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corner of East St and Hyden Farm Lane. Opposite the pub a stone monument marks the site of
the Hambledon Downs Cricket Club’s grounds.
More recently a retired Major General started the rebirth of English vine growing and the making of
English white wine which had died out in the time of King Henry VIII some 400 years earlier.
Hambledon Vineyard is the oldest commercial vineyard in England and specialises in sparkling
wine.
London To Stonehenge, Winchester or Salisbury
Stonehenge. Probably the No 1 attraction outside of London for
many people. Walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors at
one of the wonders of the world and the best known prehistoric
monument in Europe. Explore the ancient landscape on foot and
step inside the Neolithic houses to discover the tools and objects
of every day Stone Age life. Visit the world-class visitor centre with
250 ancient objects . . . and come face to face with a 5,500 year-
old man.
Hawk Conservancy Trust Set in 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow, there are over 150
birds of prey on view here, from the tiny Pygmy Owl to the impressive Steller’s Sea Eagles. Many
of these birds are involved in spectacular daily flying demonstrations, whilst others are part of
important breeding or environmental enrichment projects.
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.
Amesbury, now established as the oldest settlement in Britain, is the site of Woodhenge, part of
the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. Woodhenge is an atmospheric Neolithic site close to
Stonehenge. Probably built about 2300 BC, it was originally believed to be the remains of a large
burial mound, surrounded by a bank and ditch almost completely destroyed by ploughing. Aerial
photography detected rings of dark spots in a crop of wheat, and today concrete markers replace
the six concentric rings of timber posts which are believed to have once supported a ring-shaped
building.
There is evidence that it was in use around 1800 BC. It is possible that the banks and ditches
were used for defensive purposes in addition to its ceremonial function.