THE HERITAGE HOPPER

From July travelling around the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire tourist attractions will become more accessible to neighbouring communities and visitors to the counties. The introduction of a new summer Sunday bus service called The Heritage Hopper will bring the outlying villages between Banbury and Leamington closer together.

Local tourist attractions including the Heritage Motor Centre, Upton House, Broughton Castle and Burton Dassett Country Park , have joined forces with Catterall's Coaches of Southam to start a bus service for visitors to the area and the people in the local community.

The new service will run every Sunday from July 4 until August 29, not only linking the villages, calling at Leamington and Banbury railway stations for travellers from London, Oxford and Birmingham . The bus service costs from £3.00 and has been funded by the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire Rural Partnerships, the National Trust and the individual tourist attractions en-route.

The Heritage Hopper will depart Leamington Spa on Upper Parade three times during the day starting at 0950 calling at Leamington Spa Rail Station, Bishops Tachbrook, Lighthorne Heath, the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon village, Temple Herdewyke village for the Burton Dassett Hills, the Edgehill ancient battlefields, Upton House and on to Banbury arriving at 1105. The return service operates throughout the day, with two further departures taking place from Leamington / Banbury. The last return journey leaves Banbury Rail Station at 1727 hours. For more information on the timetable call: 0870-608-2608.

Chris Rodway, a National Trust voluntary worker, has been instrumental in setting up this new scheme. He said: "We recognised there was a real need to bring some of the local attractions within easy reach of the outlying villages on the Warwickshire and Oxfordshire borders. This will mean that many people who could not reach some of these excellent tourist sites, will now be able to visit their local attractions without difficulty.

"The service is not just for the less mobile traveller, but also for visitors to the area who would not normally think of travelling by bus. We want to encourage visitors to leave their cars at home and travel by train and bus.

Travellers from London , Oxford and Birmingham can escape the city and travel to the area by train and use the Heritage Hopper from Banbury and Leamington stations."

Banbury Museum is in the Town centre close to the canal side with a scheduled ancient monument boatyard adjoining, the museum. Exciting modern displays of the Town's history including a 17 th Century costume exhibition and guided tours. Onsite café, shop and education studio are also available.

Heritage Motor Centre has a selection of indoor and outdoor activities for all the family. As well as displaying the World's largest collection of historic British cars, the museum has a variety of cars that visitors can sit in and enjoy and an outdoor go-kart track and 4x4 off-road rides A modern licensed café is available, where three-course Sunday lunches are on special offer and a delightful Gift shop.

Burton Dassett Hills Country Park situated on a spur of rugged hills projecting into a relatively flat plain. The park provides magnificent views in all directions with an ancient monument, the Beacon Tower : The Church of All Saints provides additional interest for visitors. The park is also a good location for kite flying.

Broughton Castle a 14 th Century fortified manor house, enlarged in sixteenth century. Owned by the Fiennes family for over 600 years and still a family home. Became a parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War, with a mediaeval great hall, vaulted passages, magnificent plaster ceilings, fine panelling and fireplaces. Fine walled garden, large area of open parkland, tearoom and shop.

Last Updated: 20-Jul-2004