The lane was once part of the main route between Weymouth and London. Wick is an old name for a dairy farm. However, in this case the name is more likely to have derived from ‘Wic’, the Saxon word for a hamlet, as Wick was in effect a separate, albeit scattered, settlement until the mid to late 1960s when the Wick House Estate (Barnaby Close, Catherine Crescent, Elizabeth Close, Joanna Close and Marie Avenue) and Greenacres developments connected it to the main village. The area was also formerly known as Weeke.

NORTH SIDE (from junction with The Headlands)

Cardair

This property and White Gates are constructed on the former site of a pair of cottages, which although allowed to be demolished had been a Grade II listed building. The listing description was: Late C18. Two- storeys, brick, hipped thatch roof swept down on West end over shed. The South front has three irregular casement windows, the upper leaded and the lower C19, and two ledged doors in the centre. A very picturesque pair.

White Gates

See Cardair.

Former occupiers (of cottages): Gerald Sainsbury (1930s-1950s); Albert Tanner (1930s-1950s); (of Cardair): Arthur Downer (1980s); (of White Gates): Kenneth W Greenfield (1960s).

17 Wick Lane

Former occupiers: Mr Penny; R G Whitmarsh (1960s).

18 Wick Lane

Former occupiers: Arthur J England (1960s).

Allotments

Wick Farm

Formerly known as Lower Wick Farm.

Wick Farmhouse is a grade II listed building, upgraded from Grade III.

Listing description: Farmhouse. Early C18. Flemish bond brick, tiled roof, brick stacks. 2-span roof. 2-storey, 5- window. Central 6-panelled door with timber-framed canopy, blind windows either side and C20 metal casements to left and right. 3-brick plat band to first floor; two 3-light and one 2- light casement and two blind windows to first floor. Two hipped dormers to roof. Gable-end brick stacks, external stack on right return has limestone plinth and tumbling-in of offsets, latticed leaded casement to left, to right is 6-panelled door and casement to first floor. Left return has one blocked window and some limestone and flint chequers to base of wall, C20 window to ground floor and 2-light casement to first floor. Rear has C20 windows to ground floor and two 2- light leaded casements to first floor. Single-storey extension attached to right. Unusual datestones; on west wall 'lst June 1732', on north wall 'WC Esq/June 16th 1772'. Interior has chamfered lintel to open fireplace with bread ovens, late C18 eared fireplace to first floor with fluted frieze and mid-Victorian marble fireplace in west room. Stairs with turned balusters.

The following buildings are also grade II (upgraded from grade III) listed buildings in their own right:

Granary to south east of Wick Farmhouse
Listing description: Granary. Early C18. Flemish garden wall bond brick, half-hipped tiled roof, on staddlestones. Planked door on south side, two shuttered windows on west wall. 2-storey interior has chamfered beam with runout stops to first floor. 2-bay roof with butt purlins.

Barn to west of Wick Farmhouse
Listing description: Two attached barns on same axis. C17, extended early C19. Weatherboarding on timber frame, with English bond brick plinth; gabled corrugated asbestos roof. Each barn of 5 bays with central threshing floor. One pair of double doors on east side, one hipped porch on west side of south barn; inserted mid C20 entry to south gable. Interior: roof of C17 north barn has jowled posts braced to tie beams with raking struts to collars and straight windbraces to two tiers of butt purlins; aisled to west side. Early C19 south barn has similar roof of sawn timbers with one tier of butt purlins.

The farm was occupied in the 17th Century by the Saunders family. One of whom left for America in 1635, where he became a member of the General High Court, surveyor for the colony and a magistrate. The farm house was enlarged by William Coles in 1772.

Mrs Warren of Wick Farm became Downton’s first female councillor in September 1915.

Former occupiers: The Saunders family (17th Century); William Coles (18th Century);Ernest G Warren JP (1915- 1935); Mrs Warren (1953); James Warren (1964)

SOUTH SIDE (from junction with The Headlands)

1 West Hay

1, 2 and 3 West Hay are constructed on the site of a larger, now demolished, dwelling named West Hay.

2 West Hay

See 1 West Hay.

3 West Hay

See 1 West Hay.

Flowerfield

Former occupiers: Mr Holman.

Kirkfieldbank

Former occupiers: John Fowler-Smith (1964).

1 Wick Lane

1 to 8 Wick Lane were the first council houses built in the village, on land purchased from Longford Estate by Salisbury and Wilton Rural District Council. They were completed in 1921 by the Downton firm of Downer and Bailey, at a cost of £7808 11 shillings (£7808.55).

Former occupiers: W R Skeates 1921 Edwin Ditum (1935); Mrs Ditum (1953- 1964).

2 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Thomas Tasker (1935); Arthur Gundry (1964).

3 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Percy Watts (Jobbing Gardener) (1935); W Dyer (1964).

4 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Mrs Everett (1935); Wilfred Everett (1953-1964).

9 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

10 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

11 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

Former occupiers: William John Mussell (1953); Mrs L M Mussell (1964).

12 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

Former occupiers: George Musselwhite (1953); Mrs F Musselwhite (1964).

13 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

Former occupiers: Mrs Stone (1953); E J Musselwhite (1964).

14 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

Former occupiers: Mrs L Sherwood (1964).

15 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

Former occupiers: John Smith (1964).

16 Wick Lane (via access between 4 Wick Lane and 5 Wick Lane)

Former occupiers: Mrs H Burdock (1953- 1964).

5 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Reginald Whatley (1935); Albert C Garrett (1953); G Garrett (1964).

6 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Joseph Matthews (1935); Harry Musselwhite (1953); Misses Stones (1964).

7 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Mr Carpenter.

8 Wick Lane

See 1 Wick Lane.

Former occupiers: Mr Greenstreet.

- Here is the junction with The Glades -

Brian Whitehead Sports Centre (‘BWSC’)

The complex currently includes The BWSC Association Social Club, The Sherwood Rooms, Downton Leisure Centre, Downton Football Club, Downton Bowling Club and Downton Tennis Club.

The names of two quite different, but equally stalwart, figures from Downton’s history are enshrined here - Doctor Brian Whitehead and Albert ‘Stubby’ Sherwood.

Downton Football Club was founded in 1905 and its former homes have included Gravel Close, Barford Lane and Long Close Park in The Borough. In 1925 Downton became the first winners of the Norman Court Cup, beating Alderbury in the final, and won the competition again on eight further occasions. The club has also won the Wilts Junior Cup, Wilts Senior Cup (twice), Bournemouth League Senior Division 1 (7 times), Bournemouth League Division 1 (5 times), Bournemouth Senior Cup (twice) and Bournemouth Senior League Cup (3 times) and currently plays in Wessex League Division One.

Downton Bowling Club was established by Ralph Bentley. The club's first bowling green had been in the playing field to the rear of the Primary School (see entry under Gravel Close).

The area now occupied by the current bowling green was formerly a chalk walled enclosure for sick farm animals.

- Here is the junction with Mesh Pond -

Wick Cottage

Former occupiers: Captain Robert F Wrottesley DSO RN (Retired) (1935- 1953); Rear-Admiral R W Armytage (1964).

1 White Row

Former occupiers: E Spreadbury; R Hill (1964).

2 White Row

Former occupiers: F Grace; Rex Hillman (1964).

3 White Row

Former occupiers: C Thomas; Peter Kellow (1964).

4 White Row

Former occupiers: H Page.

5 White Row

Former occupiers: Frederick Blake (1960s).

6 White Row

Former occupiers: A Compton; Leonard C Compton (1964).

Stable Cottage

A grade II listed building, upgraded from grade III.

Listing description: Detached cottage. C16. Square-panelled timber-framing with brick nogging, half-hipped tiled roof, brick stack. Baffle-entry, 3 bays. One storey and attic, 1 window. C20 door to right, 3-light and 2-light casement to left and single casement to right. Gabled dormer with 3-light casement to roof. Left return has one 2-light casement and two 1-light casements to attic. Right return has one 2-light casement to ground floor and attic. Rear has C20 casements and single-storey extension with tiled roof and dormer. Interior has chamfered beam with ogee stops in centre bay. RCHM recorded smoke- blackened roof timbers, suggesting that cottage formerly open to roof; first floor inserted in C17.

Former occupiers: Frederick Gilbert (1930s-1950s).

The Granary

Built on the former site of an old barn and cottage.

Former occupiers (of cottage): S Lawes.

1 Wick Farm Cottages

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 2 Wick Farm Cottages.

Listing description: Group of three cottages in row, now pair. Early Cl9. Flemish bond brick, hipped thatched roof, brick stacks. 2-storey, 6- window. Two planked doors and one blocked door to centre, six segmental- headed 2-light casements to ground and first floors. Rear is rendered and has C20 metal casements. Interior not inspected.

Former occupiers: S Gilbert.

2 Wick Farm Cottages

A grade II listed building - listed as a pair with 1 Wick Farm Cottages. See 1 Wick Farm Cottages for listing description.

Former occupiers: E Ashford.

Rosemary Cottage

A grade II listed building - listed with attached cartshed to left.

Listing description: Cottage with cartshed attached to left. C18 with mid C19 and C20 additions to cottage. Flemish bond brick to cottage, English bond brick rear wall to cartshed, tiled roofs, brick toothed stacks. 2- storey, 3-window. Outshut porch to left has planked door and raised roof with C20 2-light casement, two 2-light casements to right and one 3-light casement to C19 build. First floor has one single casement to left and 2- light casement to right. Right return has single leaded casement. Rear has 4- panelled C19 door to left and 3-light and 2-light casements to ground floor, slate-roofed verandah to ground floor. First floor has three 2-light casements. Interior has chamfered beam with step and runout stops, open fireplace with chamfered lintel and step and runout stops, planked doors. 5-bay cartshed has open front with posts, tie-beam roof with raking struts to collar.

Former occupiers: Alan G Egremont (1930s); Stephen Hill (1950s); Sidney Compton (1960s).

Hunters Lodge

Former occupiers: Tom Warren (1953- 1964).

Botleys Farm

Formerly known as Upper Wick Farm.

Former occupiers: Harold D Jeanes (1935); Brigadier V O Lonsdale (1964).

Cottages at Botleys Farm were formerly occupied by Mr Fulford and Mr Foulkes, and a bungalow by Mr Hinder.

Upper Wick Barn

Formerly known as Wick Down Barn.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES ON DOWNS TO WEST SIDE OF WICK LANE

Gallows Hill

The brow of the hill is on the parish boundary between Downton and Breamore.

Henry Dodington of Breamore House was convicted of the murder of his mother in 1629 and, it is said, was hanged ‘in sight of the house where he was untimely born’. (Source: Breamore Yesterday and Today (by Anthony Light and Gerald Ponting) (Charlewood Press 2005).

Great Yews

Although it is in the parish of Odstock, Pevsner comments on Great Yews under Downton as follows: 'Eight acres of yew trees, the largest with girths up to 18 feet'.

Grim's Ditch

Also known as Grim’s Dyke. PEVSNER (listed under Wilton): ‘A linear boundary dyke follows the top of the ridge for nearly 9 miles westwards from Grovely Hill, NW of Wilton. It comprises a low bank with a ditch along the N side and is clearly earlier than the Roman road which cuts it (near the A354 Blandford Road). It appears to be an Iron Age boundary associated with the settlements which lie on either side of it.

A section of the ditch follows the parish boundary between Downton and Breamore and crosses fields towards the Great Yews area.