History

People have lived in the Downton area for over 7,000 years, and evidence of Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlements has been found. Early Neolithic finds and the remains of a Roman Villa (including a fine mosaic) are in Salisbury Museum.

The village of Downton has the earthworks of a Norman motte and bailey castle lying within 18th Century Moot landscaped gardens overlooking the river. The Moot is a scheduled monument and part of the village is a conservation area containing over 80 listed buildings.

Evidence of recent economic history (such as tanning and corn milling) can be seen in the old buildings and the mills that used to power local industry.

For more information about the history of Downton, click here.

Environment

The Parish of Downton, sitting in the Avon Valley landscape, is characterised by chalk downlands and water meadows. It is predominantly rural with a landscape developed over many centuries of human activity. The village of Downton, straddling the River Avon, is an historic crossing point towards the southern end of the parish, .

To the north of the parish is the residential hamlet of Charlton All Saints, and to the east of the parish is Standlynch, additionally there are farms and scattered buildings within the rural area including the historic Trafalgar Park House.