Salisbury Plain

Directory Information

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About Salisbury Plain

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain

The chalk plateau in central southern England creates the Salisbury Plain covering 300 square miles. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation and largely lies within the county of Wiltshire. The plain is famous for its rich archaeology, including Stonehenge, one of England’s best known landmarks. Largely as a result of the establishment of the Army Training Estate Salisbury Plain, the plain is sparsely populated and is the largest remaining area of calcareous grassland in north-west Europe.

History

Army Training on Salisbury Plain
Army Training on Salisbury Plain
  • In the Neolithic period, Stone Age man began to settle on the plain with large long barrows like White Barrow and other earthworks built across the plain.
  • By 2500 BC the settlement areas were around Durrington Walls and Stonehenge, and the southern part of the plain continued to be settled into the Bronze Age.
  • Around 600 BC, Iron Age Hill Forts were constructed around the edges of the plain, these include Bratton Camp and Scratchbury Camp.
  • Evidence of Roman roads are visible close to Old Sarum. 
  • Anglo-Saxon times saw the plain as a grain producing area judging by the place names.
  • There are a number of chalk carvings on the plain, of which the most famous is the Westbury White Horse.
  • The Kennet and Avon Canal was constructed  through the Vale of Pewsey, to the north of the plain.
  • Salisbury Plain was used as a training camp for those about to fight in the second World War as the village of Imber was evacuated.  The village has never been inhabited since.  Military training continues here.

Facts

  • Population – N/A
  • Unitary Authority – Wiltshire Council
  • Major Industries – Military (Army Training)
  • Post Town – SALISBURY
  • Postcode District – SP3 & SP4
  • Police – Wiltshire Police
  • Fire – Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
  • Ambulance – Great Western Ambulance Service

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Salisbury Plain

Salisbury Plain

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