A Low Cost Family Day Trip

Trudy Godfrey tells us about her special family day out in the Vale of White Horse including Abingdon museum, riverside walks and great pub food!

What was your reason for going to the river?

I moved to Faringdon (on the edge of the Cotswolds) two years ago and miss the ‘water' since I lived on the west coast of Scotland for twenty years! I was overjoyed to discover the River Thames on my doorstep and spend many pleasant days at nearby Lechlade-on-Thames and at beautiful, nearby Buscot.

Please tell us what you did on your trip?

For my mother-in-law's 60th birthday we decided upon a river-based day out including all of her favourite things: the river, museum, walks and delicious food. We even managed to squeeze in a visit to a Farm Centre complete with farm animals.

We began our family day trip in Abingdon, which is reputedly the oldest Bronze Age settlement in Europe - and these days is a lovely historic market town with some amazing architecture. We visited the Abingdon Museum, an intriguing museum with stunning roof top views over Abingdon and beyond. The children enjoyed the ‘dressing up' corner and the exhibit of ‘Abingdon through the Ages' which took the visitor from Jurassic times to the present.

We then headed to the Trout Inn on St John's Bridge, Lechlade for lunch. We followed lunch with a walk along the River Thames. The stretch we covered - the mile-stretch from The Trout Inn to Buscot - is easily navigable even for small children. Buscot itself is a small, exceptionally pretty, National Trust village with lovely tea-rooms and a parish church with attractive stained glass windows by Morris.

Where and what time of year did you take your trip?

From Abingdon to Buscot Village in the Autumn.

What did you like best about your trip?

The beautiful and peaceful river walk to the National Trust Village of Buscot. We waved to people on the river-boats. Oh and the meal at the Trout Inn, Tadpole Bridge. However, I am sure the children would say the farm zoo and playpark at Milletts!

How much did your trip cost?

Entrance to the Abingdon County museum was free - the only cost was for our food and drink!