Key facts
OS grid ref: SU069257
What3words: ///swordfish.organist.waters
Postcode: SP5
Post town: Salisbury
Unitary Authority: Wiltshire
Parliamentary Constituency: Salisbury
Bishopstone
The idyllic, peaceful village of Bishopstone sits in a beautiful chalk stream valley, with the crystal clear waters of the River Ebble flowing through it. It’s about five miles south west of Salisbury on the border with Hampshire and includes the hamlets of Croucheston and The Pitts, or Pitts Road.
The drive from Bishopstone to Salisbury takes less than 20 minutes on the A354 or A36 with easy access to the cathedral city, its shops, restaurants, bars, heritage and culture. From here you can get a train to London in less than 90 minutes. Salisbury Reds operates a bus route through the village.
The bustling village of Broad Chalke with its school, leisure centre, shop and café is about a five-minute drive away.
Bishopstone has a vibrant village community which hosts activities throughout the year, often from the village hall. The hall hosts yoga, Pilates and exercise classes, as well as coffee mornings, playgroups, mother and toddler groups and community lunches. There’s a village website for locals and visitors alike and a parish magazine.
The 18th Century White Hart is a traditional family pub in the heart of the village. It has a beer garden and children’s play area for the summer months and a roaring log fire in the depths of winter.
History
In the Middle Ages, the village was known as ‘Bishop’s Farm’ as it belonged to the Bishop of Winchester.
The parish boundary is marked by Grim’s Ditch, an Iron Age territorial earthwork, while the Roman Road from Dorchester to Old Sarum runs through the parish and is clearly visible for about a mile.
The Grade I listed, St John the Baptist Church even included traces of a 12th Century building in the rubble walls of the nave.
Walking and cycling
The area around Bishopstone is defined by the chalk stream valley of the River Ebble, with miles of footpaths and bridleways for walking, cycling and horseriding.
Here is a circular walk route which, conveniently, starts and finishes at the White Hart!