Hideaway on the Estate
We hope that part of the attraction of the Hideaway will prove to be having our 600-acre farm as an extended playground to the tranquillity and privacy of your walled garden. I realise that I look at our home through rose tinted glasses, but it is pretty, very actually, being at the heart of the North Wessex Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Estate Map
Walking and Running
We have three different walks or runs within the estate, all designed to take you to some of the best views in Wiltshire. (See Maps)
Bikes
We have bikes and e-bikes that you are welcome to borrow. The e-bikes make this a lot easier, and we will happily make suggestions of some of the routes, maybe to include some decent pubs as well.
Estate Walks
We have included three main walks on Hilldrop itself and one that takes you via Ramsbury Manor, arguably one of the prettiest houses in the UK, and the pub.
Your starting point is to walk to the end of your walled garden and exit the gate to the left of the ‘Haha/ditch. You are trying to get to the bridleway about 75 yards to your left. This is next to the pony paddocks. The horses belong to the livery next to the farm entrance and are mad for a carrot or a polo for that matter.
Turn left for the Manor walk- turn right for all others.
The Mule and Picnics
You are welcome to borrow the ‘Mule’, it’s like a Quad Bike but much safer. It is used on the farm but should be available most evenings if you wish to drive to the various picnic spots at Hilldrop.
Sundowners
We take these very seriously and we would encourage you to consider taking a bottle of Rose and heading off for a picnic. You are welcome to use the BBQs or even borrow our portable Ooni Pizza oven. It may also be worth taking the portable speaker system that you will find in your gazebo.
Animals
This is very much a working farm where Sheep, Alpacas, Donkeys, Horses, Chickens, Cats, Dogs, and Guineafowl are our domestic guests. Red kites, Badgers, Deer, Hedgehogs, Owls, and hares are also ubiquitous.
Horses and Riding
You are welcome to bring your own horses and we have a couple of stables available, nothing very grand I am afraid.
Alternatively, speak to Vicky to Vicky Davies, a qualified instructor - 07470043351- who has a small livery adjacent to the farm entrance. She can give lessons to novices and may have horses to ride for the experienced. We can send you on some stunning rides.
Clay Shooting and Archery
The estate has an excellent clay pigeon business – Hilldrop Shoot and a game shoot.
The former takes place between May and mid-July; the latter from October to the end of January and during these periods, certain areas will be out of bounds for walkers.
Barbury shooting school, for a day trip.
There is however a mad archery game - hidden on the farm near one of our picnic spots- where you try and shoot a flying floating disk with a bow and arrow. Possibly the most difficult and addictive pastime possible.
