Characteristics of Area
The Kennet District lies within an area which is renowned for it's high quality environment. Covering 375 square miles Kennet adjoins the Districts of Swindon, North Wiltshire, West Wiltshire and Salisbury.
Largely rural and agricultural in character, it boasts some of the finest landscapes in England with some 60% designated An Area of Outstanding Beauty as part of the North Wessex Downs, and a further 20% has been appointed a Special Landscape Area. Follow to find out more (External link)
The Vale of Pewsey cuts through the middle of the district, separating the chalk hills of the Marlborough Downs in the north with the vast expanse of Salisbury Plain to the south. This route is also followed by the main railway service in the District and the Kennet and Avon canal.
Other significant valleys have been cut into the chalk by the River Kennet to the north, in contrast to the west of the District where the chalk uplands give way to the clay vale which continues through to West Wiltshire.
The area has been inhabited since early times resulting in visible evidence of a spectacular nature ranging from the Avebury complex of monuments to the Norman castle at Ludgershall. Achievements of a later age include the Kennet and Avon canal, with it's famous flight of locks near Devizes and Steam driven pump engine at Crofton, to solitary monuments in the landscape such as Wilton Windmill.
Not forgetting the white chalk horses which dominate the hillsides. Five of the eight visible Wiltshire horses can be in Kennet. The main settlements of Kennet are the historic market towns of Devizes and Marlborough. Pewsey Ludgershall and Tidworth are other significant centres of population, however over half the area's population live in the extensive network of villages and hamlets scattered throughout the District
Easily accessible by car, the M4 motorway lies to the north of the District and the A303 trunk road is located to the south. Major rail links are provided from Paddington with stations at Great Bedwyn and Pewsey. Bus services run frequently from Swindon, Salisbury and Bath with connections to most of Kennet's towns and villages.