Key facts
OS grid ref: SU080355
Postcode: SP2
Post town: Salisbury
What3words: ///darkens.intestine.glitter
Unitary Authority: Wiltshire
Parliamentary Constituency: Salisbury
Great Wishford
Wiltshire villages often have that timeless quality, but none more so than the picturesque Great Wishford, once called Wishford Magna, in the Wylye Valley.
The A36 trunk road runs along the Wylye Valley across the river from the village which sits in a curve in the River Wylye, halfway between the cathedral city of Salisbury and the market town of Warminster. It’s a 20 to 25-minute drive to Salisbury or Warminster and 10 minutes to Wilton with its facilities. The train from Salisbury takes less than 90 minutes to London. Salisbury Reds operates a bus service through the village.
The village is especially known for its traditional feel, a strong community and a treasured heritage. It’s one of the few villages that still celebrates the ancient Oak Apple Day on May 29 when villagers claim their right to collect wood from nearby Grovely Wood, part of a grand hunting forest from the 14th Century.
On Oak Apple Day, a band walks through the streets in the early hours and villagers gather oak at dawn before heading for a hearty breakfast at the pub, The Royal Oak. Then it’s on to Salisbury Cathedral for dancing outside and claiming rights inside by shouting: “Grovely, Grovely, Grovely and all Grovely”. Then there’s a meal back at the village in the Oak Apple Field.
The village has a primary school and a fly fishing club founded in the 19th Century.
History
The history of Great Wishford is fascinating.
To the west of the village lies an Iron Age settlement and the hillfort of Ebsbury. A thousand years ago, Great Wishford was in the hands of the Abbess of Wilton and according to the Doomsday Book, the village was just a hamlet called Wicheford.
A church at Great Wishford was recorded as far back as 1207 and the present flint and limestone St Giles Church has a 12th Century font bowl and a 13th Century chancel. The tower has six bells, five of them from the 18th Century. Set into the wall of the church are nine engraved ‘bread stones’ recording the price of bread from 1800, during the Napoleon blockade, until 2000.
Walking and cycling
National Cycle Route 24 and the Monarch’s Way long distance footpath pass close to the village.
The area is perfect for walking, so if you want to explore on foot this four-mile walk, the Hadden Hill loop from Great Wishford from Komoot takes you through Grovely Wood – don’t forget your ribbon for the witches trees!
