Ebbesbourne
Wake is mentioned in the Domesday Book and lies 12 miles southwest of
Salisbury. It's one of the prettiest villages in the Chalke Valley, an Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and makes a perfect base for exploring the
nearby Dorset coastline, shooting, fishing, walking, cycling, and golf
(Rushmore golf course is 15 minutes drive away, and The Open qualifying course,
Remedy Oak, is a 25 minute drive).
Near the head of the River Ebble valley, there is the Grade II* listed church of St John the Baptist that has been at the centre of the village since the 15th century. The Telegraph described the renowned Horseshoe pub as one of the best-kept secrets in the country and it was Alastair Sawday’s 2015/16 winner of the UK’s ‘Most authentic pub’. The landlord Tony and his wife Pat offer a warm welcome, excellent beers from the barrel and good home-cooked food. It’s a pleasant 10/15 minute walk downhill from the Barn.
There are
many other fine country pubs and restaurants close by, such as The Museum, The King John, The
Compasses, The Royal Oak, The Beckford Arms, 10 Castle Street, and The
Forester where you will find delicious food, good wine and local ales.
The nearest village shop for provisions is Chalke Valley Stores in Broad Chalke (an 8 minute drive) which stocks lots of home grown produce, fresh bread and a delicious deli selection in their well-stocked fridges as well as other basics including newspapers. It is unsurprising that it was a recent winner of the Daily Telegraph/Countryside Alliance award for Best Village Shop/Post Office in the UK. Ludwell shop and post office (15 minute drive) is another award winner and has pretty much everything you could need. Ansty farm shop (15 minute drive) is another local gem and also has PYO soft fruits and berries. Sixpenny Handley (12 minute drive) has a good general shop as well as a fine village butchers, and at Tisbury (15 minute drive) you will find a small Co-op, butcher, fishmonger, green grocer, fabulous delicatessen, chemist, florist and coffee shop. All three villages have a post office. Tisbury also has a popular train station which is on the main line to London Waterloo. Salisbury is a 30 minute drive and Shaftesbury (made famous by the original Hovis advertisement filmed on Gold Hill) is 20 minutes away. Both towns have more extensive amenities.
