Key facts
Steeple Langford
OS grid ref: SU038374
Postcode: SP3
Post town: Salisbury
What3words: ///condensed.hunt.paths
Unitary Authority: Wiltshire
Parliamentary Constituency: Salisbury
The Langfords
The beautiful Langfords in the valley of the River Wylye, includes the village of Steeple Langford and the hamlets of Little Langford, Hanging Langford and Bathampton, all in the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape).
This is a stunning pocket of Wiltshire with the crystal clear waters of River Wylye at the heart of the landscape for centuries, with quintessentially English scenery, thatched cottages and a vibrant, local community.
Although this is rural Wiltshire at its best, The Langfords are also close to the A36, just 25 minutes from the cathedral city of Salisbury with its shops, restaurants, bars, heritage, culture and amenities. The train from here to Waterloo takes less than 90 minutes.
Steeple Langford is on the north side of the river, while Hanging and Little Langford are on the opposite bank. Steeple Langford is the largest of the villages.
Right on the doorstep is Langford Lake Nature Reserve managed by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. It’s a mosaic of meadows, lakes and the River Wylye of course, a paradise for bird-lovers and walkers alike.
The communities are close and have lots happening, with a community website and village hall. There’s a volunteer-run sports and social club at Steeple Langford with a bar and clubhouse, with the pavilion as home to the cricket team.
There have been allotments in Steeple Langford since 1866 – today this is a supportive grower community which is flourishing. There are local film nights, live music events, table tennis matches, exercise classes, short mat bowls, Scottish reel dancing, a writer’s group and once a month, the Langford Big Breakfast.
The Rainbow on the Lake is the local pub in Steeple Langford, which overlooks Langford Lakes Nature Reserve.
Local bus services are operated by Salisbury Reds and First Bus.
History
There’s evidence of settlements in the Langfords dating back to Neolithic times and there are Iron Hillforts nearby – Yarnbury Castle and Grovely Castle. Steeple Langford dates from 943AD and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
The first bridge over the River Wylye was in Duck Street in the late 19th Century.
Walking and cycling
Any walks around the Langfords have to start with the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve. There’s a one mile loop walk around the lake. In spring there are great-crested grebes, reed warblers, waders and terns and as the cold weather sets in there are shoveler and wigeon. Occasionally there’s a sighting of the endangered and terribly shy bittern.
