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A historic medieval borough, set in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside south of Salisbury. Minutes away from the New Forest, half an hour from the coast, on the fringes of Cranborne Chase.
Why the "real" Downton? The name of our village was the source of the name for Downton Abbey TV series and movie. We don't have an abbey, but we have plenty of other things to see and do.
This site is still being developed. It's being updated regularly with new information. Please do visit us again to see our new updates.
Castle Hill
Castle Hill is approximately 4 miles south of Downton and provides spectacular views over the River Avon and on to the chalk-lands beyond. If cycling to avoid traffic, leave Downton on Moot Lane towards Woodgreen and follow signs towards Godshill then to Castle Hill.
The name refers to the Frankenbury Hill Fort, which is the site of an Iron Age hill fort a little further beyond the viewpoint on the road from Downton. A circular walk of approximately 2.5 miles from the Godshill Cricket Club can be downloaded from the New Forest National Park website using the link: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/things-to-do/walking/new-forest-walks/frankenbury-hill-fort/.
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