Faringdon, meaning ‘fern-covered-hill’, is a beautiful old market town perched on a ridge between two river valleys, the Ock and the Thames, graced with panoramic views of the surrounding area.
With a rich and vibrant history, and a range of hotels, pubs, cafes and shops, Faringdon is an ideal place to visit for a holiday, short break or day out.
Faringdon is famed for its Folly Tower, built in 1935 by Lord Berners, the original owner of Faringdon House. This 100ft high tower is the last major folly to be built in England and sits on Folly Hill, within a charming 4 acre circular woodland of splendid Scots pine and broadleaf trees. The Folly Tower is open every first and third Sunday of the month from April to October, when you can climb to the top to see breath-taking views of five counties.
Follow the sculpture trail around the woodland and look out for twenty-four blackbirds, the hidden fairy door, the bridge to nowhere, Cromwell’s cannon and much more. Check out the Faringdon walk and route map that takes you from the town, past the Folly and through the surrounding countryside.
A charter was granted for a weekly market in 1218, held every Tuesday in the Market Place. A monthly farmers’ market is held on the first Tuesday of the month.
All Saints’ Church, just off the marketplace, is well worth a visit. It has a rich interior with monuments that reveal the intriguing history of Faringdon. Cannonballs and musket ammunition from the 1646 Civil War battle between Royalists and Parliamentarians are on display inside the church, and there is even a cannonball lodged in the church wall!
If you would like more information, visit the Faringdon Information Centre located in the marketplace, or click the button below.
Stay connected and be inspired! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to discover what’s on and things to do. Coming soon!
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
This website has been built as a joint venture by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, as part of a project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, invest in communities and place, support local businesses and people, and develop skills.
For more information, read the UK Shared Prosperity Fund prospectus.
