You can download a copy here - North Wessex Downs Area of ...

WELCOMENorthto theWessex DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty> Where to go> What to see> Map of the area© Jon CruiseNORTH WESSEXDOWNSOne of theAONB Family

A truly special placeFrom remote, rolling downlandto charming market townsand picture postcard villages,the North Wessex Downsare a truly special place.Undoubtedly one of Britain’smost beautiful landscapes, theDowns are somewhere to betreasured and protected.© Stan Green © Andrew PerrottIf you love all that is best in theBritish countryside, you cannot fail toappreciate this often unheralded patchstraddling four counties. It is an areaunited by one single factor – chalk. Thegeology gives this area its wide opendownland topped by rampant whitehorses, dramatic scarp slopes, majesticancient woodland and sheltered valleyswith sparkling rivers and streams.But amidst the peace there is endlessfascination because the North WessexDowns are also packed with wildlife,history, romance and bustling business.Take a closerlook. You won’tbe disappointed.“Somewhere tobe explored,treasured andprotected“

“So preciousAn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a preciouslandscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty arerecognised as so outstanding that it should be protected for thenation. The North Wessex Downs make up the third largest ofBritain’s 46 AONBs, covering an area of 668 square miles (1,075square kilometres) and taking in 173 parishes including the markettowns of Hungerford and Marlborough.“ A living,workinglandscapeAs the celebrated poet Edward Thomaswrote: “This is pure downland, thebreasted hills curved as if under theinfluence of a great melody. It isbeautiful, quiet and unrenowned anda most visibly ancient landscape.”AONBs are not, however, just aboutbeing beautiful. They are living, workinglandscapes much loved by residents andvisitors alike.Conserving and enhancing the naturalbeauty of the North Wessex Downsis the responsibility of nine localauthorities in Berkshire, Hampshire,Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. They cometogether with community, farming,conservation, tourism and heritagerepresentatives to make up thegoverning Council of Partners, which issupported by a small professional team.The staff produce a management planfor the area and work with all interestedparties to make it happen.© Blue Sky Images

Digging downScratch the surface in the North Wessex Downs and you findwhat really makes it tick – chalk. The area lies at the heart of thechalk band that stretches across southern England and was onceunder a warm sea. The geology is based on tiny creatures thatlived in the sea around 65 million years ago and are the source oftoday’s soft rock.The fact that rain runs so readilythrough the chalk creates dryvalleys with streams and seasonalwinterbournes that carry crystal-clearfiltered water from hillside springs at aconstant temperature. Chalk streamsare internationally rare habitatsthat support some of the UK’s mostthreatened and fragile plants andanimals.The geology is responsible not just forthe rolling and sometimes dramaticcontours of the landscape but forsweeps of chalk grassland that haven’tbeen disturbed in centuries. Alongthe northern edge of the area runsone of Britain’s most ancient roads,the Ridgeway, the ancient chalk routeused by prehistoric man. The exposeddownland with its lack of waterencouraged the local population tosettle in the few river valleys where theycleared wildwood for arable crops andestablished pasture. Where you havechalk, you also often have flints thatcontribute to the character of the area’spicturesque villages.The North Wessex Downs have a richheritage – nowhere more so than atthe world heritage site of Avebury.Built and altered over many centuriesfrom around 2600 BC to 2200 BC, itsthree great stone circles enclosed bya massive bank and ditch made it oneof the principal ceremonial sites ofNeolithic Britain. Nearby is Silbury Hill,the motive for which remains one ofthe great unsolved mysteries. Thereare some 20 Neolithic barrows nearby.Other historic sites include Iron Ageenclosures and hillforts at Ladle andBeacon Hills in north Hampshire and atBarbury Castle in Wiltshire.“Silbury Hill,one of thegreat unsolvedmysteries© Blue Sky Images

Simply wildThe North Wessex Downs offer wildlife a diverse range of specialhabitats. Not least amongst them is the chalk grassland on thin,well-drained soils that are low in nutrients. Traditionally grazedby sheep and rabbits, the characteristically springy turf is a richhabitat that is teeming with farmland birds, chalk-loving flowersand rare butterflies. Wild flowers that thrive include the nectarrichscabious, early gentian, birdsfoot trefoil, pyramidal orchidand hairy violets. They in turn attract insects and you could wellbe lucky enough to see rare butterflies like the Adonis blue andsilver spotted skipper.Listen out for the ‘peewit’ call of thelapwing or the distinctive chirruping ofthe skylark. The rare stone curlew withits long yellow legs and round yelloweyes is a summer visitor. The NorthWessex Downs Farmland Bird Initiativehelps local farmers to protect a range ofrare birds.“Listen out forlapwings andskylarks“There are ancient heathlands atBucklebury and Inkpen, veteran treesat Ashampstead and Savernake, andbluebells in profusion at West Woodsnear Marlborough. The Pewsey DownsNational Nature Reserve is one of thefinest examples of chalk downland insouthern England. Small wonder theNorth Wessex Downs have no fewerthan 66 Sites of Special ScientificInterest (SSSIs).© Barry Stalker© Blue Sky Images

Famous placesThe simple beauty of the North Wessex Downs has capturedthe imaginations of writers and TV/film producers alike.Samuel Pepys, Richard Jefferies, Edward Thomas and JohnBetjeman all wrote about the area. The National Trust’sBasildon Park near Pangbourne with its impressive Georgianmansion was the setting for the 2005 feature film of JaneAusten’s Pride and Prejudice.More recently, Highclere Castle hasachieved national fame as the locationfor the hugely popular ITV seriesDownton Abbey. Avebury Manorcame to fame in 2011 as part of a TVtransformation which makes it and itsgardens well worth seeing as part ofa visit to the mystical stone circle. TheNational Trust cares for Ashdown Housenear Lambourn with its unusual dolls’house appearance and for Sir StanleySpencer’s striking pictures of First WorldWar Salonika filling a small chapel atBurghclere.All venues quoted here are open to theirown timetables and should be checkedbefore making visits.“A most visiblyancientlandscapeEdward Thomas 1878-1917“© Lord Carnarvon © Peter Orr

Getting hereStand on the top of the Downs and you could be many miles fromanywhere. But the reality is that, given their central location, theNorth Wessex Downs are actually very accessible. While thereare only two modest-sized market towns, the Downs have muchlarger towns like Reading, Swindon, Newbury, Basingstoke,Andover, Devizes and Didcot at their gateways, with no fewerthan eight railway stations in the area and 12 others nearby.Public transport is an environmentallyfriendlyand cost-effective option.The area benefits from a network ofinnovative bus services which will takeyou out into the more remote parts ofthe area. You can “dial-on-demand”to book some services. For moreinformation on getting around theNorth Wessex Downs by bus, coach andtrain visit www.traveline.com. Thereare over 900 miles of footpaths - werecommend some excellent walks onour website.The amazing scenery is also anargument for taking to the saddle, withplenty of opportunities whether youare a beginner or an owner wantingsomewhere to stay with stables. Or howabout touring the profusion of quietcountry lanes and byways by bike? TheNational Cycling Network route 4 is oneof the most pleasant ways to explorethe North Wessex Downs, following theKennet & Avon Canal out of Readingto Newbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn andPewsey to Devizes.Canal holidays are another relaxingway of enjoying the area. The maintowns all have companies offeringnarrow boat hire.© Nick Tipper

Take a wanderThe North Wessex Downs are well worth a wander, whether thatmeans the great outdoors or some more specific attraction. Thebig open skies with their panoramic views make the countrysideideal for bird watching, cycling, walking, fishing, riding – andstar-gazing on clear nights.The Lambourn valley is one of Britain’smost prolific centres for trainingracehorses, so you may well comeacross some very expensive horseflesh in your travels – or watch themcompete at Newbury Racecourse. Youcan also fish on the Kennet, Lambourn,Pang and Avon. If you want to set yourpulse racing a little faster, you could tryparagliding, kiteboarding and canoeingor take to the skies in a hot air balloon.Picturesque downland villages eachhave their own attractions which ofteninclude a fine church and sometimesa thatched country pub. Towns likeHungerford (famous for its antiques)and Marlborough with its impressiveGeorgian High Street and annual jazzfestival have much to offer, especiallyon market days. Savernake Forest isonly just outside Marlborough and isgreat for walks and picnics. The Kennet& Avon Canal meanders all the waythrough the area. It’s worth takingtime out from your stroll to admirethe steam-powered engineering atthe Crofton Pumping Station which isthe highest point on the canal and liftswater 400 feet (122m) from the river.“Big open skiesand panoramicviewsNorth Wessex DownsArea of Outstanding Natural BeautyUnits 3-4, Denford Manor, Lower Denford,Hungerford RG17 0UNtel: 01488 685440web: www.northwessexdowns.org.ukemail: info@northwessexdowns.org.ukPrinted on FSC approved stock using recycled contentDesign/production: www.publicityproject.co.ukProduced on behalf of the Council of Partners“