Some Suggested Itineraries for three days (4 nights) at Catkin Lodge

Day 1

Take a circular walk of about 4 miles taking in Stonehenge, The King Barrows, the Avenue,

the Curcus and circus These features which are contemporary with or predate Stonehenge are usually missed by the majority of visitors, but are important in gaining an understanding of the site as a whole. Alternatively the walk can be shortened and some of the sites visited by car. This trip also makes a pleasant cycle ride. We aim to be offering cycle hire in 2006. See Walks for more photos.

Day 2

If your feeling energetic, hire our bicycles and journey to Salisbury via the delightful Woodford valley, with its abundance of thatched cottages and riverside pubs. In Salisbury visit Old SarumCastle (the former site of Salisbury or New Sarum) and of course the magnificent Cathedral which has the highest spire in the UK. It is now possible to take a guided tour up to the base of the spire. This is a really worthwhile trip where you can see some of the early internal wooden structural supports and read graffiti from the 14th century. Take a stroll down the town path and sit where John Constable painted his famous painting of the Cathedral, the view is almost unchanged and un- spoilt since his time. There are so many other things to do and see in Salisbury; really good local Museums,and pubs, some dating from the 14th century. Some people even like to go shopping! For the less energetic, Salisbury is easily reached by car or bus.

 

Day 3

A trip to Avebury is a must for visitors to the area. The village of Avebury which lies partly within the stone circle is easily reached by car or bus. Avebury circle is a large ring of non- dressed large stones and an approach way known as the Avenue. The site which many including myself feel has a much greater atmosphere than Stonehenge. Although the stones are not quite to the scale of Stonehenge, the circle is much larger and will take 30 minutes+ to walk around. All the stones are completely accessible and there is no entrance fee. In the quaint village there are shops, a pub, a museum, visitors facilities, cafes etc. On the way to Avebury why not try to find a crop circle, as this is one of the main areas for interplanetary visitors! The Barge Inn at Honey Street, which is on the Kennet and Avon Canal and a pleasant point to have lunch while watching the narrow boats go by, is the headquarters of the crop circle fraternity, and they post photos of the latestcircles on the bar walls. Also fromhere is a super view of the Alton Barnes white horse which is carved out of the chalk downland.

 

 

Additional days

Day 4

A trip to the magnificent city of Bath is also one of the most popular trips. Less than an hours drive away or a scenic rail journey from Salisbury, is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. With its famous Roman hot water baths and its unique Georgian architecture, Bath is not to be missed. The magnificent splendour of the Circus and the Royal Crescent will carry you back to the bygone age of society tours of the 1800s.

Accommodation in Bath can be difficult to procure during the high season and is comparatively expensive so many people prefer to make a day trip from here. (Don't let that put you off staying in Bath if you really want to, I included that just as additional information for tourists).

Day 5

Other interesting day trips from here are:

Winchester with its stunning Cathedral. Near to Winchester is the picturesque Watercress Line, a steam train preservation site where you can take a trip back to the 1950s and beyond. A 9 mile stretch of branch line is now connected to the main British Rail network. Most days the train will take you the 9 miles and back in a couple of hours or so but at weekends during the summer longer trips to the south coast are organized with breakfast dinner included onboard in style.

Wilton House A beautiful Palladian style mansion with superb artifacts within, including a large collection of Van Dyke paintings. Nearby is the 400 year old carpet factory and shopping village. Wilton was once the capital of Wessex.

One of the gems ofthis part of Southern England is the New Forest (which is actually ancient), a mixture of thousands of acres of woodland and heath where you can drive through seeing unfenced animals such as ponies,pigs, donkeys and dear all roaming freely around.

Just south of the New Forest lies Bealieau village famous for the National Motor Museum which is another great day out and nearby the charming Bucklers Hard which although quiet now was once the hive of industry with many of the wooden naval boats being constructed there.

The New Forest stretches from just south of Salisbury (i.e. 20-30 minutes drive away),to the South coast with its pretty coastal market towns like Lymington where you can take a ferry for a day trip to the Isle of Wight.

 

 

Shaftsbury with its superb preserved cottages on Gold Hill and Maiden Castle both of which were use in the filming of Thomas Hardy's "Far from the Madding Crowd" are also well worth a visit and together would make a great day trip.

Only a few miles from Catkin Lodge are the Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm and the Hawk Conservancy where all forms of birds of prey are flown on a daily basis. This makes for a splendid morning or afternoon trip.