Page 91 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

HA MPSHIRE AND SALISBUR Y PLAIN  89

HAMPSHIRE AND

SALISBURY PLAIN

A unique mix of natural features gives this region
its distinctive landscapes, from the great rolling
chalk plateau of Salisbury Plain to green river
valleys and the huge natural harbours facing
the Isle of Wight. They have formed the backdrop to a fascinating mix of
people throughout history, from the builders of prehistoric Stonehenge and
medieval cathedrals to 18th-century mariners and famous novelists.
Although often empty-looking to modern such as Beaulieu, Stourhead, Bowood
eyes, around 5,000 years ago the downs of and Longleat, which is now best known
Salisbury Plain were home to early settlers for its wild animal park. Hampshire’s
who created the mysterious stone circles of quiet, leafy villages have a special charm,
Stonehenge and Avebury and other prehis- and several provided the setting for the
toric sites, from West Kennet Long Barrow stories of one of the county’s most famous
to Silbury Hill. From Roman times onwards residents, Jane Austen. Winchester and
the grasslands of the plain provided pasture Salisbury have two of England’s finest
for sheep, whose wool was exported across medieval cathedrals, and there are
Europe, making towns such as Bradford- beautiful lesser-known churches nearby
on-Avon and Devizes wealthy. such as Romsey Abbey.
Saxon settlers arrived in the 4th century, Many of the region’s rivers run south into
and occupied the valleys around the plain. natural harbours. Thanks to these, cities
Winchester, on the River Itchen, was the such as Southampton and Portsmouth
capital of Saxon Wessex and the first capital have played a central role in Britain’s
of England. In 1079, William the Conqueror maritime history, from the earliest days
made a corner of Hampshire a royal hunting of sailing ships to the era of transatlantic
reserve known as the New Forest; it has pre- liners. The Solent, between the coast and
served its woods and heathlands ever since. the Isle of Wight, is also the historic home
Later aristocrats built magnificent country of competitive yachting, and its many
mansions set in glorious parks and gardens, harbours are a paradise for sailing fans.

The stunning 14th- and 15th-century Perpendicular Gothic nave of Winchester Cathedral, the longest cathedral in England
A bird’s-eye view of yachts racing in Cowes Week, one of the longest-running international regattas, which takes place on the Solent

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