Things to do

Set in 8 acres and bordering the River Avon, these delightful gardens are a haven for adults and a magical adventure area for children. Created in the early 18th century out of the ruins of a substantial 12th century earthwork castle, Downton Moot Garden is now owned by a charity. It is open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk – admission is free. There is plenty of free car parking adjacent to The Moot. Website: www.downtonmoot.co.uk

This is a beautiful circular route exploring the area around Downton, taking you along the banks of the River Avon and circling around the fish farms. It’s around 6.1km long and takes between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete. It is easy to walk although it can flood in winter, and waterproof footwear is recommended. The trail starts from The Borough Cross by the Co-op and and has its own signs. The directions can be found and downloaded from the Downton Society website (see link below). It includes countryside views of gently rolling hills and it passes close to Trafalgar House, a Georgian Country House dating back to the 18th century and a Grade I listed building. You’ll pass the old Standlynch Mill on the River Avon, a location for the BBC programme, Gone Fishing with Mortimer and Whitehouse. Website: thedowntonsociety.org/files/CircWalkInst.pdf Other references can be found at: hiddenwiltshire.com/post/the-downton-circular-and-a-hero-s-reward alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/wiltshire/downton-circular

The annual Downton Cuckoo Fair is the largest community event in Wiltshire. It is normally held on the Saturday of the early May bank holiday. Downton fairs were first recorded in the 11th century but died out although in the 15th century Charles II two annual fairs were granted in April and September. The modern fair started in 1979 and has grown to its current size with over 250 craft, gift, food and drinks stalls. The Borough is closed to traffic for the day so that visitors can enjoy browsing the stands and be entertained by live music, dancing and other acts. Website: https://cuckoofair.co.uk/

The New Forest National Park border is only 7 miles south of Downton on the B3080. The New Forest is one of the largest remaining tracts of pasture land, heathland and forest in Southern England, covering 218 square miles of southwest Hampshire and southeast Wiltshire. It was proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror, featuring in the Domesday Book. It was made a National Park in 2005. It’s known for its heathland, forest trails and native ponies. In the southeast, the National Motor Museum houses F1 race cars and vintage motorbikes. Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway is home to exotic trees, plus colourful rhododendrons and azaleas. More information from: newforestnpa.gov.uk

The Salisbury Museum is housed in a grade 1 listed building within the Salisbury Cathedral Close. It has a number of collections relating to local archaeology and history. This includes a number of items from Downton. Items on display include part of the mosaic pavement and a flue tile from the Roman Villa uncovered in the village in the 1950s; the Downton fire engine (pictured) from 1876 which was stored in St Laurence Church (see Heritage Trail); flint tools from the Mesolithic settlement by the river in Downton which was discovered in the 1950s; a collared urn found near Giants Grave long barrow a just over a mile north west of Downton. Opening hours: 7 days a week, 10am - 5pm. Admission fees apply. Website: www.salisburymuseum.org.uk The King’s House, 65 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EN

Downton Millennium Green is a recreational area and wildlife habitat. It’s about 4 1/4 hectare of ancient water meadow alongside the River Avon, accessed from Moot Gardens off Moot Lane. The green was created with funding from the Millennium Commission, Countryside Commission, Downton Parish Council, and local fundraising. It's maintained by the Downton Millennium Green Trust.  facebook.com/p/Downton-Millennium-Green

The Avon Valley long distance path between Salisbury and Christchurch runs through the village. In total it is 34 miles long and parts of it can become waterlogged during the winter and early spring. The section from Salisbury to Downton is 8 miles long and takes between 3 and 4 hours to walk. The section from Downton to Fordinbridge is 7 miles long and also takes between 3 to 4 hours. Every Friday the tap bar serves a selection of beers straight from the cask. No booking is needed and there's a selection of tables inside and out, in the new bar and outside the brewery where you can also buy food. More information from: hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryside/walking/avonvalley

The mizmaze is scheduled ancient monument on a hillside around 2.5 miles south west of Downton. Cut into the chalk is a continuous sweep of eleven concentric rings, like a loosely coiled rope. It is one of eight surviving medieval turf mazes in England and one of only two surviving mizmazes. Its isolated position can only be reached by walking about a mile from Breamore House or by walking onto the downs up Wick Lane from Downton and following a number of footpaths across the Cranbourne Chase. Surrounding the mizmaze is a grove of yews adding to the atmosphere of this isolated spot. The Mizmaze is thought to date to the 12th or 13th centuries. It was used by the monks for penitential purposes. They would crawl along the path to the central mound, all the while reflecting on their sins and saying prayers at specific points. Extra information is available from a number of sources including the following website: cranbornechase.org.uk/chalkeboard/walking-to-the-breamore-mizmaze archaeology-travel.com/england/the-medieval-mizmaze-of-breamore-hampshire

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

Rockbourne Roman Villa is a unique archaeological site and museum, situated in a peaceful part of Hampshire near Fordingbridge just 6 miles south west of Downton. Visitors can walk amongst the remains of the largest known villa complex in the area, which once stood in the centre of a large farming estate. Its history spans the period from the Iron Age to the 5th century AD. The villa site includes the remains of bath houses, living quarters, farm buildings and workshops. The site includes the best preserved of the mosaics discovered here, as well as part of the underfloor heating system and the outline of the villa's forty rooms. Many of the finds from the site are displayed thematically in the museum and tell the story of what life was like in this fascinating place. Outside, information boards guide you around the site and there is a family friendly trail that accompanies them. Rockbourne Roman Villa is open between April and September. Check website for opening hours. Admission charges apply. Website: https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/rockbourne-roman-villa Rockbourne Roman Villa, Rockbourne, Fordingbridge, SP6 3PG

The heritage trail has been created to help visitors discover Downton’s rich and colourful history. It takes around an hour to walk and stop at the 17 points of interest. As you explore, you will be walking in the footsteps of Iron Age man, Romans, Normans, bishops, corrupt politicians, noblemen, and humble millers, tanners and farmers. They have all left an indelible and fascinating mark on Downton. The trail was developed in memory of Margaret Peach, Chairman of Downton Parish Council and Salisbury District Council who died in 2006. Like many significant figures before her, she helped she the village and its history. The trail leaflet is free and available from the village library, The Goat and The Bull Hotel. Just ask for a copy. Website: downtonheritagetrail.org.uk A copy of the text from the companion handbook can be found at downtonvillage.co.uk

The church is a grade 1 listed building. Its present structure dates from the 12th century with many additions over the years since then. It’s the fourth largest medieval parish church in Wiltshire. The church is open during daylight hours. Church Hatch, Downton, Salisbury SP5 3PU Website: achurchnearyou.com/church/9474

Clearbury Ring is an Iron Age hill fort approximately 5 miles via footpaths from Downton. It’s a scheduled monument occupying a prominent hilltop overlooking the valley of the River Avon, at an altitude of 142 metres (466 ft) above mean sea level. The hillfort is adjacent to the Clearbury Down Site of Special Scientific Interest, but is not included within it. In 1632, Clearbury Ring was recorded as Clereburu. A circular walk of approximately 10 miles from Downton is possible by going up Wick Lane and turning right on Wick Down beyond Grim’s Ditch to Clearbury Ring. Return by descending on the footpath towards Matrimony Farm, crossing the A338 and returning to Downton via the Avon Valley Path.

Breamore House is an Elizabethan manor house completed in 1853 and noted for its fine collection of paintings and furniture. It is situated just outside Breamore village which is 3 miles south of Downton. Though it remains in private hands, it is open to visitors from April to October. It’s a short drive from Downton south on the A338 towards Fordingbridge, or take the X3 bus. Alternatively, it’s a relatively flat cycle ride from Downton via Moot Lane and Woodgreen village along the River Avon. This route includes a chance to visit the church at Hale village, the picturesque Breamore Mill and the old Breamore railway station. Refreshments on route are available from the award winning community shop at Woodgreen and the Bat and Ball village pub at Breamore, as well as the cafe at Breamore House House and gardens opening hours (April - October) Tuesday and Sunday: 2pm - 5pm Farm Shop and Countryside Museum Tuesday - Sunday: 11am - 4pm Website: breamorehouse.com Breamore House, Breamore, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2DF

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/.