and vegetables! So, whether you wish to visit one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, go out for a drink or a meal, watch a show or shop till you drop, Oxford has it all.

The White Hart at Fyfield

Find it: Main Road, Fyfield, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5LW

Who would not want to live near a ’foodies paradise’? Well at Southmoor Gardens you are in luck with The White Hart in Fyfield continuing to garner rave reviews in all the best places. The Oxford Times called it ‘paradise’ while the Oxford Mail’s reviewer was similarly awe struck. She said she enjoyed ‘One of the most memorable meals in recent history. Every dish was faultless and my fellow diners marked each course 10/10’.

Contact: Tel 01865 390585 www.whitehart-fyfield.com/

Buscot Park

Find it: Buscot Park, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8BU

A family home to visit from your new family home. Lord Faringdon lives in and looks after the property on behalf of the National Trust. He also hosts the family collection of pictures, furniture, ceramics and objets d’art, known as the Faringdon Collection, which is displayed in the house. Don’t miss Rembrandt’s portrait of Pieter Six, Rossetti’s portrait of Pandora, and Burne-Jones’s famous series, The Legend of the Briar Rose.

Contact: Tel 01367 240 932 www.buscot-park.com

Frilford Heath Golf Club

Find it: Situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5NW

If you love your golf, you will be delighted to be just down the road from this renowned club, known as one of the best venues in the south of England, located to the south of Oxford on 500 acres of glorious undulating Heathland. Formed in 1908, Frilford Heath has a rich history. Today the club offers no less than three championship golf courses (Red, Green and Blue) that, it says, ‘allow the opportunity to revel in their classical or modern challenge’!

Contact Frilford Golf Club: www.frilfordheath.co.uk

Blenheim Palace

Find it: Blenheim Palace Grounds, Woodstock OX20 1UL

How lucky to be so close to one the top attractions in the country. Situated in Woodstock, home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, set within more than 2000 acres of parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. The Palace has some of the finest collections of antique furniture in Europe.

Contact Blenheim Palace: www.blenheimpalace.com

Millets Farm Centre

Find it: Millets Farm, Kingston Road, Frilford, Abingdon OX13 5HB

A deservedly popular place for days out, this is not just a great farm to visit with the grandchildren – it is also a great choice for high quality food shopping. Set in beautiful countryside, the farm is home to many farmyard favourites as well as rheas, alpacas and black Dexter cattle. Fresh produce sold in the farm shop includes scrummy home baked bread, some of the best local meat and award-winning apple juice.

Contact Millets Farm Centre: www.milletsfarmcentre.com

Abingdon on Thames

Find it: online guide www.abingdon.gov.uk/things-do-0  Abingdon on Thames

If you are lucky enough to have an old MG tucked away in your garage at Southmoor Gardens, you’ll definitely want to take it on a pilgrimage to Abingdon, the Home of MG cars. The factory is no longer there, but the clubhouse donated to the MG Car Club by Cecil Kimber is still in use and boasts an ever-growing range of MG objects of interest. Abingdon is not just MG though. Quite possibly England’s oldest town, it has many ‘living traditions’ such as its famous Bun-Throwing ceremony and the midsummer Election of the Mock Mayor of Ock Street in which the town is said to ‘come alive with Morris Dancing and mayhem’.

Cotswold Wildlife Park

Find it: Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JP

At Southmoor Gardens you really are spoiled rotten for lovely outdoor attractions nearby, so there will be no problems at all deciding how to entertain visitors over a long weekend. This park has everything from rhinos grazing on Gothic manor house lawns (not something you see every day), stunning themed borders and over 120 acres of parkland. You might want to leave the adventure playground in the woods, with interconnecting tree-houses, rope bridges and slides, to the grandkids. Or maybe not! It’s worth also noting the Park is dog-friendly and is fully wheelchair-accessible.

Contact: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Oxford City

Find it: Online Oxford City guide www.oxfordcity.co.uk

It will take our Southmoor Gardens residents’ years to take in all that Oxford has to offer. Still best known of course for its university, The City of Dreaming Spires is now a bustling cosmopolitan place that’s as good for a wander and a long lunch as it is for a full-on shopping extravaganza. The new Westgate Shopping Centre has all the big brands and tons of parking while the covered market retains a genuine old-world charm – and the best meat and vegetables! So, whether you wish to visit one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, go out for a drink or a meal, watch a show or shop till you drop, Oxford has it all.

Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum

Find it: Rose Lane, Oxford OX1 4AZ

A green space in the town rather than the countryside this time, and absolutely a must-visit for Southmoor Gardens residents, this is the first botanic garden in the country. You’ll probably need a separate visit to appreciate Harcourt Arboretum (acquired by the University in 1947) which contains some of the finest conifer collections in the UK. Together, the Garden and Arboretum are a world-class resource for research, education, conservation and inspiration for a new generation of botanists.

Contact: www.obga.ox.ac.uk

The White Hart at Fyfield

Find it: Main Road, Fyfield, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX13 5LW

Who would not want to live near a ’foodies paradise’? Well at Southmoor Gardens you are in luck with The White Hart in Fyfield continuing to garner rave reviews in all the best places. The Oxford Times called it ‘paradise’ while the Oxford Mail’s reviewer was similarly awe struck. She said she enjoyed ‘One of the most memorable meals in recent history. Every dish was faultless and my fellow diners marked each course 10/10’.

Contact: Tel 01865 390585 www.whitehart-fyfield.com/

Waterperry Gardens

Find it: Waterperry, Oxford OX33 1LA

Hands up who has heard of Beatrix Havergal? Everyone of course! Beatrix established her School of Horticulture for Ladies here from 1932 to 1971 and it is now home to eight acres of beautifully landscaped ornamental gardens, plant centre and garden shop, gallery and gift shop, museum and tea shop. What wonderful inspiration for your garden back at Southmoor. There is a charge to look around the gardens, but access to the rest of the estate is free.

Contact: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

Buscot Park

Find it: Buscot Park, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 8BU

A family home to visit from your new family home. Lord Faringdon lives in and looks after the property on behalf of the National Trust. He also hosts the family collection of pictures, furniture, ceramics and objets d’art, known as the Faringdon Collection, which is displayed in the house. Don’t miss Rembrandt’s portrait of Pieter Six, Rossetti’s portrait of Pandora, and Burne-Jones’s famous series, The Legend of the Briar Rose.

Contact: Tel 01367 240 932 www.buscot-park.com

If the huge variety of historic attractions and artistic and cultural activities on offer in and around Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor sparks your interest, find out more about bespoke new properties available from Blue Cedar Homes at Southmoor Gardens.