Page 268 - demo

Oxford to Salisbury

[Return to the Heart of England Index]

This touring route from Oxford makes its way across the North Wessex Downs in
Hampshire and out on to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. In so doing it will take you to the
world famous monument at Stonehenge and on to the cathedral city of Salisbury.

The region abounds in historical importance. This was the centre of Wessex, the kingdom of King
Alfred with its capital at Winchester. But it is also the site of Amesbury, now accepted as the oldest
inhabited area in Britain.

The origins and purpose of monuments at Woodhenge and Stonehenge are lost in the mists of
time, yet today, as we explore the furthest reaches of the universe, they still hold a huge
fascination for us.

The cathedrals at Salisbury and Winchester are among the most important ecclesiastical (that’s
“churchy” if you didn’t know) buildings in the country.

You have three options on this trip:

1: To Salisbury along the A34, A303 and the A343. Distance: 70.8 miles. Non-stop driving time
about 1 3/4hrs. Routes 7, 1 and 2 on the map. See the next page for Navigation notes.

2: First to Stonehenge before carrying on to Salisbury. To Stonehenge it’s 62.1 miles, about 1
hr 20min. Then a further 9.1 miles, 20 minutes to Salisbury. Routes 7 and 1 on the map.

2: Via Winchester. You can take a diversion from the direct route to visit Winchester. Click here
for this option . . . To Winchester Distance 56.1 mi, about 1h 20m travel time. Winchester to
Salisbury 25 miles, about 40 minutes. Routes 7 and 3 on the map. . See the next page for
Navigation notes.

What’s to see and do along the way?

Information on Salisbury, Wilton and Winchester

Highclere Castle setting for the enormously successful
Downton Abbey tv series. The castle is a Jacobean style
country house with gardens landscaped by the
redoubtable Capability Brown.

Museum of Army Flying. Home to a collection of military aviation history of both international and
national importance. A selection of historic fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, detailed dioramas,
artefacts, trophies and models which serve as a profound and inspiring tribute to the Army and
their machines. You can also try your hand flying as a pilot of one of the famous Red Arrows
aerobatic team. In a simulator, of course.