PLAY - Get Active
The is a wide range of activities for you to get involved with during your stay at the Hideaway, right on your doorstep.
Walks, Cycling & Riding
Recommended Walks
On the estate 3kms, 5kms and 7kms
The Ridgeway.
Decent walks, away from the estate, including pubs
See Maps (LINK)
Bikes and E-Bikes
Bikes can be found in the garage adjacent to where you have parked.
Riding
Riding from Hilldrop
We have an enchanting livery next to the farm. Riding lessons or and horse rental can be discussed with Vicky on 07470034351
You are equally welcome to bring your own horses. We have stables available.
Bowood Golf Course
Arguably our best local PGA course but around 40 minutes from Hilldrop. www.bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort/golf-club-wiltshire/
The Manor House Golf Course Castle Coombe
Castle Coombe is around 50 minutes from Hilldrop but this is a truly stunning course, adjacent to one of the Cotswolds prettiest villages. There are plenty of pubs in the village and you can even have a Michelin Star lunch at the Bybrook Restaurant at the Manor House Hotel. Happy to recommend this to enthusiasts and in truth the short 17th is worth the effort alone. www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house-golf-club
Golf
Local courses with ranges include:
Ogbourne Golf Club:
The course is 10 minutes from Hilldrop, Don’t be put off by an unspectacular golf club. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, with 15-mile views across the Marlborough Downs. Whilst this is very much an 18-hole golf course, an evening 9 ‘holer’ is ideal and less exhausting. The course has a good range and an excellent new chipping facility www.ogbournedowns.co.uk
Marlborough Golf Course
This is a good 18 hole course with a good range facility on the edge of Marlborough. www.marlboroughgolfclub.co.uk
Tennis
Hilldrop has its own tennis court which you may find sharing with my family and friends. It is an AstroTurf court. There is a temperamental ball machine too. We can provide balls and spare rackets.
Padel Tennis
This is the fastest-growing racket sport in the UK. It is difficult to describe but is a mixture of tennis and squash played with oversized ping pong bats.
Our closest courts are at Basset Down: www.ipadel.co.uk/Court-Info/Padel4all-Basset-Down/3165
Fishing
Whilst the River Kennet meanders through the village of Ramsbury this is all private fishing. However, you can still enjoy the gin clear river and the trout that will frustrate you beneath, via booking through Fishing Breaks.
Gym, Squash
and Indoor Pool:
Can be found at the Herongate Club. Whilst this is very much a pay-and-go venture it is new and good. There is an excellent gym, squash courts, and an indoor pool.
Gliding
A little esoteric maybe but Shalbourn Gliding, near Hungerford, offers introductory courses for gliding. I have tested this and honestly, rarely felt so sick but hey-ho it maybe your favourite?
Balloon Trips
Virgin Balloon flights take off from Lydiard House near Swindon. If you get a balmy evening this a lovely and romantic experience.
Children's activities and looking further afield
Longleat and the smaller but more charming Cotswold Wildlife Park are both about an hour’s drive. I highly recommend the former and suggest having a look around the lovely town of Burford and having lunch at the Wild Rabbit in Kingham.
Safari Parks & Farm
Cotswold Wildlife Park
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 1 hour drive.
Lunch at the Wild Rabbit in Kingham https://thewildrabbit.co.uk
Visit Burford www.cotswolds.com/plan-your-trip/towns-and-villages/burford
Longleat Safari Park
www.longleat.co.uk/safari 1.5 hours drive.
Roves Farm
https://rovesfarm.co.uk 20 minutes drive.
Watersports
Surfing the ‘Wave’ near Bristol
Whilst this is a one-hour drive it looks brilliant fun. The wave is a man-made surfing zone that promises the perfect wave for novices to pros.
Watersport at the Cotswold Parks
For skiing, wakeboarding, and inflatables: www.lakeside-ski.co.uk
For Sups, Sailing , Kayaks, Windsurfing, Canoeing: www.southcerneyoutdoor.co.uk
Summer Schools & Theatres
Marlborough Summer School
I can’t recommend this more highly. There are 100s of courses staged between July 9th and August 5th. These range from music, art, painting, photography, well-being, sport, fishing, cooking, computer studies, bridge, and astronomy, to literature and writing. Something for all the family.
The Watermill Theatre in Newbury
This is a tiny and very pretty theatre. I am not sure I can recommend the supper there, but the Vinyard or Elcot Park is only a few miles down the road.
