Seasonal Guide: What to Do Near Faringdon by Season

One of the best things about Faringdon and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside is that there is no wrong time to visit. Every season brings something different: a change in the landscape, a shift in the kitchen, a different reason to walk through the door of The Old Crown Coaching Inn and feel glad you came.

This guide covers what makes each season special, what to do, where to go, and what to eat and drink at The Old Crown throughout the year.

Spring (March to May)

Spring in Oxfordshire is the countryside waking up. The days stretch, the light softens, and the fields around Faringdon turn from brown to green almost overnight. It is the quietest season for visitors, which means you get the best of the countryside largely to yourself.

What to See and Do in Spring

• Bluebells at Badbury Hill: From mid-April to mid-May, the ancient beech woods at Badbury Hill (10 minutes from The Old Crown) are carpeted with bluebells. It is one of the finest bluebell displays in Oxfordshire and genuinely magical in the right week. Go on a weekday morning for the best experience
  

• Buscot Park gardens: The Italianate water garden at Buscot Park (10 minutes) is at its most vibrant in late spring. The wisteria, the formal borders, and the long avenues are all coming into bloom. National Trust opening days begin in March
  

• Lambing season: The fields around Faringdon are full of lambs from late March. Walking the Thames Path or the field paths near Great Coxwell Barn in April is pure English spring. Keep dogs on leads
  

• The Thames Path: Spring is ideal for the Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge walk. The river meadows are coming alive with wildflowers, the riverbanks are green, and the path is quieter than summer
  

• Oxford in spring: The colleges look their best with wisteria climbing the ancient walls. Take the 30-minute bus from outside The Old Crown and have the city without the summer crowds.

At The Old Crown in Spring

The kitchen shifts to lighter, brighter flavours as the season turns. Expect spring lamb, wild garlic, asparagus, and fresh salads alongside the hearty staples. The courtyard starts to open for evening drinks as the days lengthen. Saturday live music moves into full swing.

Book your spring break: Spring weekends fill quickly once word gets out about the bluebells. Book early for April and May.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is peak season and for good reason. The Oxfordshire countryside is at its most beautiful, the days are long, and life at The Old Crown moves outdoors. The courtyard fills every evening, the kitchen serves until the late light fades, and there is a particular energy to a summer Saturday night at a good English pub.

What to See and Do in Summer

• Thames Path walking: The longest days make summer ideal for the full Lechlade to Tadpole Bridge walk (8 miles). Start early to make the most of the morning light on the water. Dogs will love swimming in the shallow Thames
  

• Cotswolds villages: Burford, Bibury, and Lechlade are at their prettiest in summer, with overflowing window boxes and golden stone glowing in the afternoon sun. Go midweek to avoid the weekend crowds
  

• The Uffington White Horse: The chalk downland above the White Horse is spectacular in summer. Wide skies, warm breeze, and views that stretch forever. Carry water and sun protection
  

• Oxford by bus: Take the 30-minute bus from The Old Crown's doorstep into Oxford. The Botanic Garden and Christ Church Meadow are beautiful in summer. The Covered Market has the best ice cream
  

• Blenheim Palace: The Capability Brown parkland is glorious in summer. The lakeside walk is a full afternoon in itself.

At The Old Crown in Summer

The courtyard is the heart of summer at The Old Crown. Drinks outside in the evening sun, dinner that stretches into the twilight, and the particular pleasure of a cold beer earned by a day of walking. The kitchen celebrates summer produce: local berries, fresh salads, fish, and lighter dishes alongside the menu staples. Live music in the pub on Saturday nights spills out into warm evenings.

Book your summer break: Summer weekends are our busiest. Book well in advance, especially for July and August. Midweek stays offer better availability and quieter countryside.

Autumn (September to November)

Many of our regulars say autumn is the best season at The Old Crown. The summer crowds have gone, the countryside turns gold and copper, and the pub comes into its own. Log fires are lit, the kitchen shifts to heartier cooking, and there is a cosiness to an October evening at a country inn that is hard to find anywhere else.

What to See and Do in Autumn

• Beech woods at Badbury Hill: If the bluebells are spring's highlight, the beech leaf colour is autumn's. The ancient trees at Badbury Hill turn from green to gold to deep copper through October. A walk here on a crisp autumn morning is unforgettable.

• The Ridgeway: Autumn is the best season for the Uffington White Horse and the Ridgeway. The air is clearer, the light is lower and more dramatic, and the chalk downland is quieter than summer.

• Harvest at Buscot Park: The walled garden and orchards are heavy with fruit in September. The estate has a particular late-season beauty.

• Oxford in autumn: The start of Michaelmas term brings a different energy to the city. The colleges are in full swing, the Bodleian Library glows in the October light, and the bookshops are at their most inviting.

• Cotswolds in autumn colour: The honey-stone villages are framed by red and gold trees. Burford, Bibury, and the Windrush Valley are particularly beautiful in late October.

At The Old Crown in Autumn

This is when the kitchen is at its most exciting. Game arrives on the menu. Root vegetables, squash, and orchard fruit replace the summer lightness. The Sunday roast feels essential rather than optional. The log fire in the pub is lit most evenings from October, and the atmosphere shifts from outdoor summer energy to indoor winter warmth. JJ's Wine and Cocktail Bar comes into its own: a glass of red wine, a well-made Old Fashioned, and the flicker of candlelight.

Book your autumn break: October half-term and November weekends are popular. Midweek autumn stays are some of the best-value and most atmospheric times to visit.

Winter (December to February)

Winter at The Old Crown is the season the building was made for. A 16th-century coaching inn with a log fire, thick stone walls, and a kitchen serving the kind of food that makes you forget it is dark outside by 4pm. There is nothing pretend about winter here. It is genuine, warm, and deeply comforting.

What to See and Do in Winter

• Frosty walks: The Uffington White Horse with a dusting of frost is one of the most dramatic sights in southern England. The Ridgeway in winter is exposed and exhilarating, with wide skies and icy air. Wrap up and earn your dinner
  

• Great Coxwell Barn: The medieval barn is atmospheric in any weather, but there is something about visiting on a cold, grey winter day that makes the 800-year-old structure feel even more impressive. Free entry, open year-round
  

• Oxford Christmas shopping: Take the bus into Oxford for Christmas shopping. The Covered Market has independent food stalls and gift shops. The colleges are quieter in winter and some offer candlelit tours or carol services
  

• Blenheim Palace at Christmas: Blenheim runs a spectacular Christmas trail through its illuminated gardens and woodland. It is one of the most popular Christmas events in the region. Book tickets well in advance
  

• Cosy pub afternoons: Sometimes the best thing to do on a winter afternoon is nothing at all. A seat by the fire at The Old Crown, a pint or a glass of wine, a book, and nowhere you need to be. This is what pubs were invented for.

At The Old Crown in Winter

The kitchen goes deep into comfort. Slow-braised meats, rich stews, root vegetable dishes, sticky toffee pudding, and the kind of cooking that feels like a blanket. The Sunday roast is at its most popular in winter. The log fire burns every day. The pub fills with locals who know that a good pub on a dark evening is one of the great consolations of English life.

JJ's Wine and Cocktail Bar is especially good in winter. Warm cocktails, a considered wine list, and the quieter atmosphere of the bar make it the perfect spot for a long evening.

Book your winter break: December weekends and the Christmas to New Year period book up early. January and February are quieter and offer excellent value for a midweek escape.

Month-by-Month Highlights

Month	What's special
January	Quietest month. Crisp winter walks, log fires, excellent midweek value.
February	Snowdrops appear. Cosy pub evenings. Good value before spring.
March	Spring begins. Lambing season. Buscot Park gardens reopen.
April	Bluebells at Badbury Hill. Longer evenings. Courtyard opens.
May	Late bluebells. Cotswolds at their greenest. Thames Path in full bloom.
June	Longest days. Peak walking. Summer courtyard evenings begin.
July	Full summer. Pub gardens, riverside walks, Oxford in sunshine.
August	Warmest month. Festivals and events. Book well ahead.
September	Harvest menus arrive. Quieter paths. Warm days, cool evenings.
October	Peak autumn colour at Badbury Hill. Game on the menu. Fires lit.
November	Deep autumn. Comfort food. Bonfire Night. Atmospheric walks.
December	Christmas at the inn. Mulled wine, festive menus, Blenheim lights.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Faringdon?

Every season has something to offer. Spring for bluebells and quiet paths. Summer for long walking days and outdoor dining. Autumn for colour, comfort food, and log fires. Winter for the true coaching inn experience. There is no wrong time.

Is The Old Crown open all year?

Yes. The Old Crown Coaching Inn is open throughout the year, including Christmas and New Year.

Do the menus change seasonally?

Yes. The menu at The Old Crown changes every six to eight weeks to reflect the best seasonal produce from local suppliers. Expect lighter dishes in spring and summer, game and slow-cooked meats in autumn and winter, and the Sunday roast year-round.

When are the bluebells at Badbury Hill?

The bluebell display at Badbury Hill typically peaks between mid-April and mid-May. The exact timing varies by year depending on the weather. The woods are managed by the National Trust, are free to visit, and are approximately 10 minutes by car from The Old Crown.

[H3] Is the courtyard open in winter?

Open all year round, heated in winter!

What is the quietest time to visit?

January and February are the quietest months, offering the best availability and often the best rates. Midweek stays in any season are quieter than weekends. If you want the countryside to yourself, a Tuesday to Thursday stay in late autumn or winter is hard to beat.