1st.Take "Discovering Counties" Series

Ref: FT144D

Price:£14.95

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Celebrate Wiltshire’s rich history by joining us on this first part of a fascinating journey, in which we explore the spectacular south of the county.

You will enjoy a diverse range of locations from the World Heritage site at Stonehenge to the sad remains of the lost country village of Imber in the middle of Salisbury Plain. Discover the origins of the famous white horses that decorate the downs and the less well-known military emblems carved in the chalk by soldiers stationed in Wiltshire during the First World War, at places such as Fovant, Compton Chamberlayne and Lamb Down Hill.

We will also explore some of the unique customs and traditions of the area, such as the continued commemoration of Oak Apple Day in Great Wishford; and see how the largest flighted bird in the world, the Great Bustard, once a common sight in these parts, has been reintroduced into its natural habitat. Our journey also takes in historic houses, medieval castles and museums such as those at Salisbury and Market Lavington, which provide an insight into the people of the area, the way they lived and their occupations. Other highlights include visits to Warminster Maltings, Britain’s oldest working maltings, and the aptly named Stonehenge Ales at Netheravon.

Our South Wiltshire odyssey also includes features on Downton, on the very edge of the New Forest, Old Sarum, Wilton, Baverstock, Ansty, Tisbury, Fonthill Bishop, East Knoyle, Trowbridge, Potterne, Market Lavington, Shrewton, Ludgershall and Amesbury, before finishing at the majestic Stonehenge.

Complemented by stunning modern film, revealing interviews with an array of informed contributors and rare archive material, this historical tour of South Wiltshire will give you the desire to go out and see these places for yourself.

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 2019
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 106-mins (1hr 46min)

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Ref: FT145D

Price:£14.95

Quantity:

Explore North Wiltshire’s rich heritage by embarking on an historical tour of the area, which includes visits to some of the most picturesque towns and villages in the West Country, and a wide variety of places of interest. As with the first volume, which concentrated on the south of the county, it is presented by best-selling author Henry Buckton.

North Wiltshire is indisputably a land of contrasts. It contains some of Britain’s best known prehistoric monuments, such as the Avebury Stone Circle, Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, all of which are featured. This ancient landscape is explained superbly by David Dawson, Director of the wondrous Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, which holds many treasures of its own. The area is largely rural and full of beautiful old-world villages, such as Castle Combe, Aldbourne and Pewsey, and is also adorned by several of the county’s famous white horses.

However, North Wiltshire was also at the heart of Britain’s industrialisation and you will enjoy an in-depth feature on the Kennet and Avon Canal, very much the M4 motorway of its day. The canal was restored after years of neglect and is now a delightful waterway. Crofton Pumping Station, which was an integral part of the canal system, is home to the oldest working steam engines in the world still performing the job they were built to do.

Other important industries featured are Avon Rubber in Melksham, and the Harris pork processing factory in Calne. You will also see how railways helped the area to expand, particularly in Swindon where the Great Western Railway was such a major employer, and there is an interesting feature on the county’s only heritage line, the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Other highlights include visits to the attractive towns of Bradford-on-Avon, Chippenham, Marlborough, with a focus on the beautiful Merchant’s House; Corsham, where we spotlight the 17th century Almshouse and Schoolroom; and Malmesbury, with its majestic Abbey and stimulating Athelstan Museum. Throughout our journey, rare archive images are blended with stunning modern film to create an unforgettable portrayal of this enchanting corner of England.

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 2019
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 109-mins (1hr 49min)

To tell a friend about this item, click to Share or send an Email: