1. Home
  2. England
  3. Wiltshire
  4. Wiltshire
  5. Wiltshire
  6. Windmillhill Down

Windmillhill Down

Downs, Moorland in Wiltshire

England

Windmillhill Down

Windmillhill Down, Wiltshire Windmillhill after a rain storm.
Windmillhill Down, Wiltshire Credit: Rebecca A Wills

Windmillhill Down is a prominent geographical feature located in Wiltshire, England. Covering an area of approximately 250 hectares, it is part of a larger expanse of chalk downland known as the Marlborough Downs. The down is situated near the village of Avebury and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The landscape of Windmillhill Down is characterized by gently rolling hills, scattered with a diverse range of flora and fauna. The area is primarily covered in grasses and wildflowers, including species such as cowslips, harebells, and orchids. The downland is also home to a variety of insects, birds, and mammals, making it a haven for wildlife.

At the top of Windmillhill Down, a Bronze Age round barrow can be found, a testament to the area's rich history. The down also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Avebury Stone Circle, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors to Windmillhill Down can enjoy a multitude of activities, including walking, hiking, and birdwatching. The down is crisscrossed by a network of footpaths and bridleways, providing ample opportunities to explore the area. Additionally, the downland is a popular spot for picnicking and stargazing due to its remote location and lack of light pollution.

In conclusion, Windmillhill Down is a picturesque and ecologically diverse area in Wiltshire, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Marlborough Downs and explore its fascinating history.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Windmillhill Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.257249/-1.6455794 or Grid Reference SU2450. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Windmillhill Down, Wiltshire Windmillhill after a rain storm.
Windmillhill Down, Wiltshire
Windmillhill after a rain storm.
Tank crossing, Cow Down
Tank crossing, Cow Down
View towards Pickpit Hill From a tank crossing on the A338.
View towards Pickpit Hill
From a tank crossing on the A338.
Farmland, Collingbourne Ducis A bridleway heading along the westernmost extremity of Collinbourne Wood approaches a field of cattle.
Farmland, Collingbourne Ducis
A bridleway heading along the westernmost extremity of Collinbourne Wood approaches a field of cattle.
Beech Hill Road, Tidworth Beech Hill Road is a road between Tidworth Road and Hawthorn Road in Tidworth. It also connects to Cherry Tree Avenue.
Beech Hill Road, Tidworth
Beech Hill Road is a road between Tidworth Road and Hawthorn Road in Tidworth. It also connects to Cherry Tree Avenue.
Beech Hill Road, Tidworth Beech Hill Road is a road between Tidworth Road and Hawthorn Road in Tidworth. It also connects to Cherry Tree Avenue.
Beech Hill Road, Tidworth
Beech Hill Road is a road between Tidworth Road and Hawthorn Road in Tidworth. It also connects to Cherry Tree Avenue.
Halton Road, Perham Down Halton Road is a road in Perham Down off Somme Road, leading to Wouldham Close and Upnor Close.
Halton Road, Perham Down
Halton Road is a road in Perham Down off Somme Road, leading to Wouldham Close and Upnor Close.
Wellington Primary Academy, Tidworth
Wellington Primary Academy, Tidworth
New link road under construction north of new housing at Tidworth
New link road under construction north of new housing at Tidworth
A342 near Leckford Bridge Helicopters for 3 miles: not the commonest of roadside signs!
A342 near Leckford Bridge
Helicopters for 3 miles: not the commonest of roadside signs!
Tidworth Military Cemetery
Tidworth Military Cemetery
Remains of earthworks at Ludgershall Castle
Remains of earthworks at Ludgershall Castle
The Queens Head, Ludgershall
The Queens Head, Ludgershall
Flint and brick houses at Ludgershall
Flint and brick houses at Ludgershall
High Street, Ludgershall
High Street, Ludgershall
In search of the M&SWJ: northward towards Collingbourne Ducis Photo taken from what was once a hump-back bridge over a railway line. The track was lifted in 1961, and the arch of the bridge filled in, leaving a chalky mound. The track alignment must - I think - have run along the low embankment on the left. A well-used path (not shown by the OS as a right of way) runs parallel to the embankment on its eastern side. The Midland & South Western Junction Railway existed as an independent entity from 1884 until 1923, when it was absorbed into the Great Western. Its main line (if 'main line' you could call it) ran cross-country from Swindon south to Andover and north-west to reach Cheltenham. No doubt its busiest times were during the two world wars. Looking at this stretch of countryside in 2017, I find it hard to believe that once - as a boy - I made a train journey that took me past this very spot. But I did, and somewhere I still have the ticket to prove it.
In search of the M&SWJ: northward towards Collingbourne Ducis
Photo taken from what was once a hump-back bridge over a railway line. The track was lifted in 1961, and the arch of the bridge filled in, leaving a chalky mound. The track alignment must - I think - have run along the low embankment on the left. A well-used path (not shown by the OS as a right of way) runs parallel to the embankment on its eastern side. The Midland & South Western Junction Railway existed as an independent entity from 1884 until 1923, when it was absorbed into the Great Western. Its main line (if 'main line' you could call it) ran cross-country from Swindon south to Andover and north-west to reach Cheltenham. No doubt its busiest times were during the two world wars. Looking at this stretch of countryside in 2017, I find it hard to believe that once - as a boy - I made a train journey that took me past this very spot. But I did, and somewhere I still have the ticket to prove it.
In search of the M&SWJ: south towards Ludgershall The path follows the alignment of the old Midland & South Western Junction Railway. Tracks were laid in the early 1880s, and services lasted until 1961. Walking along this path in 2017 I found it hard to believe that once, as a boy, I passed this spot on a journey south from Swindon, when the line was still a going concern. For a bit more on the history of the line see: <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5388667">SU2452 : In search of the M&SWJ: northward towards Collingbourne Ducis</a>
In search of the M&SWJ: south towards Ludgershall
The path follows the alignment of the old Midland & South Western Junction Railway. Tracks were laid in the early 1880s, and services lasted until 1961. Walking along this path in 2017 I found it hard to believe that once, as a boy, I passed this spot on a journey south from Swindon, when the line was still a going concern. For a bit more on the history of the line see: SU2452 : In search of the M&SWJ: northward towards Collingbourne Ducis
1, 3 & 5, Deweys Lane
1, 3 & 5, Deweys Lane
Show me another place!

Windmillhill Down is located at Grid Ref: SU2450 (Lat: 51.257249, Lng: -1.6455794)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire

What 3 Words

///faces.bonds.efficient. Near Ludgershall, Wiltshire

Nearby Locations

Pickpit Hill Windmillhill Down Windmillhill Plantation

Related Wikis

Ludgershall Castle
Ludgershall Castle

Ludgershall Castle is a ruined 12th-century fortified royal residence at Ludgershall in Wiltshire, England. Three large walls still remain of the castle...

Perriam Down
Perriam Down

Perriam Down or Perriam Downs, near Ludgershall, Wiltshire, England was a venue for five first-class cricket matches and at least three other matches between...

Ludgershall, Wiltshire
Ludgershall, Wiltshire

Ludgershall ( LUG-ər-shawl, with a hard g) is a town and civil parish 16 miles (26 km) north east of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. It is on the A342 road...

Ludgershall railway station, Wiltshire
Ludgershall railway station, Wiltshire

Ludgershall railway station was a railway station which served the town of Ludgershall in Wiltshire, England from 1882 to 1961. == History == The station...

Perham Down
Perham Down

Perham Down is a village in Wiltshire, England, in Tidworth parish on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain. It lies on a minor road about 1+1⁄2 miles (2...

Swinton Barracks
Swinton Barracks

Swinton Barracks is a military installation accommodating two engineer regiments at Perham Down in Wiltshire, England. The site is on the east edge of...

The Wellington Academy
The Wellington Academy

The Wellington Academy, founded in 2009, is an 11–19 non-selective state-funded school near Ludgershall, Wiltshire, England. The school has academy status...

Tidworth
Tidworth

Tidworth is a garrison town and civil parish in south-east Wiltshire, England, on the eastern edge of Salisbury Plain. Lying on both sides of the A338...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.257249,-1.6455794
Windmillhill Down
Ele: 187
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 51.2571996/-1.6482524
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Brownlow Green Warwickshire
West Park Yorkshire

Have you been to Windmillhill Down?

Leave your review of Windmillhill Down below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy