Local Area Information
(Please also see WALKING & CYCLING sub menu), and Birdwatching on the Footer Menu)
Goring has its own local Railway Station approximately 1.45 miles distant, with car parking from £2.80 per day and quick easy access to London and Oxford (40 minutes by direct fast train from Reading, and 1 1/4 Hours from Streatley to London). There is no taxi rank at the train station and a car is strongly recommended. The village shops, approximately 30 minutes walk away, include food store/newsagent, chemist, gift shops, cafes and a cash point. The wider surrounding Chilterns is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with many picturesque villages. The Old Stables is within walking distance of restaurants including English, Chinese and Indian and many public houses.
Noteworthy is The Bull Public House in Streatley where a local nun had a clandestine meeting with a novice monk. The errant pair were caught and slain for their crime. Two yew trees were planted over their graves in the grounds of the Bull which remain to this day with a plaque to mark the spot. Legend dictates that on the anniversary of their execution, two figures rise from the graves.
The Old Stables is well placed for sightseeing being located midway between the Cotswolds, Oxford, Windsor, Henley on Thames and London. Reading and The Oracle shopping centre is 9 miles distant, Oxford 20 miles, Windsor 34 miles, London 54 miles.
There are several National Trust and Country Houses within easy driving distance, with Basildon House right on our door step and within walking distance (Basildon House was used as the film set for Grantham House in the Downton Abbey Christmas special).
*www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park
*www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden
*www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court
*www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nuffield-place
A Selection of Activities and Places to Visit in the Vicinity Includes:
(* Suitable for a rainy day)
Goring Gap Wildlife Experiences (Guided Wildlife Walks) https://ggwildlifeexperiences.co.uk/guests-of-the-old-stables-at-linden-cott
Open air splash pool and heated open air swimming pool on the banks of The Thames (Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford)
*The Living Rainforest - www.livingrainforest.org - Home to 700 species of plants and animals. Watch birds, butterflies and lizards roam free in tropical glasshouses.
Beale Park Wildlife Park - www.bealepark.co.uk - animals, gardens, play and activities including a seasonal paddling pool
Caversham Lakes - www.cavershamlakes.co.uk - paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, open water swimming, family beach, cafe/bar, aqua park.
*Pendon Museum - www.pendonmuseum.com - 1930's rural model village
Donkey Sanctuary - www.donkeyrescue.co.uk
Withymead Nature Reserve - www.withymead.co.uk
Paintballing - www.paintball.co.uk/ Reading
Wellington Country Park - www.wellington-country-park.co.uk - activities include nature trails, animal/petting farm, sand pits, water play, miniature railway, mini golf
*Museums - Oxford
(including highly recommended, refurbished Natural History Museum) - www.oum.ox.ac.uk
- Reading
- Newbury
*Shaw House - https://www.westberkshireheritage.org/shaw-house/plan-your-visit - Grade 1 Historic House.
Reading Abbey Ruins - www.readingabbeyquarter.org.uk
*Oxford Castle Unlocked - www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk - Costumed character tours of the castle, debtors tower, and prison.
Oxford Guided Ghost Walks - www.oxfordghosttours.com
*Oxford Ice Rink - www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Oxford_Ice_Rink
*Stonor Park - http://www.stonor.com
Lagoona Aquapark https://lagoonapark.com/ Inflatable aquapark, jetski hire, paddle boarding
* Dorchester Abbey - http://www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk
*Cinemas (Reading, Wallingford, Oxford, Henley on Thames)
Thames River Cruises - www.thamesrivercruise.co.uk
Boat and Paddle Board Hire, Benson Waterfront - www.avboats.co.uk
Bucklebury Farm Park - www.buckleburyfarmpark.co.uk (Owned by Pippa Middleton)
Cogges Manor Farm - www.cogges.org.uk (Downton Abbey's Yew Tree Farm)
Newbury Racecourse - www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Harcourt Arboretum - www.harcourt-arboretum.ox.ac.uk
Didcot Steam Railway - www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Experience handling/hunting days and evenings - www.hawkwalk.org
Streatley and Goring Golf Club - www.goringgolf.co.uk
The Springs Golf Club - www.thespringsgc.co.uk
*Lookout Discovery Centre - www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre (Hands on Science and Nature Activities)
Agatha Christie Trail - https://www.wallingford.co.uk/files/agatha_walks.pdf
Coach and Personal Tours including The Cotswolds, The Midsomer Murders Trail and Downton - www.visitmidsomer.com/explore-midsomer
Local Events
Swan Upping - 15-19 July 2024 (Goring Loch exact date & times to be announced).
Goring Gap Festival (Arts) - 17-16 June 2024 - run biennially alternating with the Goring Gap Festival (Food -2025 date to be announced).
Goring & Streatley Regatta - biennial event - (next regatta in 2025 - date to be announced) - www.goringgapbc.org.uk
Goring 10k - 17 March 2024 - https://www.goring10k.com/
Henley Royal Regatta - 2-7 July 2024.
Slightly Further Afield but within Driving Distance (Up to 1 hour approx):
Legoland Windsor - www.legoland.co.uk
*Coral Reef Swimming Pool - www.everyoneactive.com/centre/coral-reef-waterworld
*Bicester Designer Outlet - www.bicestervillage.com/en/home
*Swindon Designer Outlet - www.mcarthurglen.com/en/outlets/uk/designer-outlet-swindon
4 Kingdoms Animal & Adventure Park www.4-kingdoms.co.uk
Lapland UK - www.laplanduk.co.uk
*Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter - www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/home
*Windsor Castle - www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-castle-p43983
Cotswold Wildlife Park - www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
Mini Tank Experience - www.minitankelite.co.uk (minimum age 8 years)
Stonehenge - www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge
Bekonscot Model Village - www.bekonscot.co.uk
*Highclere Castle (Home to Downton Abbey) - www.highclerecastle.co.uk
*Blenheim Palace - www.blenheimpalace.com
Waterperry Gardens - www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Uffington White Horse - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/white-horse-hill
Avebury - www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury/
Farnham Bird World - www.birdworld.co.uk
Slightly Further Afield but within Driving Distance (Up to 1 ½ hours approx):
Thorpe Park - www.thorpepark.com (1 hour 5 mins)
Chessington World of Adventures - www.chessington.com (1 hour 15 mins)
Marwell Zoo - www.marwell.org.uk (1 hour 10 mins)
Bath
Stratford Upon Avon
The New Forest
Cotswold Farm Park (Rare Breeds and Home to Adam Henson from Countryfile) - www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk
Bournemouth (2 hours)
Whats On in Goring & Streatley