Cranborne Chase is one of England's most remarkable landscapes and the place we are fortunate to call home. Spanning parts of Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire, this vast area of rolling chalk downland, ancient woodland and river valleys covers almost 1,000 square kilometres. Downton Distillery sits within its heart on Wick Down, surrounded by a landscape that influences much of what we create.
The Chase is recognised nationally for its outstanding natural beauty and extraordinary biodiversity. Wildflower meadows support a rich variety of pollinators, butterflies and birds, while ancient woodlands provide refuge for countless species. The chalk soils create unique growing conditions, supporting plants and herbs that have shaped local food, drink and wildlife for centuries.
One of the Chase's most remarkable qualities emerges after dark. As an International Dark Sky Reserve, it offers some of the finest stargazing in Britain. On clear evenings, the Milky Way is often visible overhead, a sight that has become increasingly rare elsewhere due to light pollution.
The landscape is equally rich in history. Cranborne Chase was once a royal hunting ground where monarchs and nobles held exclusive hunting rights across the estate. Evidence of this past remains scattered throughout the countryside in ancient boundaries, tracks and historic landmarks.
Human activity here stretches back thousands of years. Neolithic monuments, Bronze Age burial mounds, Iron Age hillforts and Roman roads all remain visible across the landscape, telling the story of generations who have lived and travelled across these downs.
Nearby, the famous Fovant Badges cut into the chalk hillsides overlook the countryside, while the Royal Oak at Swallowcliffe, owned by James May, sits beneath the slopes of Ansty Down. From the distillery, overlooked by Gallows Hill, the wider Chase stretches towards the horizon, providing constant inspiration for the spirits we create.
Come and visit us to discover it wonders.
