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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.
Cranborne Chase
Cranborne Chase is a National Landscape, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and covers 380 square miles of countryside, overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset. It’s boundary starts within the Downton Parish, just outside the built area in Wick Lane to the west of the village. It offers miles of walking away from traffic and crowds.
It is a diverse natural landscape with a rich archaeological and historical significance. Cranborne Chase offers areas of rare chalk grasslands, scientifically important ancient woodlands, and chalk escarpments. The downland hillsides and chalk river valleys have a distinct and recognisable character. It’s an international Dark Skies Reserve and so a great place to go star gazing.
More information from carnbornechase.org.uk
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