Key facts
OS grid ref: ST992242
Postcode: SP5
What3words: ///denoting.unhelpful.pinging
Post town: Salisbury
Unitary Authority: Wiltshire
Parliamentary Constituency: Salisbury
Ebbesbourne Wake
Ebbesbourne Wake is a small, pretty village tucked away near the head of the valley of the River Ebble in Cranborne Chase. Around 10 miles south west of Salisbury, it includes the hamlets of Fifield Bavant and West End.
Ebbesbourne Wake is less than a half-hour drive from the cathedral city of Salisbury, with its shops, restaurants, pubs, culture, heritage and facilities. From there, the Exeter to London line takes you to Waterloo in less than 90 minutes. It’s about 20 minutes to Shaftesbury, and the lively village of Broad Chalke with lots of facilities is just a 10-minute drive away. Salisbury Reds has a bus route here.
There’s a strong sense of community in the village, with a website and The Ebble, the local newsletter for Alvediston, Ebbesbourne Wake and Fifield Bavant, listing community news and upcoming events. The Village Hall is the hub for local events – all signs of rich community spirit that is part of village life here.
The village has a local pub – the traditional, family-run Horseshoe Inn. Situated in beautiful Wiltshire countryside, the inn has a lovely beer garden to relax in and serves hearty meals and a great selection of real ales.
History
There has been a church in the village since the 13th Century. The present one, St John the Baptist, is largely 14th Century and was designated as Grade II listed in 1960. It has a font with its drain hole stopped with a champagne cork!
Fifield Bavant is really a hamlet rather than a village, but deserves a mention as part of the Ebbesbourne Wake parish as it is home to the smallest church in Wiltshire and arguably the second smallest in England. The pretty church of St Martin of Tours was built in the 13th Century and is worth a visit.
Walking and cycling
The area sits within Cranborne Chase, and there are stunning walks all around on local footpaths.
Here you can find a 5½ mile walk by Discover Chalke Valley, exploring Ebbesbourne Wake and Bowerchalke. There are stiles, kissing gates, grass tracks and tree lined avenues – but look out for the ‘Beware of the Bull’ sign!