Magna Mazda Garage

Formerly occupied by The Downton Motor Company, and previously owned by Mr Crisp.

During World War Two, the garage site was requisitioned by the army.

Ros Bennett: My great uncle Henry (Gray) (see also 31 The Borough) owned the village petrol station - I believe in the early days of motoring - situated on the main road between Salisbury and Bournemouth. My mother grew up in the house attached to the petrol station, and I have a lovely picture of it that takes pride of place in my home to this day. When Henry died I kept some ‘Pratts Motor Oil’ signs which had originally come from the garage and were languishing in his garden!

Radnor House

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Wrongly shown on O.S. map as Radnor Close. Detached house. Third quarter C18. Flemish bond brick, tiled roof with gable-end brick stacks. 2-span roof. 2-storey, 3- window front. Central 6-panelled door with fanlight in beaded case, semi- circular hood on brackets, 3-light casement to either side with cambered flat arches. First floor has three 2- light casements. Dentilled eaves. Right return has cast-iron casement to right and two small leaded lights to left, lighting inglenook fireplace. Rear has C20 porch and 3-light casement to ground floor, four 2-light casements to first floor. Interior has 4-panelled doors in moulded architraves to front range, rear range contains stairs and planked doors with strap hinges. Stone with number 18 on front, from 1784 survey.

Former occupiers: Mr Crisp (1930s); P Brown (1950s).

- Here is the small junction with The Borough -

3 The Headlands

The site of 1-3 The Headlands was previously occupied by three cottages known as The Tarrants. On 6 November 1867 the houses were burned down and the adjoining school (see separate entry under 2 The Borough) was only saved by the demolition of a ‘hut room’ and wooden fencing, before the fire could spread.

Former Occupiers: Frank Guislingham (1953).

2 The Headlands

See 3 The Headlands.

Former Occupiers: William Smith (1953).

1 The Headlands

See 3 The Headlands.

- Here is the main junction with The Borough -

The Bull Hotel Car Park

This is listed separately as it is the former site of the Crossroads Post Office and Shop, demolished circa 1970 to allow improvements to the road junction with The Borough.

Former occupiers of shop: James William Parsons (1935); Mrs J W Parsons (Grocer and Sub-Post Mistress) (1953-1964)

The Bull Hotel

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Inn. Early C18. Flemish bond brick, tiled roofs, brick stacks. 5-bay central range with converted stable block to right and rear wings. 2-storey, 5-window main range with single storey and attic range to right. C19 half-glazed door in beaded case with flat wooden hood on finely carved console brackets, to left and right are canted bays with 4- pane sashes, to right are two 3-light casements and four 9-pane sashes, all with segmental heads. First floor has 3-brick plat band, two 2-light and two 3-light casements with one blind window, to right are two dormers, one louvred and one with 2-light casement. Main range has four hipped dormers with cast-iron latticed casements. To left is C19 attached bay with through cart-entry with double planked doors with strap hinges and canted bay window to both floors. Coped tile verges to right range. To rear left is converted stable block with tiled roof. Main range has outshut and two attached 2-storey wings with 2-light casements. Interior has chamfered beams with step and runout stops. Late C18 fireplace has fluted frieze and beaded surround. Sun Insurance Company disc on front. Recorded as an inn in 1726.

Extracts from 'The Bull at Downton', a paper by E A Clough, December 1969:
‘It may be that the Bull first became established as a licensed inn at about the same time as Sir Thomas Gorges was building Longford Castle between 1574 and 1651. However, the first reference in historical documents that has so far been traced is that all borough properties were numbered, the Bull Inn being burbage number 73. In 1782 it was conveyed by the Earl of Shaftesbury to a lawyer, who in 1783 conveyed numbers 72-74 to William Lucas of Odstock, farmer. At this time the Bull was occupied by Anne Warne, widow. In 1785, numbers 72-74 passed to Jacob, Second Earl of Radnor, as part of a general sale of Lord Shaftesbury's property in Downton. The Bull was leased by Lord Radnor in 1786 to William Moore. The 1791 Directory of Wiltshire shows Joseph Grace as being at The Bull at that time.
There is then a gap until 1842 when Pigot's Directory shows William Todd as being at The Bull. During this half- century The Bull was a well established coaching house. Even with the introduction of the railway from London to Salisbury The Bull maintained a linking coach service, and a notice in G Harrod's Commercial Directory of Wiltshire reads 'Coach to Salisbury from The Bull every afternoon to meet the up-train to London, returning every day at Noon'. The proprietor at this time was George Bailey. An earlier directory - Slater's National Directory 1852/53 does not mention coaches and gives the licensee as James Jackson. George Bailey is given as the landlord of The Bull from 1865 to 1880. The next reference is in 1895 when Thomas Dixon is given as landlord. He was succeeded by Mrs Mary Dixon in 1899.
In 1907 and 1911 William Holman is landlord and he was succeeded by Mrs A Holman who appears in various directories up to 1927. It was during Mrs Holman's occupation that the first reference appears to fishing in association with the hotel, for in 1923 it was announced that there was one mile of course fishing on the River Avon available. In 1931 F Ling is given as landlord and for the first time a telephone number is given - it was 27. This number changed to 74 in 1935 when Flight Lieutenant L A Parker, late RAF, became proprietor. He remained proprietor for some years, the last entry referring to him is in 1950. Edmund Harris is given as proprietor up to 1959 when The Bull was taken over by Peter and Mary Scott- Newman.’

The Bull was next taken over in the early 1980s by David and Andrea Gregory At that time it was owned by the Courage Brewery.

Flight Lieutenant Parker, known as ‘The Skipper’, was an acknowledged fishing expert. His classic text book, ‘This Fishing – or Angling Arts and Artifices’, was first published in 1948 by Cleaver Hume. He took over The Bull in March 1932 and established its reputation as a fishing hotel. Anglers from the four corners will turn misty eyed at the mention of the ‘Board Room’, where they would talk about the days adventures into the early hours – a tradition continued by Messrs Harris and Scott-Newman. The Skipper retired in May 1950 when he moved down the Avon to Bickton Mill. He died on 3 February 1959 at the age of 72.

In this case the bull is not only a male cow, but also a male trout. See separate entry under The Millenium Green in Moot Gardens for The Bull fishing water.

In the 1970s the telephone number of The Bull was Downton 20374.

‘Through all the years and landlords, the traditional atmosphere of friendly hospitality has been maintained. I like Downton particularly just because of The Bull’ (Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald, Portrait Of The New Forest - Robert Hale 1966).

Springfield

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Detached house. Late C18. Plastered brick, tiled roof with gable-end brick stacks. 2-span roof. 2-storey, 3-window symmetrical front. Central C20 door with 6 fielded panels, fanlight in round-arched case with keystone and pilasters, either side is 16-pane flush sash with moulded keystone. First floor has three 16-pane sashes with moulded keystones flanking pilasters. Dentilled eaves. Roof has two hipped dormers with 6-pane sashes. Right return has French windows, 16-pane sash and small sash, 12-pane sash to attic. Interior has doors with 6 fielded panels to front range, chamfered beams.

The following building is also a grade II listed building in its own right:

Summerhouse at Springfield
Listung description: Summerhouse. Possibly late C18. Cob, thatched conical roof. Circular. Planked door with casement either side. Interior not inspected.

Former occupiers: Mrs K Brown (1935); James G Gray (1953-1964).

Malt House

This site was previously the first home of the World famous Downton Engineering Works Limited, founded by Daniel and Bunty Richmond.

Downsview

Part of this property was formerly occupied by Mr Mizen's cycle shop and the Country Cottage Workshop.

The Cottage

Former Occupiers: Albert Hatton (1930s- 1950s).

The Grey Cottage

Former Occupiers: R Gilbert (1960s); Andrew ‘Spike’ Newman; Andrew Savage.

Burn Out Bikes

Former occupiers: Henry Gray; Mike Lane Motors (Motor Cycle Agents and Dealers - Telephone Downton 288) (1960s-1970s).

West View

The Headlands Post Office

Former occupiers: Charles E Fowle (Confectioner) (1935); Peter Fowle (Confectioner) (1953); R Fowle (Newsagent) (1964).

Long View

Constructed in 1904. Formerly a general provisions shop and antiques showroom, now occupied by The Barber Shop and three flats.

Former occupiers Mrs N E Bealing (1964).

WEST SIDE

Wick Lodge

Former occupiers: Charles Samuel Coppin (1935); Mrs Coppin (1953); Henry J Stratton (1950s-1960s).

Frank Grenfell: Wick Lodge was the gardener's cottage for the school (at Wick House, see entry under Mesh Pond). The inhabitants were the Stratton family. Occasionally I would spend the night in their house and I probably wasted a lot of his time as gardener. Among other things I remember riding my bicycle around the machine as he mowed the lawns, trying to get as close to the mower as I could without actually colliding. If he complained to my parents I don't know - I never heard any more about it.

- Here is the junction with Marie Avenue -

Lancaster Cottage

Formerly a grade III listed building, listed as a pair with The Thatched Cottage as Two cottages North of lodge to Wick House.

Former listing description: Early C19.

Former Occupiers: Edgar Noble (1930s- 1950s).

The Thatched Cottage

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III. Listed as Cottage adjoining Vine Cottage on the south.

Listing description: Semi-detached cottage. Late C17. Irregular bond in thin bricks, thatched roof with gable- end brick stacks. 2-storey, 3-window. Central planked door in segmental- headed opening, either side are 3- light casements with projecting flat arches. First floor has 2-brick plat band, 2-light casement with 4-light casement to left and right. Right return in English bond brick, two oval windows to first floor above plat band, two oval windows to attic. Rear has C19 outshut. Interior has chamfered beams with step and runout stops, stairs in C19 outshut, C19 refitting. The No 45 incised on stone, on front, relates to survey of 1784.

Former Occupiers: Arthur Newman (1950s); Mrs Newman (1960s).

- Here is the junction with Hyde Lane -

Vine Cottage

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Semi-detached cottage. C16, C17 bay added to south, rebuilding of front wall c1800. Flemish stretcher bond brick to front, refacing of a timber-frame, thatched roof with brick stacks. Outshut. 2- storey, 3-window front. Half-glazed door with thatched canopy to right of centre, to left are two 2-light casements, one 2-light casement to right. First floor has three 2-light casements. Brick stacks have toothed capping. Left return has tile-hung first floor, with fishscale tiles, and two single casements. To rear is rebuilt outshut replacing integral outshut, C20 eyebrow dormers. RCHM recorded evidence of smoke-blackening in roof, C17 chamfered beam with runout stops to inserted ceiling. C16 origin as cottage open to roof, similar to The Cottage to which it is attached.

Former occupiers: Harold Stone (1964).

67 The Headlands (The Cottage)

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Semi-detached cottage. 3-bay C16, late C17 remodelling, late C18 rebuilding and heightening of front. Flemish stretcher bond brick, thatched roof with brick stack. Outshut. 2-storey, 3- window front. Stable-door has thatched canopy, to right and left are two 2- light casements with segmental heads and shutters. First floor has three 2- light casements. Right return has one 2-light and one single casement with C20 fixed window to first floor. Brick stack with toothing. Rear has C20 rebuilt outshut and C20 eyebrow dormers. Interior has C17 ceiling beam with ogee stops, planked door with strap hinges, chimney in centre of 3 bays. Similar history to Vine Cottage to which it is attached; open to the roof and timber-framed in C16, but possibly with a chimney, C17 ceiling and stone stack and subsequent remodelling in late C18.

Former occupiers: Wilfred G Sivyour (1960s).

Anvil Cottage

A grade II listed building, upgraded from Grade III, listed as a pair with Violet Cottage.

Listing description: Pair of cottages, in a row. Late C18. Flemish bond brick, tiled roof with brick stacks. 2- storey, 3-window front. Two 4-panelled doors and three 3-light leaded casements with segmental heads. First floor has three 2-light casements. Straight joint between left bay and two right bays. Left return is plastered with one casement to first floor. Rear of Anvil Cottage has attached C19 extension with 2-light casements, rear of other cottage has C19 and C20 extensions. The number 69 incised on stone on front relates to a survey of 1784.

Former Occupiers: Frederick Ayles (1950s); Mrs Ayles (1960).

Violet Cottage

A grade II listed building, upgraded from Grade III, listed as a pair with with Anvil Cottage. See Anvil Cottage for listing description.

Former Occupiers: Frederick Troutt (1930s-1950s); Miss E Troutt (1960s).

Lilac Cottage

Formerly a grade III listed building.

Former listing description: Early C19.

This was the home of Lynn ?, the secretary to John Creasey, the thriller writer, who lived at New Hall in Bodenham.

- Here is the junction with Crossways Close -

Crossways

A grade II listed building. Crossways was formerly part of Headlands House.

Listing description: Semi-detached house. Mid-C19. Flemish bond brick, Welsh slate roof with brick stacks. L- plan, 2-storey, 5-window front. 4- panelled door in panelled case with cornice to right of centre, to right is 9-pane sash with margin panes and square bay window, to left is tripartite sash and square bay window. First floor has four 9-pane sashes with margin panes and flat arches, and one 2-light casement to left. Brick pilasters with simple capitals to left and right. Two gables have wavy barge- boards, brick stacks with moulded capping and decorated pots. Left return has same barge-boards and no windows. Rear has wrought-iron glazed verandah to ground floor, tripartite sashes and sashes with margin panes, attached to right is single-storey extension with barge-boards, attached to left is 2-storey wing with margin- pane sashes. Interior not inspected.

Headlands House

A grade II listed building, listed under Crossways. See Crossways for listing description.

The Honorable Adolphus Graves, of Headlands House, was related to the war poet Robert Graves and Thomas, First Baron Graves, who surrendered the British fleet during the American War of Independence. His son, Major Evelyn Paget Graves of the Royal Flying Corps, was shot down over France on 6 March 1917 and is the highest ranked officer named on the Downton War Memorial (see separate entry under Downton Memorial Hall, The Borough). It was once suggested he had been shot down by Freiherr von Richtoften the Elder – The Red Baron – although this is now thought to be unlikely.

Former occupiers: The Honorable Adolphus Edward Paget Graves; Miss Ruth Squarey (1935-1953).

Rossiter House

A grade II listed building.

Listing description: Semi-detached house. c.1860. Flemish bond brick, tiled roof, brick stacks. 2-storey, 3- window symmetrical front. Centre bay breaks forward; central door with two vertical panels and a Gothic fanlight, panelled reveals, to either side is one 4-pane sash. First floor has three 4-pane sashes; all with flat arches. Toothed eaves cornice. To rear is outshut with sashes. Interior not inspected. Included primarily for group value with Crossways, adjoining to south.

Mrs Griffiths operated a fruit and veg stall from one of the front windows of the house.

Former occupiers: Mrs Holman (1930s); Mrs Griffiths (1950s); Norman Drinkwater (1960s).

Forge House

1 New Cottages

New Cottages were constructed in the early 1980s on the site of a pair of demolished cottages, which had been a Grade III listed building (listing description: Late C18 - early C19).

Former occupiers (of old cottages):Charlie Dredge; George Biffin.

2 New Cottages

See 1 New Cottages.