Nearby Places

Letcombe Bassett has traditionally been famous for the growing of watercress, and "Bassett Cress" was a familiar cry in Old Covent Garden Market. It is therefore of no surprise to find that Thomas Hardy refers to the village as Cresscombe in his book, Jude the Obscure. The pretty thatched cottage where Arabella lived, and where she first met Jude, can still be seen down by the Letcombe Brook. A less well known literary connection is with Jonathan Swift who spent the Summer of 1714 with his friend, Rev. Geree, at the fine Queen Anne rectory, just before his last retreat to Ireland. He is said to have sat and written his political pamphlet, ‘Free Thoughts on the Present State of Affairs,’ under the ancient mulberry tree in the garden. The 12th century parish church has a Norman chancel with zig-zag decoration and a 13th century tower. The churchyard has some fine Cotswold style barrel topped tomb chests. The village is also known for its horse racing stables and Grand National winners, 

This iron-age hill fort above the Letcombes is thought to have been a reasonably large settlement and communal centre for various activities including sheep management and exchange. Today, it is still possible to see the extensive ditch, ramparts and four gateways.

The Ridgeway stretches 85 miles (137km) along the tops of the hills near Avebury, Wiltshire, to  Tring, Buckinghamshire. It has been used for 5000 years by many different groups of people; travellers, farmers, and armies.  Thre are various walking options to the Ridgeway from Thatchcombe.  The 20-30 minute ascent is well rewarded with far-reaching views over Oxfordshire.

Letcombe Valley Nature Reserve contains a third of a mile-long corridor of grassland and woodland alongside Letcombe Brook, a rare and beautiful example of a chalk stream, originating from several springs at the foot of the Lambourn Downs, which rise up a short distance south. There is only one other chalk stream in Oxfordshire, out of 161 in the whole country.  Running along the eastern edge of the reserve is a steep bank with a flat top (the Old Bassett Road) where fragments of chalk grassland remain among the scrub.   It is a 10 minute walk from Thatchcombe along the upper footpath.

Small remnants of ancient woodland nearby include old coppice stools around which wild flowers, such as bluebell, wood millet, common dog-violet and herb-Bennet, grow. Large ant hills survive among common bird’s-foot trefoil, field scabious, twayblade, cowslips and meadow grasses. Barn owls hunt for small mammals in this area.  It is a precious habitat, where kingfishers hunt across the water flashing blue as their sharp call pierces the stillness of the valley. Streamside, heron and little egret can be seen prowling the shallows for a tasty fish morsel. 

Letcombe Regis is a small village, based along the sides of the Letcombe Brook which meanders through from Letcombe Bassett to Wantage just two miles away, and then on to join the Thames. It is set in prime horse racing country, so horses are a common sight on the narrow, twisty lanes.  The Regis part shows that the manor house was originally a royal one. There are no royal connections any more, although the village currently has no less than three manors. The Old Manor is a late Georgian building, which stands on the site of a medieval hunting lodge.  The village is a 20-minute walk from Thatchcombe along the road or upper footpath.