Netheravon: Village History on the River Avon

Netheravon lies on the River Avon on the edge of Salisbury Plain and combines a remarkable village history with a varied walking experience. Those looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation for their stay can choose between historical discoveries and a longer walk here. It is worth considering your own interests carefully: the villagescape tells the story of many centuries, while the Netheravon Airfield Circular Walk offers different path surfaces and a route of 7.5 miles or 12 kilometres.

Church, Village History and Notable Buildings

An important landmark is the Church of All Saints. Its fabric dates back to the 11th, 12th, 13th and 15th centuries. Particularly striking is a high arch that probably dates from the early 11th century. The history of the village goes back even further: Netheravon was probably the site of a religious house dating from before the Norman Conquest. The medieval village initially seems to have been concentrated around the church and was partly relocated because of flooding.

Elsewhere in the village, the High Street has largely retained its 18th-century character. Netheravon House was built after 1734 for Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort. The building stands on the site of a Roman villa and is listed as a Grade II* building. Netheravon therefore offers several historical points of interest, without the village's history being limited to just one era.

An unusual detail is the Netheravon Dovecote. The dovecote dates from the early 18th century and retains most of its original 700 limestone nesting boxes. It can be seen from the southern edge of Millennium Park, about 20 metres away, after walking there from the church car park. For visitors interested in historic building forms and less familiar details, this site provides an engaging addition to the village church and the High Street.

Walking at the Historic Airfield

The Netheravon Airfield Circular Walk offers a different focus. Netheravon Airfield was in continuous use from 1913 to 2012. The route is 7.5 miles or 12 kilometres long and runs over paved paths, tracks, uneven ground and grassland. When planning your day, bear in mind that the route does not have the same surface throughout.

The Circular Walk is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Families should take this point into account when planning their outing, just as they should consider the length of the route. Those travelling with children of different ages may therefore view the historic sites in the village and the walk as two clearly separate focuses: the village's history can be explored through its buildings, streetscape and the Dovecote, while the circular route covers a longer distance with changing path conditions.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Plans

A simple prioritisation can help when looking for holiday accommodation in Netheravon. If you are mainly seeking historical impressions, the Church of All Saints, High Street, Netheravon House and the Dovecote should be at the centre of your plans. If, on the other hand, you want to include a longer tour, you should take the 12 kilometres and the Airfield Circular Walk's various path surfaces into account from the outset. This allows your choice of accommodation to match your preferred travel rhythm, without the need for additional promises about facilities or location.

See More Places

If you would like to consider other destinations for your travel plans in addition to Netheravon, you can also view Chippenham, Colerne, Ogbourne St George, Trowbridge, Ludgershall, Salisbury, Lyneham and Marlborough.

To the higher-level travel overview: Wiltshire.