| Great Wishford | |
St Giles Church, Great Wishford |
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Great Wishford
Great Wishford shown within Wiltshire |
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| Population | 300 |
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| OS grid reference | SU080354 |
| Unitary authority | Wiltshire |
| Ceremonial county | Wiltshire |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SALISBURY |
| Postcode district | SP2 |
| Dialling code | 01722 |
| Police | Wiltshire |
| Fire | Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | Great Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Wiltshire | |
Great Wishford is a village in the Wylye Valley in Wiltshire, 3 miles north of Wilton, Wiltshire and approximately 5 miles northwest of Salisbury. It is situated at a curve in the Wylye river, and has a triangular street layout comprising South Street, West Street and Station Road.
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The village pre-dates the Norman conquest of 1066, but was only a Hamlet at this time. The name has evolved over the years, with recorded names including Wicheford (meaning a ford where wych-elms grow), Witford, Willesford Magna (mid-16th century) and Wishford Magna (early 17th century).
It is one of the few villages that still celebrates Oak Apple Day on 29 May each year. On this day, Great Wishford villagers claim their ancient rights to collect wood from Grovely Wood. This tradition is said to date back to 1603, when the charter of rights to collect wood in the Royal Forest of Groveley was confirmed by the Forest Court. The rights themselves date back several centuries before 1603. It is a matter of debate whether this tradition has been kept up continuously since the 17th century, or whether it was revived / re-invented in the late 19th century.
The events of a modern oak apple day include a "band" waking the villagers in the early hours of the morning, gathering oak branches from the woods at dawn, a village breakfast in the local pub (Royal Oak), then onto Salisbury, where there is dancing outside the Cathedral followed by claiming rights inside the cathedral by shouting "Grovely, Grovely, Grovely and all Grovely". (Although the charter requires just three 'Grovely's, tradition demands four - "Three for the charter and one for us", as it's usually expressed.) In the afternoon there is a formal meal, and other events for villagers in Oak Apple Field.
These days, most villagers put more effort into claiming their rights than in exercising them: the handcarts used to transport wood from Grovely seem to have entirely disappeared.
The village has a pub (the Royal Oak), a school (Great Wishford Church of England Primary School), a church (St Giles, Wishford Magna, Diocese of Salisbury), and a post office (which has quite limited opening hours and no longer performs the function of village store). There is also a cricket pitch and a children's play area (re-modelled in spring 2009) which are shared with the neighbouring village of South Newton.
The Wylye river runs to the east of Great Wishford, and has a good reputation for trout fishing. Wilton Fly Fishing Club, which is one of England's oldest angling clubs, is based in the village.
The A36 trunk road runs along the Wylye valley across the river from the village.
Great Wishford had a railway station on the Salisbury branch line (Great Western Railway) from 1856 until its closure in 1955. Trains now pass through the village without stopping on the line between Salibury and Bristol. Bungalows have been built where the station platform used to be, and the station master's house is now a private home.
The National Cycle Network route 24 and the Monarch's Way long distance footpath pass close to the village. Full details of public rights of way in the parish of Great Wishford are here.
Like many villages in that part of Wiltshire, there is a strong community spirit, with many events organized throughout the year that bring villagers together, including talent shows, cultural evenings, a duck race, breakfast at station house etc.
Visitors to Great Wishford can stay in the village at the post-office (which has bed and breakfast rooms) and at the small caravan site.