Key facts
OS grid ref: SU1576133148
What3words: ///boarded.flanks.crinkled
Postcode: SP4
Post town: Salisbury
Unitary Authority: Wiltshire
Parliamentary Constituency: Salisbury
Ford
Ford is a quiet, but popular, village just two miles from Salisbury, near the English Heritage site of Old Sarum.
Ford has a mix of charming cottages and modern houses, and is a dream for dog lovers with miles of gorgeous country walks and the River Bourne flowing quietly through the village.
Living in Ford is ideal for those who appreciate the tranquillity of village life without being too far removed from modern conveniences – it’s just a 10-minute drive to Salisbury with all its shops, amenities and mainline train station.
The village is on the doorstep of Old Sarum, an ancient hilltop settlement, that was once the site of Salisbury’s original cathedral, and a thriving medieval town.
Today, Old Sarum is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into England’s past and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
History
There is evidence that Ford has been inhabited since at least the 7th Century, with the River Bourne a vital water source for early occupiers.
Ford’s development has been closely linked to Old Sarum, and the village likely served as a farming community that catered to the needs of Old Sarum’s inhabitants.
Many of the chalk and flint cottages that still stand in Ford date back to the 18th and 19th Centuries, and modern housing has grown, catering to those who look for a peaceful, rural lifestyle within easy reach of modern amenities and transport links.
The historic Old Sarum Airfield, in the neighbouring village of Laverstock, was originally known as Ford Farm, and was requisitioned by the War Office in 1917 for use by the Royal Flying Corps as a base for flying and fighter training. In WWII the airfield was attacked during the Battle of Britain but did not suffer significant damage. Thousands of ground personnel, and virtually all RAF motor transport vehicles destined for Normandy, passed through the airfield, making it an integral part of the organisational structure of the D-Day Landings.
Old Sarum ended its service as an RAF airfield in 1971.
Today, the site houses several large modern warehouses and office blocks, as well as the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, which includes several operational vintage aircraft.
Walking and cycling
The village is located in a particularly beautiful part of Wiltshire, with easy access to the Iron Age hillfort of Old Sarum, today managed by English Heritage.
The site is a favourite with walkers. Climb to the top for amazing views and imagine how the site would have looked as a medieval city in its prime.
