National Character Area 132 - Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs : Key Characteristics

Salisbury Plain, an extensive and open rolling chalk plateau and one of the largest remaining areas of calcareous grassland in north-west Europe.

Many small, sheltered river valleys, such as the Wylye, with narrow flood plains and meandering river courses.

Woodland generally confined to valley slopes, with scattered copses and shelterbelts (usually of beech or conifer) found on the high downs, and occasional ancient oak woods on the ridgetops.

Large arable fields predominate, with generally very few hedgerows or obvious boundary features; there are often wide grass buffer strips.

Rare flora and fauna of national significance, associated with a chalk landscape, from stone curlew, hobby and corn bunting to dropwort, early gentian and slender bedstraw.

Outstanding prehistoric ritual landscape, with many Scheduled Ancient Monuments and earthworks prominent in the open landscape, notably Stonehenge.

Distinctive chalk-cut figures – generally large horses – post-dating the medieval period.

A sparsely settled landscape, with few settlements of any size, and notable for nucleated villages at the foot of the scarp along the springline. Large-scale farmsteads are a prominent feature.

Abundant use made in older buildings of local stone such as flint, Chilmark stone and clunch, together with timber frame and chalk cob.

Large parks and estates found in the valleys, with related groups of estate housing in common style.

Salisbury, an ecclesiastical centre since the early medieval period and now a tourist and local administration centre, with a well-preserved historic core, and a cathedral whose spire has long been a feature in the surrounding landscape.

Military tracks, airfields and structures reflecting a major land use. Visually prominent modern military housing and supporting development are found in the eastern side of the NCA.