Downton is a large ancient Wiltshire village and its location, straddling the River Avon, has defined its history and development – from crossing point and important market town in Anglo-Saxon times, through a more industrial phase with water powering various processes such as tanning and milling, to its present role as local service centre for a largely rural hinterland. People have lived in the area for over 7,000 years.
Clearbury Ring is an Iron age Hill Fort and evidence of Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlements has been found in Downton village.
Evidence of past activities can be seen in the lay-out and design of the village: earthworks of a Norman motte and bailey castle lie within 18th Century Moot landscaped gardens overlooking the river, burgage plots define the layout of gardens in The Borough, and old buildings include mills associated with leat and water carriers.
In the twentieth century the village was still known for cloth and lace making, tanning and light engineering (including converting Mini cars).
Today, the village has a population of approximately 3,000 and continues to thrive with its own schools, shops, leisure centre, pubs, and businesses. The industrial centre on its northern edge serves local and national companies.
The village is also known for its fishing, award winning local brewery, and annual Cuckoo Fair which attracts around 20,000 visitors to over 250 craft and other stalls, plus a parade, maypole, music, dance, and various entertainments. For walkers and cyclists, Downton is a gateway for exploring the River Avon and the New Forest.
Protected sites
As well as being designated as SSSI’s, the River Avon and most of the New Forest are protected by European legislation.
The River Avon is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its plant and fish communities as well as a tiny snail, Desmoulin’s whorl snail.
The New Forest is protected under two European designations; as a SAC for its woodland, marsh, and heath habitats and as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for several species of birds including the ground nesting species woodlark, nightjar, and Dartford warbler which are particularly sensitive to recreational pressure.
While these European designations enrich Downton as a place to live, they also confer statutory obligations to ensure development does not impact on the special features.
How to get there
Downton has a good road connection along the A338 – to Salisbury in the north, and to Bournemouth in the south (and onwards to Southampton via the M27). This is regarded, in the Wiltshire Core Strategy, as the primary lorry route though the area.
The nearest train station is Salisbury.
The Avon Valley path runs through Charlton all Saints and Downton.