Location

LOCATION AND SURROUNDINGS

Pennycroft is about 2km from the river Thames between Streatley and Pangbourne (each about 5km away). The cottage is on the edge of the Berkshire Downs facing the Chiltern Hills across the river and is set in farmland and woodland. See map.

Nearby places of interest are -

Basildon Park, an 18th century country house with a classical portico and pavilions in Bath stone, is within walking distance. It was restored by Lord and Lady Iliffe and has an impressive octagonal drawing room with fine pictures and furniture. It is open at various times during the summer and has a tea room and National Trust shop.

Beale Wildlife Gardens, about 2km away is situated in a pleasant riverside estate designated of 'outstanding natural beauty'. In this setting pheasants, peacocks, parrots, owls, cranes and wildfowl together with Highland cattle and rare breeds of sheep can be seen.

River Boat Trips can be taken from Beale Gardens or from Pangbourne, Streatley or Reading. There are also attractions for children at Beale Gardens such as the narrow gauge railway, playgrounds and paddling pools. At Pangbourne and Reading there are further facilities such as Water and Sports Centres for rainy days and boating regattas in the summer.

Horse Riding - Berkshire is a centre for equestrian activity (Lambourne with it's racing stables is about 30km) and there are several riding schools in the area catering for different levels of ability. We can arrange bookings in advance if needed.

Windsor and Eton. Windsor Castle has been the historic home of English monarchs for almost 900 years and is the world's largest inhabited castle. Eton, the famous school founded by Henry IV in 1440 which has educated 20 British Prime Ministers, is across the river. These twin towns can provide several days of sight seeing such as St George's Chapel and State Apartments, exhibitions of Crown Jewels and Royal Carriages, the Household Cavalry Museum, Frogmore House and the Saville Gardens in Windsor Great Park. Windsor and Eton are about 45km from Pennycroft and can be reached by car in less than an hour.

Oxford is famous for it's university which is the oldest in Britain and probably dates from the 12th century. Again several days can be spent visiting notable sights such as the Ashmolean Museum, Carfax Tower and the historic colleges or simply taking a boat down the rivers Cherwell or Thames. Pennycroft is about 35km from Oxford and can be reached by car in less than an hour.