Leaving Salisbury by what is called the “Upper Road” to Amesbury, one
travels across a tract of bleak and rather uninteresting downs. About
two miles from Salisbury (on the left) Old Sarum stands up conspicuously,
and is the only object of interest till one arrives at Amesbury, eight
miles distant from Salisbury. Amesbury calls itself a town, and boasts
of several shops and the telegraph. A railway station is in process of
construction. In Aubrey’s times Amesbury was celebrated for its tobacco
pipes, marked with a gauntlet, the name of the maker. Of these, several
specimens are to be found in the museum at Salisbury.
Returning to Salisbury from Amesbury, and taking “the Bourne” route,
there is a beautiful drive winding along the banks of the Avon. I give a
short account of the most interesting places the traveller meets with on
his homeward journey.